Giving Week 2020 - 6 ways to give back during this festive season

SG Cares Giving Week 2020

We’re almost at the finish line of the unexpected year 2020 has been, and with the festive season coming up, we now have a reason to relax and enjoy our celebrations. But as we stuff our faces with decadent meals and treat ourselves to nice gifts, we should also give some thought to those who are less fortunate.

Good news is, you can easily offer a helping hand with SG Cares Giving Week 2020 from 1st – 7th December 2020. This event is jointly organised by SG Cares, NVPC (National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre) and NCSS (National Council of Social Service), and is partnering with many prominent names like UNIQLO and Shopee to help us reap some karma points.

From customising T-shirts to online shopping, here are six unique ways you can give back this festive season.

1. Shop on Lazada to support non-profit organisations

Image credit: Club Rainbow

We usually log on to Lazada to get everything from the latest tech gadgets to affordable fashion accessories from big-name brands. But during SG Cares Giving Week 2020, we can also help out a couple of non-profit organisations who are selling their merchandise on the shopping platform.

Simply head on over to the Lazada stores of these charities:

When you buy a product, the funds will go directly to these beneficiaries. Think beautiful tote bags, batik pouches, calendars and an assortment of arts and crafts created by those in their care. P.S. These make great Christmas gifts too.

When: Till 12th December 2020
Visit the Lazada SG Cares Giving Week website.

2. Harvest trees on Shopee Farm to donate $1

Image adapted from: Shopee

This festive season, you’ll be able to reap an extra abundant harvest on Shopee Farm, a popular Shopee game where you earn vouchers simply by “watering” your plant regularly.

As part of the “Shopee Giving Tree” campaign, you’ll earn attractive vouchers from brands like foodpanda, Häagen-Dazs and UOB. Shopee will also donate $1 to the SG Cares Giving Week Fund for every successful tree harvested.

This is a win-win situation for everyone here, as all you have to do is care for your virtual farm to give back to society. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can give back easily anytime from now till Christmas day – just purchase a care pack for those in need or donate via the Shopee Digital Donation drive.

When: 1st – 7th December, 15th -19th December.
Download the Shopee mobile app

3. Customise UNIQLO T-shirts with exclusive customised stickers

Image adapted from: UNIQLO

UNIQLO T-shirts are a wardrobe staple and one way to level up your shirts is by personalising them with the UTme! service – a T-shirt customisation service available only at their Orchard Central flagship store.

UNIQLO has also partnered with Community Chest to launch eight unique stickers designed by creative individuals with special needs, each design being inspired by the artist’s perspective and the challenges they face daily.

70% of the total sales from the campaign will also go back to the Community Chest and the charity causes they support.

When: Till 31st December 2020
Visit the UNIQLO website.

4. Donate to a children’s home while getting deals on Fave

Image adapted from: Fave

Fave’s deals have come in handy whenever we want to save some cash on that spa treatment or Subway meal. During SG Cares Giving Week 2020, they’re giving us an easy way to spread some cheer with their Season of Giving Christmas campaign.

On top of snapping up your usual staycay or beauty deals, you can also make a donation. When you donate $10, you’ll be buying a hot, piping meal for a child at the Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home. Similarly, a donation of $30 will help them with school supplies, and $50 will provide them with grocery vouchers for the home.

When: Till 31st December 2020
Visit the Fave website

5. Watch short films on social causes at Viddsee

While you’re clearing your leaves this year-end, swap out your usual Netflix shows to get some insight into social causes in Singapore. Viddsee will be screening short films and series that cover topics like mental health awareness and caring for vulnerable seniors.

Each video is about 20 minutes or less, so you can easily watch them all in one evening. Viddsee is also raising funds for the Community Chest through Giving.sg, and all donations will go towards empowering the lives of the more vulnerable members of our community.

When: Till 31st December 2020
Visit the Viddsee website

6. Get active in a virtual run to support people with disabilities

Image credit: SPD

Just because we can’t do group cardio activities outdoors today doesn’t mean we can’t clock in some running together virtually. Besides, you can run at your own pace and do good at the same time with SPD’s Ability Walk & Run, a virtual race on platform 42Race.

Held in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December 2020, there are three accumulative race categories you can sign up in to show support and raise funds for those with disabilities.

So whether you’re running a leisurely 2km, a modest 10km, or a hardcore 30km race, you can do each distance at your own time and comfort; you just have to cross the finish line anytime from 1st to 14th December. You can also jio your running kakis and form a team of four to challenge other teams for the TechnipFMC Longest Distance Award.

When: Till 14th December 2020
Visit the SPD Ability Walk & Run Website

Support the needy during SG Cares Giving Week 2020

Besides these unique ways to give back to charity, there are many ways you can do good in this year’s event.

For instance, grant a child’s wish during this festive season by giving them a gift they’ve requested for on the Motherworks Giving Tree. Whether it’s building blocks, new toys or simply a new carrier to help a struggling mum.

Image credit: Motherworks

It’ll warm your heart to know your funds are going to beneficiaries like the Babes Pregnancy Crisis, Down Syndrome Association Singapore and HCSA Community Services.

While SG Cares Giving Week 2020 might only last for a week, contributing to the SG Cares Giving Week Fund will last throughout the entire month of December so you have a lot of time to help fellow Singaporeans in need. The proceeds from this fund will be evenly distributed to at least 30 smaller charities who might not be able to make big fundraising efforts – your little acts could go a long way! Donate to the SG Cares Giving Week fund.

Find out more about SG Cares Giving Week 2020 and how to take part

This post was brought to you by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) – Towards a City of Good.
Cover image adapted from: Shopee.