SINGAPORE - Seniors from Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC gave old golf balls a new lease of life at Orchid Country Club on Wednesday (April 6) to raise funds for wellness programmes in their constituencies.
In total, 400,000 used golf balls were donated by Orchid Country Club. Seniors designed the balls and decorated them with marker pens, bottle caps and felt.
The balls will go on sale at various community events over a period of one year with a fund raising target of $10, 000.
Seniors who have benefitted from wellness programmes, such as free basic health checks and personal health coaching, paid it forward by volunteering to make the ornaments for the event.
Madam Thng Meow Huang, 59, a volunteer, was happy that seniors were given the chance to raise funds for other seniors. She said: "The programme encourages old people to learn new skills."
Golf balls were previously disposed of after four to six months of use on the golf course. The club's general manager, Mr Peter Goh, 63, said: "This initiative will allow us to use used golf balls for a good purpose in the future."
The golf ball craft sessions were first mooted by Dr Carol Tan, 54, a geriatrician and Chairman of The Good Life Co-operative, and Mr. Lim Boon Keng, Special Adviser to the People's Association Board of Management, to promote physical and mental activity and to encourage seniors to keep active.
The money raised will be used to pay for programmes such as vaccinations, health screenings and to subsidise the cost of daily essentials such as milk powder for the needy.
Paya Lebar Active Ageing Committee Chairman, Mr Low Ngian Woo, 66, noted that such activities will build stronger ties within the community.
He said: "Working with our community partners and sponsors, we are able to provide a platform for seniors to contribute back to the society and help other fellow seniors."
In addition to craft making, there were health talks and other wellness activities such as strength tests, dental talks and malnutrition videos during Wednesday's event.
Students from Temasek Junior College and Nanyang Polytechnic also took part in the production of the ornaments.
