Annual fitness initiative 3M Moves @ South East 2021 launched its ninth edition earlier this month, calling Singaporeans to exercise to raise product donations for the needy amidst tightened COVID-19 restrictions. Led by Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman, Mayor, South East District, Mr Kevin McGuigan, 3M Vice President and Managing Director, SEA Region and Country Leader, Singapore, and 110 participants performed a low-intensity dance and 20-minute workout to mark the campaign’s virtual launch.

Organised by South East Community Development Council and sponsored by global science company 3M, the 3M Moves campaign targets to clock a total of 7,000 exercise hours from 2 August to 11 October, up from 5,000 hours last year. The primarily virtual campaign aims to raise more than S$102,000 worth of 3M stationery for 3,000 underprivileged students in the South East District, to aid their shift from Home Based to Blended Learning. Since the programme started in 2013, over 227,000 people have participated and raised more than S$1.3 million worth of 3M products for 25,700 beneficiaries.

Today’s launch event saw Mayor Fahmi, Mr McGuigan, campaign partners, employees from 3M and SECDC, and beneficiaries gather virtually to perform the GetActive! Singapore Workout, a national-day themed dance. They also completed a short ActiveSG workout, contributing a total of 2,200 minutes to kickstart the campaign. Participants remained masked throughout the launch while keeping 3 metres apart from one another.

Mr Fahmi Aliman shared, “We are encouraged by this long-term partnership with 3M. With 3M’s generous sponsorship, we are able to rally people from all walks of life to come together and be the active contributors to meet the needs of our underprivileged students. Despite the current restrictions, we are glad to have the strong support from our long-term partners, such as UOB, ITE College East and PCF Sparkletots, to join us in today’s virtual launch. We are definitely off to a great start to this campaign and will take it in our stride to support our youth in South East District.”

“During this period of social distancing, it has not been easy for students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to adapt from physical to online lessons, and vice versa,” said Mr McGuigan, “Together with South East CDC, we are excited to make meaningful contributions to these underserved communities and improve lives, while inspiring a spirit of volunteerism amongst Singaporeans along the way.”

Multiple ways to contribute

For every 20 minutes of exercise clocked, 3M Singapore will donate a 3M stationery product to a beneficiary. There are many ways for the public to participate. Besides free virtual fitness classes by gym partners F45 Training Paya Lebar and ImPAct@Hong Lim Green, participants can also join wushu and Taiji classes by Martial House. They can also contribute through their own leisure exercises and workout programs by ActiveSG and the Health Promotion Board.

To take part, participants are encouraged to post videos of themselves exercising on Instagram or Facebook, along with the hashtag #3MMoves and tag the respective organisations @3MSingapore and @SouthEastCDC. They can also submit their exercise results through an online form.

All beneficiaries will receive a 3M stationery pack worth S$34 that includes eight practical items such as the Post it® Super Sticky Notes, Scotch® Non-stick scissors and Scotch® Transparent Tape.

Images: 3M Singapore