Charity Lunch – 24/1/09 Updates…..

41 thoughts on “Charity Lunch – 24/1/09 Updates…..”

1. Yeah, it was great to see all of us working together for a common cause and everyone was willing to roll up their sleeves to wait on tables, washing plates and cleaning up after the function ;0)

   3 cheers for the EOs who put in so much time and effort in planning and excuting this event without any major hitch.

2. Hi 3 EOS and others and Happy CNY ,

   Thanks to the 3 EOs for giving us an opportunity to be involved in this special event.It was great FUN when I had to multitask as a “Waiter” and “Cleaner” for the day.

   And it was so GOOD to see everyone of us were working as a TEAM and were also spontaneous with the duties of what one was expected to do.

   There was too little time to talk to the elderly as all of us were fully utilised. Due to lack of volunteers,I hope the next time round, MORE SHCians would volunteer to help out .

   As a suggestion only, in future it would be better if we had one grp of SHC who volunteer to talk to the elderly. Perhaps, at every table ,we could assign, 1 SHC member as a representative to sit and chit chat with them.

   The other vol. grp will carry the normal tasks as cleaners,waiters.packers, waitresses etc…

   It came as a “shock” to me /others that the Hard Rock Cafe boss was so generous with sponsoring the food for the elderly and using their own volunteer staff to help out too.

   Mind you ,the 10 course set meal for the elderly includes the cold dish and the pork succulent legs roasted to perfection which in fact are better than some of the well-known Chinese restaurants in town.

3. Dolly dolly & Oi Cheng,

   Well done, must said that everyone of you have a tough job that day, but am sure you all are tired but happy. Hope I can join next time round. Bravo to all!

   Ah Nee

4. Yes hip hip hooray to the EOs!!! I enjoyed myself thoroughly yesterday. Looking forward to the next one.:-)))However,one suggestion…we SHC members must hve some form of common apparel…eg the Hard Rock cafe staff had on their black Ts with their logo.
   Thanks much EOs for this meaningful event.

5. Hello everyone,

   I felt so left out this time round as I have missed out this special event as I guess I am still new and needed some time to sort out where I should get myself useful. However, I would like to help out the next round when there is such Community service. Meanwhile, have a blessed Chinese New Year to all!

   Regards,

   Anne

6. Hi Steven,
   Thanks 4 d suggestion. As it is 1st tx, SHC is doing such event, learning from experiences from now onwards, the next EO will hv a better planning next time lor..

   Doe I agreed that we in fact had little tx to interact with them due to manpower shortage but I also felt dat if one 1 2 do it, no matter wat, we still can do. I did saw some of SHC members did mingle around with these folks and some of these folks did told me that they were glad that we interact with them lor..

   Steven, yeap, I m equally surprised dat those chefs and helpers were from HRC and their widespread of food menu and also believed that HRC might have chipped in the contribution of these food but SHC also did contributed sponsoring of these meals to them la..

   June, good suggestion of std apparel but let’s leave to next EO 2 think abt this, ok.. hmm, I wander who har? :)

   Anne & ANee, I m sure that there will defintiely be many next times of such events that you can participate lor.. Cheers.. Dolly

   Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year

7. Thankx for the great events organise by you. = D Wishing everyone a happy chinese new year.As for the next EO, you deserved another round of applause, i dont mind helping out again.

   Regards
   Thomas Loh

8. Weiwei, Anyone come across my Chinese New Year VCD that I bring over to last Sat charity event har? I think I might hv misplaced them leh.. This is my dad’s collection dat I borrowed from him. If you happened 2c this, pls let me know hor.. Kam Xia Kam Xia.. Dolly

9. Hi every SHCians,

   Happy Lunar New Year. May you be Blessed with good health,peace and happiness throughout the year.

   Congratulations to the EOs and Helpers for the excellent charity Lunch organised and held on the 24th Jan.Sorry I couldn’t help out then.

   There’s one charity lunch that I have helped over the last three years at St Joseph’s Home in Jurong on the 1st of May (through the St. Anthony;s Convent Alumni Group.) This Group needs a little sponsorship for their lunch and volunteers to help with the serving and feeding of the elders.

   Why May 1st?
   May 1st, being a Public Holiday, many of the staff members are on leave and it is a good time to help out the Home.

   Would this be another great opportunity to go all out to help and entertain our Seniors?

   SHCians, say Yes We Can! again.

   Please let me know if there is interest so that I may liase with my School Alumni Committee early.

   Thank you.

   Geok Suan.

10. Last Saturday at the Charity Lunch( Nativity Church Hall) , I had a conversation with one of the volunteer, 25 Soup Kitchen. She help in the soup kitchen from Monday to Saturday 7am to 5 pm. She told me that help is always welcome at the Kitchen any time from Monday to Sunday, 7am to 5pm.
    She mentioned that even we can spare one or two hours a day is fine .
    Time is very precious for as they have to prepare,cook,pack and distrubute to 5 locations on time.
    I am still holding a full time job. I will try my best to help out on Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays.
    You can also contact me ( melissakhng@hotmail.com) to go together.

    Warmest regards,
    Melissa

11. Thanks to the 3EOs for organizing this special event & it was great to see all members co-operates with each other to make this event a joyous & fun occasion.
    Here, I would like to make a feedback such that it is to my understanding that this charity event was meant for old folks and needy people. However, I noticed that more than half of the guest were made up of famlies and young people. I was approached by a teenager who told me he did not get any goody bag but I saw that there was a goody bag place under the table where he was sited. Turns out that he wanted to get an extra bag for his sister.
    Though this charity event was successful, I wonder if we did manage to help those really in need. Are those people that I mentioned above really needy people or are they there to just join in the fun and having free lunch and goody bags?
    BTW, the above comment just some feedback of myself & I will still helping future event if needed for charity.

    Thank you.

    Judy

12. Testing Judy’s Lim Moderation content.

    If a comment is under moderation, can others see it too ?
    Just curious and testing.

    ( From Judy Lim:- I would like to make a feedback such that it is to my understanding that this charity event was meant for old folks and needy people.

    However, I noticed that more than half of the guest were made up of families and young people.Though this charity event was successful, I wonder if we did manage to help those really in need.

    Are those people that I mentioned above really needy people or are they there to just join in the fun and having free lunch and goody bags?BTW, the above comment just some feedback of myself & I will still helping future event if needed for charity. )

    I strongly agree with you Judy,I expected to see more white/grey/or balded heads but to my great surprise,more than 1/2 of the guests are too young to be qualified as old and needy.

    I am not pin pointing anyone but:-

    ( Perhaps,in future,it would be better to ensure that we reached out to help more ElDERLY, NEEDY, SENIOR CITIZENS or Destitute people. )

    Thank you.

13. Hi Terence,

    To my surprise, a comment still under MODERATION can be seen by other SHC members.

    Terence,can you pls. explain to us what is your rationale behind moderation when others can still see what is written by him/her ?

    I do not mean to probe but just curious as others to know.

14. Hi! Members,

    Kindly be informed that my above comment is not pin pointing of anyone, is just my curious of the morality of charity.
    Steven Chan, I strongly agree that we should see more ElDERLY, NEEDY, SENIOR CITIZENS or Destitute people.

    Thank you.

    Judy

15. I believe that comments under moderation are readable so that SHCians can see for themselves whether the administrator has exercised his judgment fairly, correctly and judiciously if he approves/disapproves it eventually. It also helps writers to get a feel of what’s acceptable by this forum and what’s not.

    I have reserved my comments on the charity event till now. On a scale of 1-10, I rate it a 5 and give it all to our fellow SHCians, leaving a nought for those responsible for the invitation.

    Money and time were generously and happily given for what was thought would go to the have-nots and those mired in sorry circumstances but it turned out to be a circus show. It was too late for anyone of us to control the situation, let alone change it.

    I was however gratified a few hours later at a sporepools outlet. There was a cleaner picking up dirt with her bare hands as patrons kept litterring. Her shirt was too big for her boney frame and her pants, probably unwashed for a while but she went about doing her work with quiet pride. No anger in her eyes, not a grouse.

    I walked up to her, shook her hand, It was a beautiful hand I held, soiled it was, but a very beautiful hand without which – and other similar hands – we would have heaps of rubbish everywhere.

    She asked “Tio beh pio huh?” “No”, I told her, “go buy something for the CNY before shops close”. And I really felt so good in the giving………………

16. Hi Steven #13,

    Thank you for the feedback. The majority of forum participants cannot see the comments in the moderation queue. No worries, I shall ask the web people to make sure you cannot see. Sorry about this.

    Terence Seah

17. Hi All SHCians,
    I did said in my earlier post that this charity event was supposed to be targeted at those old and needy folks. How the word ‘needy’ shd be defined? I was told by the parishioners on the day itself when I cast same doubts as above that these needy that appeared in the charity event were already screened and confirmed by them to be qualified in the word term ‘needy’. Needy as explained can also meant that d family is under the church’s social welfare or the parents had just recently lost their jobs, etc, etc..

    To me, there will be always be ‘grey area’ that at times hard to distinguish and prefered to give them the benefit of doubts.

    However, thanks for all feedbacks rec’d and rest assured these will be keep in mind should there b another same kind of event being organized.

18. Hi all SHCians,

    Referring to:

    Judy Lim #14
    Steven Chan #12
    Tim Liu #15

    FYI, those needy people that were invited to our Charity lunch were the adoptees of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Singapore (of the North Zone comprising of 5 catholic churches).

    This Society is an international organisation founded in 1833 & has 132 member countries. Their main focus is the relief of poverty (for all people regardless of race, language or religion). For further information pls refer
    to //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Saint_Vincent_de_Paul

    Pls understand Dolly’s comment #17 that these families under their care have been fully vetted b4 they come under the Society’s umbrella.

    Pls also cast all doubts away and be happy that we brought some cheer to the poor & needy families (young & old alike).

    Thanks to all volunteers for a job well done & esp to Dolly n Oi Cheng who have spent time and much effort for this charity event.

    Regards
    M Lee

19. Margaret-L, I read you but that wont help to cast my doubts; more correctly, change what I saw.

    My impression before the event was, there would be 200 guests some from homes arriving in chartered buse. Many came in private cars, and there was a sleek jaguar parked conspicuously to be seen.

    No matter how I counted, certinly there were fewer than 200 guests so what went wrong? It’s no more my concern now to know the answer.

    I had made a decision and went on to discharge what I had promised in that decision. For myself it’s a lesson learnt and I will be a lot more discerning with my decisions and choices into the future.

20. Hi Dolly and Oi Cheng,

    Despite the misgivings of some, I would rate your effort as an “8”. So you see, you still have your supporters.
    For those not in the know, it is not easy to qualify as a SVDP adoptee, so if you are an adoptee, you need help and they usually get it from more than 1 agency. For those not in the know, consider yourselves fortunate you don’t qualify.
    I also agree entirely with your attitude that you will not turn away anyone who turned up for the day, being the celebratory season etc. We don’t have to be so mean to “means test” anyone for a lunch and a bag of goodies. Be proud of what you did. Many are.

    Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year.

21. Hi Tim Liu / EOs /others,

    To give a ” zero” to those responsible for their 1st. time invitation, I feel it is NOT a fair comment.

    The 3 EOs have been working very hard days and nights coordinating to make the occasion a success except that they too were caught unaware that the audience comprises >1/2 of young people instead of the intended elderly etc.. ( This is my own opinion , you may choose to agree or disagree.)

    I agree with Dolly’s comment ie ( As it is 1st time SHC is doing such an event, learning from experiences from now onwards, the next EO will hv a better planning next time lor.. )

22. Hi Tim Liu @ 19 and Margaret Lee,

    I am very shock to read Tim’s frank comment @ 19 and felt uneasy.

    …..( The impression before the event was, there would be 200 guests some from homes arriving in chartered buses. ( I hardly see chartered buses driving to let the adoptees alight at the car park ). Some of the younger adoptees in their early 20s and 30s appeared so well dressed with branded clothes that gave me a “wrong” impression that there looked like young executives working in Shenton Way.

    Many came in private CARS, and there was a sleek JAGUAR parked conspicuously to be seen. ( My question is if they really own private cars and jaguar, how could they be classified as as being ” POOR and NEEDY ” ?????????

    I am still v.PUZZLED despite what Margaret Lee has tried her best to explain.

    Sorry to “kapoh” on this matter. I felt v. much better after I speak my mind.

23. SSVP or Society of St Vincent de Paul has a long history as pointed out by MargaretL. More information is also available in wikipedia website.
    Before a recepient qualifies as an Adoptee (now renamed FIN- Friends in need) he or she goes through a screening process. In my parish, where i am a member of SSVP , most of our FINs reside in a one room rental HDB flat. To qualify for the rented flat at a nominal fee of $25 pm, they would need to meet the criteria of HDB. Most of them would also be receiving aid from CDC , in which case they are being further vetted another government agency. So i have no doubt in my mind that this category of people are needy.
    What may not be so apparent is that they could be single parent, not necessarily be old ,weak and sickly. And have children of schooling age.
    Tim had made observations at the recent gathering and drew conclusions which may not be totally correct, although it is possible there were gate crashers.
    EO and assistants and helpers for this SHC activity need not feel dishearten. Your efforts have not gone to waste. What is more important is your intention to share with and welcome the needy and your participation in this event. It shows you as SHCians have a HEART.

24. When I rated the charity event, on a scale of 1-10, as a 5 for fellow SHcian helpers (which means full marks), that rating includea all of us…….arent Dolly & Oi Cheng part of us?

    As far as I am concerned, I have given a nought to those I believe are responsible for the invite.

25. Steven’s puzzle could be explained. It is not uncommon for Vincentians (members of SSVP) to help out on the transportation of the needy under their care. If sufficient cars are available, then there is not need to rent a bus. As the adoptees (FINs) are from four parishes, it is likely that there are enough Vincentians with cars to ferry them .

26. Hello everyone,

    Tim Liu #19

    During the event, I spoke to Peter Chia, President of SVDP of the Nativity Parish. He told me that about 4 persons from each Church would be present (4×5 parishes that makes 20 paxs). These committee members were present so as to distinguish their own adoptees.

    Could we have mistaken some of them who came in cars and sleek Jaquar to be the poor adoptees of the SVDP???

    M Lee

27. Hi! All SHCian,

    I would like to emphasized that my intention in my earlier comment is NOT to accuse or question anyone. I only feel curious that is why I bring it up as a feedback so that in future we could improve on it and to be able to help those really needy people.
    Frankly speaking, I really appreciate that the EO & SHCian have done a gret job to make the event successful. I don’t mean to create any conflicts among other members. I apologize should my comment earlier create any conflicts among members.
    Once again, I am sure that should we have such event in the future, I will definitely participate in it.

    Thank you.

    Judy

28. This forum allows us all to speak, to debate, to argue, to accept…whatever..freely….except sex, MLM, religion and politics:-)

    However, I am so afraid now. Afraid that there won’t be any more such events organised in the future.

    For me, I hve long ago decided not to judge a book by its cover.
    Once upon a time, there was this old woman, dressed rather shabbily, face quite wrinkled going around and putting her hands in bins, searching for tin cans. A look at her and I said …so poor thing. And I gave her $5 and told her…”koi ler chia kopi”…get a cuppa with it. She smiled at me and pushed the money back to me. No no, I am fine, I am jus passing my time…very “mern” to sit at home doing nothing.
    Once upon another time, I was selling Red Cross donation tickets in the streets. People whom I see would buy, never did. People whom I see most likely will “siam” me, bot tickets from me.

    That day at the Nativity church, I did see young and old. I took it for face value that they are the needy.
    Needy..how do u define this word. My Little Oxford says…necessitous….(loosely) somehing not a luxury that one needs etc etc.
    Those people that day could be in need of food, some pocket money, some human touch, some entertainment etc etc…the list goes on. Needs vary with every individual. What I need may not be what u need etc etc.

    For that day, I gave some money and some hours to pack goodie bags, serve drinks and to wipe plates (goodness me, never wiped so many plates in one day!!! :-)))…I think I hve earned my brownie points from Him. It does not matter if my money or time has gone to nought. I am just happy and grateful to hve my brownie points…:-))

    I salute the 2 EOs again for orgainising this meaningful event. Hope that u and other members will put up such an event again. OK? Pls!

29. Margaret-L, each table seated an average of 7-8 persons and how many tables were there? Even if none of the 20 parishes took a seat, the headcount of the needy is far less than what was supposed to be 200 strong but weak, being needy.

    But that’s not the main issue which obviously to us both, is whether the invitees were actually “needy” or (I deliberately use the the disjunctib=ve “or” not the conjunctive “and” so as not to score any advanatge) old folks?

    Clearly, there’s a gulf – and a very huge gulf – between what I see as “needy” and what you have come to accept as such. I remain unmoved; neither will I want to move you.

    For me, that was the first and last of my engagement with institutionalised and organised charity but obviously, there’re are good support for such charity out there.

    Sure, June-L, dont be afraid, you shall have the whole world and space to yourself to pack goody bags, serve drinks, wipe plates and earn so many brownie points that will make you brown with delight and others green with envy.

30. Hi June Lim,

    ….( I think I hve earned my brownie points from Him. )

    When one is involved in any form of voluntary work for a good cause , one gets a sense of ” HAPPINESS ” deep inside one’s heart which in my opinion is more gratifying than having the intention to earn brownie points from Him.
    ( You may choose to differ )

31. Hi there Steven. Yes totally agree with u on the happiness and satisfaction achieved whn working on a good cause. And couldn’t argue that that is most gratifying.
    For me the brownie points is just a side issue…a bonus if He gives. If He doesn’t, it doesn’t matter.

    I love brownies. My pal hates brownies. She loves muffins. So to each his own. Just be happy.

    Wish all a happy relaxing Sunday!!!!…. although not for me as was out the whole of yesterday so therefore today got to do the housework that I usually do on Sats!!!! :-(((

32. Hi Friends

    I have uploaded the photos taken at the charity lunch. They come in 2 albums as I have problem putting all 356 photos into 1 album. Thanks to our photographers, Sockie and Boon Liang.

    Sockie, I love the series of pictures taken of this boy. He opened the goodie bag, pulled out the red packet, then gleefully held against his cheeks. He then opened it and took out the notes – I love his smile. Another boy whose picture follows immediately this series also touched my heart. I see JOY in these faces and I know whatever we did was worth it.

    I have yet one more invoice to receive. Once I do, I will post the collection and expenditure here.

33. Hi Dolly, Oi Cheng and our two photographers Sockie and Boon Liang,

    I went over the two sets of photographs in this post, and they truly tell a thousand stories. Dolly and helpers, you have really made everyone of us proud of this charity event. There was so much friendship and smiles in the faces. Everbody was so helpful to give more than their share to our disadvantaged fellow citizens.

    Gee, there was so much work in the kitchen, with helpers running in and out of the kitchen to dish out the food. The comperes, the stage decorators and the packers. So much dedication was put in. So much thought to make the charity event such a success.

    So much can be seen from the faces of the receipients. I wasnt too sure if these faces tell stories of sadness, the reality of life or the cruelty of loneliness. But, you have given them cheer and the opportunity to look forward another day.

    I encourage everybody to look at all the pictures.

    Terence Seah

34. Hi Dolly and others,

    From the albums I glance thru , I like the 2 candid photos of our own SHC’s “bossy” pose of Dolly supervising her “workers” with her hands tucked at her waist and yak,yak,yak……

    It reminds me of the TVB Cantonese HK drama serials famous actress Mei Hong Kam, the Ougght Kai Lai for her role as a mother-in-law in the the Moonlight Resonance drama serials. This show is very “Kan Cheong” not to be missed if you are a fan.

    Dolly, ” Moe Lau Lah. Kau kau Siew. ”
    Perhaps, Dolly can consider part time as actress in S’pore Media Corps. Who knows , one day she can be one of the best actress as Fann Wong.

35. Wahpiangz, Steven, tks 4 cing so up2 hor.. but hor, tell u la, if i reli join SBC (was so called during my time), probably will ended in role as Stepmother or majie or maid or mamasan oli la..

    Aiyo, can beat Fann Wong, hehehe, my toes are laffing now.. u must b kidding la.. Anyway, tks 4 the compliments hor..

    Looking at these fotos, glad 2c so many smiling faces from both SHCian volunteers and adoptees.

    3 cheers to both photographers — BLiang n Sockie.

    Dolly

36. Dear Donors to the Charity Lunch

    As I have yet to receive my last invoice from Soup Kitchen for the disposable plates and stuff used on that day, I have decided to close the accounts as I do not want to hold on to the balance any longer.

    Total collection: $5,300.
    Lunch cost: $800.00
    Goodie Bag items: $3,113.70.
    Red packets: $1000.00.
    Balance: $386.30.

    I shall be giving this balance to Soup Kitchen for the disposables. If the invoice should later be more than the balance, Dolly and myself will top up the difference. If the amount is less, it shall be treated as a donation to Soup Kitchen.

    Please note that there were 250 goodie bags and ang pows prepared for the charity. They were given to the attendees and the balance were delivered to Ju Eng Snr Citzens Home (Jln Kayu).

37. Dear Oi Cheng,

    Thank you.

    Speaking for myself, I am pleased so long as donation (whether in angpow or converted into other forms) goes to the needy and elderly as intended. As I can see that the Soup Kitchen continually offers free lunches, the donation in my view, falls in line.

    If the invoice exceeds the balance, I shall be happy to share in making it up.

    Cheers,

    Tim

38. Hi Oi Cheng

    Glad the accounts are out. I believe those who had donated monies towards this Event are now cleared on how it was spent.

    Should you have any question, it would be fair to raise it under comments.

    Lastly, thanks to Dolly n Oi Cheng for organising this Event n putting in so much time n efforts.

39. Just received an sms from Soup Kitchen that the cost is only $38.10.

    So the balance $348.20 will be donated to Soup Kitchen.

    I thank Tim for your offer to share the shortfall even though it is not necessary now.

    As Yew Kwong says, please raise your questions here if you have any.

    I shall be keeping the receipts for 2 weeks, thereafter I shall discard them. Once the receipts are discarded, it will also mean a closure to this event and no questions will be entertained.

    Finally, Dolly and I thank all donors and helpers in this charity event. But we do hope that members will come forward to organise other charity events.

40. Hello Dolly – Hope you received my email? Please note the event at Centerpoint Atrium Valentine’s is only till 15th Feb. Hope you’re “recuprated” from the superb job you & the rest did for the Charity Lunch! Yeah, it can be so tiring!
    Florence (sms me when you are there).

41. Hi Florence,
    Yes I did rec’d your email and replied u liao le.. Thk u very much for your comforting words in ur email. Will try to drop by at Centrepoint to meet up wif u if I can.. Tks.. Dolly

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