Early Lunar New Year treat for needy seniors in Teck Ghee

SINGAPORE: Needy seniors of Teck Ghee constituency received an early Lunar New Year treat on Sunday.

Some 370 of them were given hong baos (red packets) by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also the constituency’s MP.

Mr Lee and other grassroots leaders wished residents good health and prosperity in the Year of the Snake. He then went to each of the 40 tables to present the hong baos.

The hong baos included S$100 cash and a S$50 shopping voucher.

Mr Lee also took the opportunity to meet other residents in his ward at the market and coffee shops. During the one—hour walkabout, Mr Lee chatted with residents and took pictures with them.

Earlier, Mr Lee officiated the opening of a Seniors Activity Centre (SAC) at Block 469, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

The centre runs programmes for vulnerable older residents who live in the rental blocks in the community. Currently, there are about 120 seniors making use of the centre.

Ho Gang Hiang, a consultant with the Teck Ghee Seniors Activity Centre, said: "The objective of this SAC is for the elderly who stays in the rental blocks as well as nearby blocks to have quality of life, to age in place and also to prevent social isolation. So, we run activities to draw them out of the house."

The centre also partners with schools and companies who contribute volunteers to help the elderly.

Ray Ferguson, CEO (Singapore) of Standard Chartered Bank, said: "It’s really important that we get our people out into the community. It can do them good, and also they are interacting and helping all these folks here.

"They also get to understand what life is like in the community and it’s very important for the foreign community in Singapore —— many of the volunteers here are foreigners —— that they get out and see what life is like in the community here."

—CNA/ac