In the run-up to Singapore's 49th birthday, more than 13,000 young people are busy with community activities such as organising workshops and producing videos to celebrate National Day in their own unique way.

These volunteers from the People's Association Youth Movement (PAYM) are coming up with 141 projects over this month and the next for the PAYM Loves Red campaign, which started yesterday.

These range from providing home employment for women from low-income families through sewing workshops, to thanking people such as school cleaners.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean was the guest of honour at the campaign's launch yesterday at Sengkang Community Club.

"These different activities help to bring Singaporeans together to celebrate National Day... They show us how Singaporeans are united by a shared sense of national identity and pride," said Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, and adviser to the Pasir Ris-Punggol Grassroots Organisations.

He flagged off a fleet of 49 cars, and the "car ambassadors" distributed vehicle flags and side mirror covers with the national flag to residents in the constituency.

The event also paid tribute to the country's pioneers through a video presentation of their achievements and contributions.

"Through closer interactions between our pioneers and our youths, the values of our pioneers - including perseverance, determination, teamwork, care for others - will be passed down to the next generation of Singaporeans," Mr Teo said.

Said Ms Yeo Jiayi, 22, one of the volunteers involved in planning yesterday's event: "The pioneers are really Singapore's foundation. As young people, we must honour them and we should continue building on their efforts so they don't go to waste."

Helping to plan yesterday's launch event also made her look forward to celebrating National Day next month, added the accountancy and finance graduate from the Singapore Institute of Management-University of London.