Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law,

Mrs Mildred Tan, Chairman, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC),

Ms Anita Fam, President, National Council of Social Service (NCSS)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. I am pleased to join you today at the launch of the SG Cares Giving Week – a national effort to bring people from all walks of life together to celebrate the spirit of giving in Singapore.

This inaugural SG Cares Giving Week is the fruit of a tripartite partnership between the SG Cares Office, NVPC, and NCSS. Through this platform, I hope we can highlight the collective efforts of individuals, businesses and organisations that have been working together to build a Singapore that cares.

The spirit of caring has carried us through many challenges in the past, and I am certain that it would continue to do so in the current crisis. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many Singaporeans have been stepping up to help others in our society. I hope that this initiative will catalyse even more of such good deeds. 

For example, in support of the SG Cares Giving Week, Heartware Network will be partnering students from the National Junior College to prepare and distribute care packs to seniors. I am glad to see our youths rallying together to care for our seniors and providing support to those in need during this difficult time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also made it challenging for charities to raise funds. This is why the SG Cares Giving Week Fund has been set up to support the smaller charities in Singapore. All proceeds from the SG Cares Giving Week Fund will be disbursed to eligible charities.

Beyond fundraising, SG Cares Giving Week also aims to remind us that little acts, when amplified by the community, can make a world of difference. I am glad that several organisations are giving back in a different way during this festive season.

One example is Singtel, which has partnered various social service agencies to empower seniors with digital tools and skills for them to remain socially active. Singtel volunteers will teach seniors how to embrace technology and use digital devices for virtual engagement to ease their social isolation.

Another example is SAFRA, which will be mobilising their resources to spread festive cheer through its “Gift for A Reason” initiative. NSmen and their families can give back to the community by donating gifts to fulfil the wishes of less fortunate children or providing food packs to low-income households. Such efforts are made possible with the help of SG Cares Volunteer Centres, which tap on their social service networks on ground to assist in the distribution of these items to 1,400 beneficiaries.

In addition, e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada and Carousell have leveraged their online marketplace expertise so that charities like the Community Chest can raise funds through the sales of merchandise, allowing us to do good while we shop. 

I am also glad that Maybank is contributing towards the President’s Challenge Empowering for Life Fund by encouraging the public to start their own fundraising campaigns on Giving.sg, and matching funds raised up to $180,000.

Giving is empowering. It is with this in mind that we launch the SG Cares Giving Week, to inspire more Singaporeans to give back to our society, and make Singapore a more caring and inclusive home for all. To raise awareness of a social cause that you are passionate about, you can also share your inspiring Giving Stories on your social media platforms, to ignite the giving spirit within the community and inspire others to support your cause.

In closing, I would like to thank the SG Cares Office, NVPC, and NCSS for rallying the wider community to come on board this meaningful national effort. As we enter the festive season, let us not forget to keep the giving and caring spirit at the centre of it all. Together, we can make greater impact in helping the vulnerable groups in our society. Thank you.