Dear Moral Angels,

We have the privilege and pleasure in organising the outing to Marina Barrage on 28-3-2009 for the elderly of Moral Home for The Aged Sick.

When Song & myself arrived at Moral Home at about 1130 hrs Mok was practicing his songs for the day and Susan have prepared the items for the games and gifts.

Soon volunteers were seen trouping into Moral Home and the whole place was full of activities with SK and Rico (logistics) rushing here and there and collecting all the necessary items. Jin Xiong and Shermin (volunteer coordinator) have meanwhile set up their registration booth to register the volunteers and pairing them with their assigned elderly.

Wendy and Mei Kuen (F & B) were also busy preparing the snacks and tea for those elderly joining us for the outings. Shu Hua, Hui Xian and Alexandra (Group I/C), have also gathered their volunteers and elderly for their respective group and befriending with each other. Song (co-organiser) was loading general stores and wheelchairs and proceeded to Marina Barrage to ready all logistics items prior to arrival of buses with elderly.

As for me, try acting busy to sort out the problems and then finally time to conduct briefing on safety matters for the outing and also on wheelchair handling for the volunteers.

We have 27 elderly and more than 50 volunteers for the outing. We are glad to see volunteers who are always supportive in helping us whenever we organised such event. Some even spread the goodness of volunteerism by bringing new friends. Thanks you.

By 3pm, everyone boarded the 2 tour buses and the HWA bus specially catered for those immobile elderly (so that the whole wheel chairs can sit comfortably in this special bus). On the road, Mr Mok and Gary were our signers for Bus 1, who entertained the elderly and volunteers with their signature english, mandarin and hokkien songs. As the bus was moving, Mok complained to Susan not to ‘shake ‘ the song book too much, he can’t see the lyrics and guitar notes…hahaha. And Susan replied….Not my fault, blame on the bus…..hahahha…

In bus 2, the song IC were Josephine, Alex & Xiao Xuan – the chopstick sisters. As you guys had witness it in our home activities and celebrations… when the chopsticks sisters are together….the rock the Bus….Do you all agrees…? Though I was not in Bus 2, but I can sense their power from my bus.

When Group 1 arrived @ Marina Barrage, we proceed directly to rooftop garden for viewing and Kite flying, followup by Group 2…I believe, this event of kite flying had brought back good memories for elderly and of course the volunteers…You should see Mr Ng, demonstrating his laying flying skill…ulo talak, ulo and talak and he is the only one that can keep the kite flying highest and longest, as for Desmond the champion…he keeps running until the kite hit the ground…..some volunteers even complained the string were entangled and unable to fly the kite…. One male resident actually show his kite flying skill too.

Oh I had forgotten one very important point. THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT, hot but windy… perfect day for this outing.. thanks to Brother Song, who always assured us of such good weather. Meanwhile volunteers also brought elderly to stroll along the roof garden and bridge where the barrage were located, to enjoy the scenery, see breeze, skyline of S’pore Flyer Icon, IR construction, clean S’pore river and the sun shone….etc….

By 4.30pm, we gathered for our group photo taking, a rather big group indeed, whereby Xin Jian and Poh Yan need to demonstrate their skill to ensure everyone is captured for this outing, before we depart for dinner in Hung Kang Restaurant.

I must highlight this, The Hung Kang restaurant is specially catered for wheel chair dinners; the company had invested in an electric lift to for wheel chair, so that elderly can sit with comfort. Upon our arrival to the restaurant, the Manager – Jimmy personally operate the lift to transfer the elderly to up the stairs…our special thanks for his kindness and assistance.

During dinner, our award winning cameraman Poh Yan, went the extra mile by printing out the photos capture during the special moments and present them to every elderly, so that they can enjoy dinner and admire the candid shots. Well done Poh Yan and Xin Jian – you guys are the best.

The food was superb and value for money. After dinner, our VL – Jin Xiong presented Jimmy our Moral Home Letter of Appreciation for his support and kind cooperation. By 6.45pm, we depart to our next designation – Moral Home…..

Last but not least, we would like to extend our special appreciation the following people for their effort, sponsor or help out in this event. Believe me, these people are the Best…with initiative, no questions ask, can do attitude, team players, supportive…once assignment being task…they perform to their best…

1) James and Jane for your generous sponsor for the two buses for the outing – always supportive in catering to elderly needs.

2) Hung Kang Restaurant – Jimmy, for providing affordable price and sumptuous dinner for the elderly and volunteers.

3) Wendy & Mei Kuen – F&B, had accomplished the impossible by negotiating the best dinner deal ever, of course… using their beauty and charm and negotiation power….gee, the speech therapy skill works wonders….hahahahaaa

4) Group I/C – this time, the all ladies team I/C are Ah Xian, Alexandra & Shu Hua…well done ladies, least supervision, take initiative to stroll elderly along the bridge to enjoy the wonderful scenery.….heehehee

5) Logistic I/C – SK & Rico. The cool tag team, everything no problem… ever systematic, assured, …coordinating between MH, equipments, buses, wheel chairs, etc… task well done

6) Volunteer Coordinators – Jin Xiong, Shermin – one of the toughest task, in ensuring sufficient manpower to join in the outing, followup with on their attendance, pairing with elderly, etc. …also excellent job…

7) Cameraman / Video I/C – Poh Yan, Xin Jian and Mr Loi…busy capturing the special laughter and moments when you are least expected…you will appreciate their effort when you see the candid shots on the flash..

Entertainment / Games I/C – Mr Mok, Josephine, Xiao Xuan, Gary, Alex, Susan – hmm, you guys brought beautiful music to our ears….

9) Special thanks to Mr Ng & Mrs Ng, befriending with residence, Andrea and friends, Sharon and friend – Christine, Alexandra’s sister Josephine, Christina, Desmond, HQ – weather update from the marina barrage, Gary – for sharing with us wheel chair handling and his friend – who is also in medical field, thanks for joining in our event.– The Loi’s family – Mr Loi, Mona and Brendan. Rico’s ex students & friends, Fiona, Aunty Molly and all others who had help in this event. Last but not least, 3 cheers for our Brother Song who also paid for the dinner in Hung Kang Restaurant.

Thank you all for making this event a enjoyable, safe and successful outing. Contributing your time and effort to bring little more smile and heartening outing experience for the elderly. You guys are the best. Cheers.

Sam