About 250 needy elderly residents in the North East district will each receive up to $400 worth of household items to welcome the Year of the Horse.

The household items, such as rice cookers, electric kettles and stand fans, were purchased with money raised from the "Wish Upon A Silver Star" project.

Volunteers in the North East district folded origami stars and raised about $100,000 to purchase the items. Every 10 stars folded garnered a $1 sponsorship from the North East Community Council and the NTUC FairPrice foundation.

Adviser to Tampines Grassroots Organisations Irene Ng gave out the items to several residents on Wednesday. "I am glad that we are able to lift their burdens and give them hope of a better life in this meaningful way," she said.

Said beneficiary Mdm Ong Siew Choo, 78: "Our old TV was breaking down and we don't know how to fix it. It's great that we are getting a new one."