The Gift of Festive Company

This was my fourth round of volunteering with CHCSA, this one on the Gift-a-Little-Festive goodie bag run. Every time I come back, I am reminded of the same thing. For a lot of older folks in Singapore, company is the one thing they need most and ask for least.

One of the most memorable moments was during the Chinese New Year gift distribution. We went door to door, and many of the seniors welcomed us warmly, offering New Year candies and taking selfies with big smiles. It made me realise that for some of them, the festive seasons can be the loneliest stretches of the year. The visits really do mean something.

In November, I participated in another GLF activity, this time with "Happy Thanksgiving" and "Merry Christmas" wishes. House of Joy Mountbatten had just reopened after renovation, and we got to bring two pieces of good news to each doorstep: the festive season was coming, and the centre was back in action.

What I have taken away from these visits are all the seniors I cannot forget. The warmth, the joy, and the kind of conversations that turn strangers into familiar company in the space of one afternoon. These visits stay with you longer than you might expect.

Mavis Chan Syn Ping, 32