(Left) Tengku Amir (centre) and Lim (second from left) with other well-wishers stirring chicken curry in a wok at the luncheon. — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
OVER 300 underprivileged senior citizens joined in a Chinese New Year charity luncheon hosted by Love and Care Charitable Association Selangor.
Smiles, hugs and laughter filled the air as the elderly folk met up with old friends.
Pandamaran resident Yap Ah Chai, 85, said he was happy to see his old friends.
“When we reconnected at the event, it felt like the good old days and we shared many memories,” the former mechanic said.
Guests happy for the opportunity to shake Tengku Amir’s hand at the CNY event.
Ah Choo, 63, a retired school teacher, said such events gave the old folk an opportunity to bond with friends and create new memories.
“Such gatherings bring joy and laughter into our lives. I look forward to them,” she said.
While most of them were happy to catch up with old friends, others were seen busy making new ones.
The senior citizens were also treated to lunch prepared by the association’s central soup kitchen.
The seniors were also delighted to meet and shake the hand of Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who graced the event.
Together with association founder and Titijaya Land Berhad group managing director Tan Sri Lim Soon Peng, they presented red packets and goodie bags to senior citizens, on behalf of the association as well as the Selangor Youth Community (SAY).
Founded by Tengku Amir, SAY is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to fostering dynamic, progressive and energetic youths.
Tengku Amir is the royal patron of SAY.
Lim said the event was organised in the spirit of Chinese New Year for the elderly folks’ benefit.
“Our senior citizens are from Pandamaran, Taman Kem in Port Klang, Taman Sentosa and Taman Palm Grove while another batch is from around Batu Belah where our kitchen is located,” he said.
The association also celebrated its 10th anniversary at the event.
Today, there are 300 beneficiaries of all races and religion who receive food distribution by the association.
“Breakfast, lunch and dinner meal boxes are delivered to seniors from Monday to Saturday.
“On Sunday, the beneficiaries receive dry food such as bread, biscuits or pastries.
“It costs RM15 per recipient per day, totalling over RM1.5mil annually,” Lim said.
The association is funded by Lim and his close friends who are also community leaders.
A few companies also donate to the cause.
“We do not ask for donations from people but we welcome corporate companies to donate ingredients and materials to aid our charitable kitchen,” he said.
“We also need more volunteers to help us reach the needy.”
He added that volunteers could lend a hand by assisting in the kitchen, distribution, helping with publicity, logistics and transport, sponsorship and home visits.
