THE Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi) Festival and Christmas celebration brought some sunshine to some 30 old folk at the Penang Buddhist Association Senior Citizens’ Home.
Smiles lit up their faces when they feasted on a variety of glutinous rice balls (tang yuan) after making the delicacy themselves.
Lee Chee Yong, 67, said he enjoyed the celebration with his friends at the home.
“Besides glutinous rice balls and cakes, my favourite food today is char koay kak,” enthused Lee who had been living at the home for four years.
Loud cheers and laughter could also be heard during a surprise appearance of Santa Claus who then gave away small Christmas gifts to the old folk.
Ancient tradition:: Loh (white shirt with blue shoulders) making glutinous rice balls with the senior citizens at the home joined by Santa Claus. The celebration on Sunday was organised by Komtar Barisan Nasional coordinator Loh Chye Teik and Tanjung Wanita MCA members.
“We hope to share in the festive mood with the old folk. And also to send a message that they are remembered and loved by the community,” he said.
Loh said the home took in senior citizens aged between 60 and 75, who have no immediate family members, irrespective of race or religion.
The two-hour celebration was abuzz with other entertain- ment, including a karaoke singing session.
On the one-off RM500 cash aid under the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) scheme, Loh urged the senior citizens to be careful in identifying the relevant parties when seeking help to obtain the application forms.
He reminded the public to take note that besides the branches and service centres of the Inland Revenue Board, the forms could be obtained at the service centres of Barisan assemblymen and coordinators.
“The service centres will also distribute and process the application forms,” he added.
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