Hong Leong Foundation promotes active ageing for seniors at Chinese New Year event
They take part in activities at four stations and try for prizes in a lucky draw
NEARLY 70 senior beneficiaries were dancing, doing chair yoga and playing rhythmic games at M Hotel on Wednesday (Feb 12) to celebrate chap goh mei, or the 15th and final day of the Chinese New Year.
At Hong Leong Foundation’s Silver Dance Fiesta, they were joined by at least 60 staff volunteers from Hong Leong Group companies. These included City Developments, Hong Leong Holdings, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Hong Leong Finance, Hong Leong Asia and Hong Realty.
The beneficiaries, who were from two senior citizens’ homes and aged 65 to 98, rotated among four circuit stations for activities that promoted active ageing, such as dancing and simple exercises.
After completing an activity, the participants collected a card, which they used to enter a lucky draw; the prizes included household items and shopping vouchers from NTUC FairPrice.
After the activities, the group gathered to perform the dance they had learnt, and played a ball game with the volunteers.
Michelle Kwek, a governor of Hong Leong Foundation, said of the programme participants: “It’s important at their age to be engaged in activities and for them to use their minds actively.”
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She added that the feedback from the beneficiaries was positive, in that many said they enjoyed the activities.
Hong Leong Foundation has been supporting the silver community for more than 45 years.
Quek Kon Hui, another governor of Hong Leong Foundation, said that supporting seniors has been a “critical part of the foundation since its inception”.
In February 2023, Hong Leong Foundation held a Silver Sports Day for senior beneficiaries at the same venue, where they danced and exercised to reggae and rock-and-roll music.
The activities for both Silver Dance Fiesta and Silver Sports Day were led by Decadance Co, a contemporary dance company that choreographs dances suitable for seniors.
In 2024, the foundation donated more than S$1.8 million to various causes, including Food from the Heart and the Singapore Zoo.
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