2nd February 2025 - 初五 marked another heartwarming chapter in our annual Chinese New Year tradition as Keeping Hope Alive brought 120 elderly residents, aged 60 to 88, to Red Star Restaurant for a festive Lohei lunch. The iconic restaurant's halls echoed with laughter and joy as our seniors gathered for an afternoon of celebration.

The feast was a delightful showcase of classic Chinese New Year dishes, featuring fresh prawns, crab meat, and fish among other traditional delicacies. The highlight was certainly the Lohei - watching our elderly friends standing around the tables, reaching high to toss the colorful salad while shouting auspicious wishes. Some needed help standing, but their enthusiasm never wavered.

Each senior received practical gifts - rice, mandarin oranges, eggs, coffee and tea powder, oat flakes, and a $100 angbao for their New Year celebrations. A special addition to this year's gifts was a portable radio, made possible through the artistic talents of Lele, a remarkable young boy on the autism spectrum, who raised funds through the sale of his beautiful couplets.

Understanding that we couldn't accommodate everyone who wished to join the lunch, thanks to a thoughtful member's sponsorship, we distributed CNY cookies to elderly residents who couldn't attend. We also made sure these seniors received mandarin oranges and rice, ensuring the festive spirit reached as many as possible.

After the celebration, volunteers personally accompanied seniors who needed assistance back to their homes. One volunteer shared a touching moment when she helped an elderly lady with poor eyesight back home. The senior was moved almost to tears by this simple act of companionship.

These moments remind us that while the feast was grand and the gifts practical, the true essence of this gathering lay in the connections formed between volunteers and seniors. It wasn't about the material aspects - it was about spending time together, sharing stories, and creating bonds that make our community stronger.

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