Befriending Seniors at Blossom Seeds’ Charity Lunch
Nearly 40 NUS Cares volunteers — comprising NUS alumni, Raffles Hall Alumni and NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) members — joined fellow volunteers and over 1,100 seniors and community partners at Fairmont Hotel for Blossom Seeds’ charity lunch, “Blossom: A Tribute to Seniors”, on 19 February 2023.
Volunteers and community partners with Guest-of-Honour, Minister Ong Ye Kung (second row, middle).
Organised by Blossom Seeds, the event commemorated Blossom Seeds’ 10th anniversary of working with seniors and enabling them to stay active and blossom in the community. Our friendly NUS Cares volunteers came together as Befrienders for the day to spend time and bond with the seniors over a sumptuous lunch.
Mr Leonard Tan (Engineering ’18), Secretary and Director of Events, Raffles Hall Association, was happy to have the opportunity to enjoy a lunch with the seniors. “Having a lunch out is a daily thing to do but many of the beneficiaries do not have the opportunity to do so, and feel alone. I am glad that we could come together to build a more inclusive and caring society,” he shared.
After enjoying activity booths and dance performances, seniors and Befrienders then sang their hearts out to classic tunes such as 朋友 and 月亮代表我的心 during a sing-along session with Guest-of-Honour, Minister Ong Ye Kung.
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It was an enjoyable experience talking to seniors and hearing their perspectives on housing, healthcare and healthy ageing in Singapore. I’ve gained a better understanding from this and I plan to further support this important community.
Mr Ang Wei Jun (Science ’22)
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“My favourite part of the event was singing along in unison with everyone in the room regardless of age. It was wonderful to feel unified as one.”
Ms Ni Yi Wen, Director of Alumni Relations and Community Engagement, NUSSU
Guests taking part in the sing-along session.
FIND YOUR LANE
Whether your passion is to aid the disadvantaged, champion environmental causes or be a steward for animal welfare, there are plenty of ways to give back. You don’t have to do it alone: Join fellow alumni and the NUS community in making a difference and start giving back today!
Visit
nus.edu.sg/alumnet/events/NUSCares for details!