Youngsters from The Salvation Army Penang Children’s Home delighting the crowd with Yuletide carols at Gurney Paragon Mall. With them is Lurence (right). — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Dance performance, fancy dress contest among fun activities
YOUTHFUL exuberance enlivened the launch of Gurney Paragon Mall’s year-end festivities themed “A Timeless Christmas”.
Classics like Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas were belted out by 18 children from The Salvation Army Penang Children’s Home in a special performance.
Many shoppers who gathered around the shopping centre’s atrium for the occasion got into the Christmas spirit and sang and clapped along.
The home’s manager Becky Lurence said the carolling group members, aged four to 18, enjoyed the opportunity to perform for the public.
“Christmas is the time of the year that they look forward to the most as we’re involved with many activities.
“It’s our way of thanking everyone for their support throughout the year.
“Coming to places like this also allows the children to experience the festive joy,” said Lurence during the event which also saw the mall’s 9.1m-tall Christmas tree lit up.
Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo, Hunza Group executive director Khor San Leng and Gurney Paragon Mall chief operating officer Koay Bee Fong were among those present at the event.
Khor said the evening was about celebrating the true essence of Christmas – the spirit of giving and forging unity among the community.
“Seeing various parties come together to create magical moments for these children truly warms my heart,” she said.
Woo said it was a great example of how businesses and the corporate sector could play vital roles in uplifting the communities in which they operate.
“Let us remember that the true joy of the season lies in bringing smiles to faces.
“The children’s presence added a touch of innocence and magic to the celebration.
“May the goodwill created here echo throughout Penang and contribute to our shared goals of prosperity and economic well-being for all,” he added.
They later presented the children with goodie bags and joined them for dinner at an Italian restaurant.
The mall has lined up several programmes for the festive season. Coming up next is the Christmas Dance Performance by Euphoria Penang tomorrow and Kids Fancy Christmas Costume Competition on Sunday.
There will also be Christmas Carolling sessions by Penang Wesley Methodist Church on Dec 10 and 17.
The events will take place at the atrium.
Santa Claus and Santarina can be spotted on walkabouts at 5pm on Dec 16, 23 and 24.
Completing the programme are Christmas Celebration with Penang Lions Club and Christmas Eve Countdown on Dec 24, both at the Festive Square.
Khor also announced that Standard Chartered Bank would open its doors at Level 3 of the mall on Dec 11.
This location will offer priority services and is pet-friendly.
