A team of volunteers from RHT Rajan Menon Foundation (Foundation) dedicated an afternoon spreading festive joy to the seniors at Lions Befrienders Senior Activity Centre (SAC) @ Ang Mo Kio Block 318. It is the Foundation’s tradition to conduct an annual Christmas outreach programme to bring cheer to the underprivileged in our local community.

Trooped in Santa’s hats, the volunteers welcomed the seniors with gleeful Christmas’ greetings and handed each one party hats to liven up the festive ambience. After which, an exciting programme was conducted specially planned for the seniors comprising games, carolling – Christmas classics and favourites such as “Jingle Bells” and “给我一个吻” were sung – and a present distribution session.

Prior to visiting Lions Befrienders, the Foundation worked with Ang Mo Kio’s SAC to collate Christmas wishes the seniors hoped to receive which included items like provisions, essence of chicken and household appliances, among others. The wishes were subsequently shared with colleagues, hailing from both RHTLaw Taylor Wessing and the RHT Group of Companies,  where they were informed that they can “adopt a wish”; and we had an overwhelming response.

There was also a special appearance by the Foundation’s Santa Claus during the present distribution session. The Christmas programme concluded with tea-time snacks for everyone to enjoy.

Sharing her thoughts on organising a Christmas celebration with the seniors, RHT Rajan Menon Foundation’s Associate Director, Christabel Lim said, “Many of what we are enjoying in this present generation are the fruits of labour of the older generation. We must not forget the hard work by our parents, our grandparents and the generations before them, without which we would not be able to live in today’s peace and prosperity. The Foundation is passionate in its cause to serve the elderly and will be having more of such projects in 2018. We will also want to thank all our colleagues who volunteered their joy, time and effort in bringing smiles to the elderly. It is teamwork which made the Christmas CSR programme successful.”

The Lions Befrienders SAC is open to seniors who are above 60, and are living in identified rental blocks near the SAC. The SAC conduct activities and programmes that help seniors to be physically and mentally alert, keeping them plugged into a social network.