Nearly 330 elderly from six senior homes enjoyed a specially curated virtual wildlife adventure with Hong Leong Foundation and Wildlife Reserves Singapore on 4 February 2021.

The virtual festivity was part of Hong Leong Foundation’s annual charity event. The seniors who participated are aged 60 to 105, and from Adventist Home for the Elders, Kheng Chiu Loke Tin Kee Home, St Andrew’s Cathedral Home for the Aged, St. Vincent Home, Tai Pei Old People’s Home and Zion Home for the Aged.

With the entire event broadcast live via Zoom to the homes, the seniors were able to enjoy the show in the comfort and security of their rooms with social distancing measures strictly in place.

The event kicked off with an exciting line-up of programmes where the elderly got to virtually interact with an Eco-Ranger as well as Luke and Chewie the pelicans, the animal stars of the show. This was followed by captivating animal acts by brilliant birds such as parrots and macaws from Jurong Bird Park, and waterway wildlife including capybaras and iguanas from River Safari.

Nearly 55 staff volunteers across the Hong Leong Group of companies (including City Developments Limited, Hong Leong Holdings Limited, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Hong Leong Finance, Hong Leong Asia and Hong Realty) also participated. They donned their singing hats for a virtual performance that included familiar golden mambo songs such as ‘Ja Jambo (说不出的快活)’ by 1950s Hong Kong singer-actress Grace Chang, ‘Mambo Rock’ recorded in 1955 by Bill Haley & His Comets, Hokkien classic ‘Ai Pia Cia E Ya (愛拼才會贏)’, as well joyous well-loved Chinese New Year jingles like ‘Cai Shen Dao (财神到)’ and ‘He Xin Nian (贺新年)’.

The celebration wrapped up with a festive animated video by Singapore Chinese Orchestra and delicious lunch bento boxes with Chinese New Year goodies prepared by Copthorne King’s Hotel. The lunch was delivered to the homes by the Group’s staff volunteers.

“COVID-19 has hit all of us very hard, especially the elderly in senior homes, many of whom are confined to their rooms and limited by mobility and outdoor activities during this time. Some of them do not have families to bring them comfort and joy during festive occasions such as the Lunar New Year. Though our staff volunteers were not able to be there physically, we hope that this specially tailored virtual programme will still help create wonderful memories for our silver generation,” said Mr Quek Kon Hui, a governor of Hong Leong Foundation who was among the organisers behind today’s virtual charity event. 

With support from the Foundation, kids from The Little Arts Academy also participated in the festivities. The talented children aged nine to 12, especially painted artworks themed on the beauty of nature with vibrant colours to help spread good cheer in each of the senior resident homes.

As part of Hong Leong Foundation’s annual charity event, the Foundation also made cash contributions of S$452,530 to 3,481 beneficiaries of the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s ComCare Long-Term Assistance scheme.

Throughout 2020, Hong Leong Foundation also continued its long-standing support towards the arts, education and various social causes such as Food From The Heart, The community Justice Centre Ltd, Toy Factory Productions Ltd and Singapore Arts School. Hong Leong Foundation’s donations totalled more than S$1.94 million for the year 2020.