By Melissa Sim

THIS year, the Community Chest is setting its sights on the highest fund-raising target in its 26-year history: $52.6 million.

That is $3 million more than what was raised last year for families, children, the disabled and the elderly, and $14.6 million more than what was raised for these groups a decade ago.

The reason is that more families hit by the economic downturn need help - just when companies similarly hit by the downturn are trimming their donations.

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