This event, conducted by Keeping Hope Alive for years, was a first for me, and the sheer scale of it all was mind-boggling.

Ryan, our project lead, coordinated the effort to bring 121 elderly folks from three different locations out for a Lohei lunch at Seletar Country Club. Most of us enjoyed a comfortable, air-conditioned bus ride to the venue, but special arrangements had to be made for some elderly guests requiring wheelchair assistance!

Thanks to the blessings from sponsors and the hard work of other volunteers, the event ran smoothly. The main challenge was ensuring that seats were filled. Initially, we conducted door-to-door visits in various neighborhoods to invite residents to the event, but some became uncontactable or changed their minds about attending. Some of our KHA volunteers went the extra mile, making repeat visits up until the night before the event to confirm attendance. Even so, there were elderly guests who decided on the day itself that they didn’t want to attend. But, surprisingly, the earlier group, who had been uncontactable? They showed up, eager to participate.

So, when I say the event ran smoothly, I mean that we managed to fill every seat, with just the need to add one or two more!

We had an incredibly fun and bubbly MC who led the elderly through games and performances, with the key highlights being a lion dance troupe and not one, but two ‘Cai Shen’ – that is, Gods of Wealth!

Each elderly guest received a goodie bag and an angbao containing $100. The true measure of the event's success was seeing the elderly enjoying themselves, laughing, singing along, and all returning home safe and sound after the event, thanks to the efforts of all the volunteers.

Why Keen