Speech at launch event for NDP 2025 #GiveAsOneSG campaign launch event and NVPC SG60 Connect! Series

Colonel Chong Shi Hao, Chairman of the National Day Parade (NDP) 2025 Executive Committee,

Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC),

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. A very good afternoon to you all.

2. It is my pleasure to join you today to launch this year’s #GiveAsOneSG Campaign and for the SG60 Connect! Series.

NDP #GiveAsOneSG Campaign

3. The annual #GiveAsOneSG Campaign, jointly organised by the NDP Committee and NVPC, is now in its third edition. This year’s campaign is particularly meaningful because Singapore is celebrating our 60th birthday.

4. This year is SG60 and we celebrate not only the achievements that brought us here as a nation, but also the values that hold us together.

   1. The connections between our fellow Singaporeans, the care that we hold for our communities, and our spirit of contribution to a better Singapore.

   2. It’s also a time to look forward and dream about our shared future – a stronger community, a caring home.

5. With the theme, 60 Days of Giving, this year’s campaign is our most ambitious yet. It is longer in duration, with more charities and causes than before.

   1. Whether you are passionate about supporting persons with disabilities, engaging our seniors, promoting our arts and culture, or protecting our environment, there are meaningful opportunities for everyone – and I have seen it as I walked around the booths today.

   2. We invite all of you to find a cause that’s close to your heart to contribute to and to play a part.

Corporate Contributions

6. This year, we want to invite more corporates to participate in the #GiveAsOneSG Campaign.

7. Corporates have been instrumental in our nation building journey.

   1. Today, corporates are also vital partners in shaping a more caring and cohesive Singapore.

   2. When companies empower your employees to volunteer and contribute, you create positive way to uplift our society.

8. And we have seen this impact from the past two editions of NVPC’s Project V, which helps companies to volunteer regularly and at scale.

   1. Last year alone, over 2,400 corporate volunteers contributed over 6,000 volunteer hours, touching the lives of more than 10,000 service users. That’s a lot of people, and that’s a lot of hours.

   2. This includes the 48 volunteers from Agrocorp International, who in partnership with Bartley Community Care Services, engaged hundreds of elderly residents to promote mental and physical wellness.

   3. Now, they will be sharing their insights from this experience during the panel discussion later, and I look forward to hearing from them.

Launch of Flexi Volunteering Programme

9. To support more companies on their giving journey, NVPC is launching the Flexi Volunteering Programme (FVP) this month, as part of #GiveAsOneSG.

   1. The FVP is a new volunteering pathway for companies that complements existing programmes like Project V.

   2. It will offer bite-sized opportunities to help companies of all sizes kickstart their volunteering journeys.

10. For SG60, we hope to bring aboard 60 companies for FVP, with each contributing at least 60 volunteering hours over 6 months, through at least 2 sessions.

11. NVPC has selected 10 community partners for companies to support.

    1. I understand that one of them - Caregiving Welfare Association - designed a flexible programme focusing on dignified ageing.

    2. Under this programme, potential volunteers can explore various activities to find the best fit for your interests, such as weekly get-together sessions, monthly group exercise and games events for seniors.

    3. I am also encouraged to see our Company of Good recipients like Wee Guan Construction stepping forward to participate.

#GiveAsOneSG and SG60 Connect! Marketplaces

12. 1For those of you wondering how to start, #GiveAsOneSG and SG60 Connect! Marketplaces are a great starting point.

    1. Around 20 charities, companies, and community partners are present today to share about the various one-off and short-term opportunities.

    2. I encourage everyone to take this chance to speak to them and find something that suits you, whether you are a corporate or an individual.

13. Finally, to the companies, charities, community partners, and individuals who are here with us – thank you for being part of this journey together with us. Let us commit to giving, not just during these 60 days, but as a way of life.

14. I wish you all a meaningful afternoon. Thank you.