Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Mr Heng Swee Keat, who is also Adviser to Tampines Grassroots Organisations, joined in the launch of the movement
[Left to right: Beely, the mascot for Tampines Kindness Movement, Ms Jennifer See, Council Member of Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM), Mr Mohamed Irshad, Founder of Roses of Peace (Ground-Up Movement), Mr Koh Poh Tiong, Chairman of SKM council, DPM Heng Swee Keat, Dr. William Wan, General Secretary of SKM, Singa, the mascot for Singapore Kindness Movement, Mr Muhammad Nabil, Council Member of SKM]
Singapore, 7 March 2020 – Singapore Kindness Movement launched Overcome as One today at Our Tampines Hub, to rally Singaporeans to be more understanding and kind to each other during the COVID-19 outbreak. As part of SG United, the event featured booths by Ground-Up Movements (GUMs) that encouraged the public to appreciate frontline workers, while pledging support for the Overcome as One movement.
Contribute.SG was one Ground-Up Movement that set up a booth at the event to collect and redistribute COVID-19 essentials such as hand sanitisers, masks and alcohol wipes to those on the frontline and the needy. Members of the public contributed such essentials at the booth to do their part in helping fellow Singaporeans.
“It was heartwarming to see Singaporeans stepping forward to contribute towards this cause.” Jonathan Tan, co-founder of Contribute.SG said. “This shows that Singaporeans will band together in times of crisis.”
Singaporeans show their support towards frontline workers
Members of public left words of encouragement for frontline workers at the Stand With You SG video booth
The event featuring a video booth for visitors to record words of appreciation for frontline workers was facilitated by Stand With You SG, a participating Ground-Up Movement. Members of the public, together with Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Minister for Finance and Adviser to Tampines Grassroots Organisations, Mr. Heng Swee Keat, also showed their support by signing the Overcome as One gesture in Singapore Sign Language at the Overcome as One photo booth. The gesture was taught by Deaf advocates from DON8URI, an F&B social enterprise.
Organisations come together as one
Companies are also banding together to lend their voice to the Overcome as One campaign. Caltex will be distributing car decals to patrons from 7 March onwards at Caltex petrol stations nationwide. Ride-hailing company Grab, will also be joining the movement by distributing the decals to their drivers.
Starbucks baristas island-wide will be wearing the Overcome as One badge to show solidarity towards the movement, and takeaway cups will be adorned with the Overcome as One sticker at all stores. The coffee chain will also implement a Pay-It-Forward initiative from 9 to 13 March at all stores, giving away the first cup of coffee on the house and encouraging customers to pass on the act of kindness.
Car decals to pledge support for “Overcome as One” will be available from 7 March onwards
“The fight against COVID-19 isn’t just about medicine and washing your hands. It is Singaporeans standing together and treating each other with kindness and empathy to tide over these tough times,” Dr William Wan, General Secretary of SKM said.
“Overcome as One is about overcoming fear and anxiety by being a caring, cohesive and confident society. It also shows that Singaporeans are definitely appreciative of our frontline staff, be it healthcare workers, security guards or cleaners, and we want to thank them for keeping us safe. Together, we can be greater and overcome as one.”