The season of giving has come around again, but this year, it is not just toys and candy being exchanged.

Instead, many individuals, charities and businesses are stepping up to give their time and money back to the community in support of #GivingTuesdaySG on Dec 3. In celebration of this event, companies across the island have launched campaigns and events to reach out to beneficiaries from a range of voluntary welfare organisations including children, the elderly and the disabled.

At Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, for instance, free beverages were given out between 3 and 4pm in exchange for donations that will go to the Singapore Children's Society. Volunteers for the Singapore Cancer Society also approached the public for donations, giving out bears for every donation above $5.

#GivingTuesday is a worldwide movement that was launched in the United States in 2012. It hopes to counteract excessive consumerism following Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales by spurring individuals, charities and businesses to volunteer and give back. This year #GivingTuesday has gone global with Singapore being the first country in Asia to take on the initiative.

To take part, donations can be made on www.sggives.org. Giving activities can also be found on www.givingtuesday.sg