Taking place from 1 to 7 December, SG Cares Giving Week 2024 is the pinnacle highlight of the Great Singapore Give, one of the preludes to the SG60 celebrations in 2025
SINGAPORE, 2 December 2024 – The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), in collaboration with the SG Cares Office and National Council of Social Service (NCSS), launched the annual SG Cares Giving Week (SCGW) on 1 December 2024 to encourage individuals, groups and organisations to give to charitable causes during this season of giving.
SCGW 2024 takes place between 1-7 December 2024 and involves close to 50 partners from the people, private and public sectors. It also includes diverse giving activations, events and opportunities taking place online and in-person to encourage Singaporeans to give their time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony to the community.
‘Everyone Can Give’ This Giving Season
Under the theme ‘Everyone Can Give’, this year’s SCGW seeks to instill the message that everyone can give to the causes they are passionate about in Singapore.
Held as the pinnacle highlight of the Great Singapore Give (18 Nov 2024 – 25 Feb 2025), SCGW 2024 aligns closely with the SG60 theme of ‘Building Our Singapore Together’. Through the different partner events, campaigns and initiatives, SCGW aims to create opportunities for everyone—whether they are individuals, organisations, charities or groups— to connect with one another and to help those in need.
Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, said, “SG Cares Giving Week is a meaningful time for us to reflect on what we have and how we can give back to our community, whether by volunteering, donating, or simply reaching out to help someone in need. Every act of giving, no matter how small, strengthens the bonds that make our society more nurturing and inclusive. As we celebrate SG60 next year, I encourage everyone to do something to show care for the community.”
Showing Care to the Community through Diverse Initiatives and Opportunities
Close to 50 giving opportunities will take place during SCGW 2024 involving partners from the corporate and non-profit sectors, to provide Singaporeans diverse avenues to contribute to causes that they support. Some examples of these opportunities include:
- Action for Singapore Dogs is launching their “Happy Howlidays” campaign. The initiative not only brings festive cheer to shelter dogs through special outings and treats but also raises awareness about responsible pet ownership and the importance of giving these animals a second chance at finding loving homes.
- Supporting the environmental cause, Hello Little Chompers is combining eco-conscious retail with charitable giving by donating $1 to WWF for every packaging piece saved through their circular system. Their “Waves of Change” campaign aims to provide heartfelt and eco-friendly gift options through the brands they curate, as well as through their business practices.
- UOB will be organising a Christmas charity pop-up event on 4 and 5 December at the UOB Plaza Atrium to help raise funds for the Bank’s key corporate social responsibility partner, Community Chest. Charities and social enterprises such as Extra.Ordinary People, Flour Power, New Life Stories and The Art Faculty will be selling a variety of gifts and bakes at the Christmas charity bazaar. All proceeds will go directly to the causes which the charities and social enterprises support. UOB volunteers will also be carolling twice daily to spread the holiday cheer joined by vocalists from Extra.Ordinary People during the lunch-time sessions.
- In the healthcare sector, Sing’theatre will be having the Singathon, which aims to raise $60,000 to bring live music to public hospitals, enriching the lives of patients, families, and caregivers through performances and community outreach.
For the full list of giving opportunities happening during SCGW, refer to Annex A.
Nurturing the Love for Volunteering through Learning Journeys
To encourage more Singaporeans to contribute their time and talent, SCGW is incorporating Volunteering Learning Journeys for the first time as part of the week-long celebration. Members of the public can sign up for these journeys to have an introductory experience or a trial to volunteerism with different charities, without committing to the usual requirements. These journeys are intended to ease potential volunteers into the experience, so that they would not be overwhelmed. A total of four organisations will be offering six learning journeys throughout the week.
These journeys are different in that they still involve hands-on involvement, rather than a tour of the organisations, without requiring a minimum commitment as compared to usual volunteering opportunities. The intention is to inspire participants to take their first steps or deepen their commitment to giving back. Those who are interested can sign up at www.giving.sg/content/volunteer-learning-journeys
For the list of learning journeys available during SCGW, refer to Annex B. Members of the media are also invited to participate in the Volunteering Learning Journeys, please reach out to NVPC.
Tony Soh, CEO of NVPC, says, “SG Cares Giving Week celebrates the spirit of care, compassion and collaboration that defines Singapore’s giving culture. As we prepare to mark Singapore’s 60th year of independence in 2025, NVPC is thrilled to kickstart the celebrations through SG Cares Giving Week, reflecting our shared commitment to care for one another and inspiring everyone to play a part in fostering a more caring, inclusive and compassionate Singapore.”
For more information about SG Giving Cares Week 2024, please visit: www.giving.sg/giving-week
For more information about Great Singapore Give 2024 visit: www.giving.sg/great-singapore-give.
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