65-year-old ice cream man helps spread smiles with cool treats in Income giveaway
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SINGAPORE – With one hand on a knife and the other steadying a slab of ice cream, Mr Cheong Peng Siong slices it into small rectangular blocks, and sandwiches them between two crisp wafers.
A long queue forms near Clementi Mall on Aug 10, with people eagerly awaiting their turn to receive a free serving.
The ice cream giveaway was sponsored by Income Insurance to celebrate its 55th anniversary. It saw thousands of free ice cream wafer sandwiches distributed across Singapore on Aug 9 and 10.
A long queue forming near Clementi Mall on Aug 10, with people eagerly awaiting their turn to receive a free serving.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Mr Cheong was one of six ice cream vendors Income partnered with to hand out about 10,000 free servings at various locations, including Orchard, Punggol and Clementi.
Over the two-day event in Clementi – that saw sunny mornings and a rainy afternoon on Aug 10 – Mr Cheong and a crew of helpers gave out around 1,800 servings of ice cream to people young and old.
He removed his gloves during a break, revealing some blisters on his finger, which he said gets stiff due to the cold. Asked if it hurt, the 65-year-old said he is used to it.
He remained upbeat throughout the day. “My favourite part about this job is seeing happy customers when they receive their ice cream.”
Blisters on Mr Cheong Peng Siong’s finger on Aug 10.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Growing up with 16 siblings, Mr Cheong helped with his mother’s kueh business and made youtiao dough sticks, so he is no stranger to hardship.
“Back when I was a child, life wasn’t easy. I liked ice cream, I did not have any opportunities to have it because we were poor,” he recounted in Mandarin.
Ten years ago, he was drawn to selling ice cream because it allowed him to control his own time.
Mr Cheong moving his ice cream cart to a sheltered walkway due to the rain.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
On weekends, Mr Cheong usually sells 200 to 300 servings of ice cream at a corner at Tampines Bus Interchange. He runs his business daily.
When asked if the job is tiring, he shook his head. “Every job is tiring.”
Mr Cheong taking a short break have his lunch duck rice and roasted meat, which he took roughly five minutes to eat.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Ms Kimberly Wong, in her 50s, who joined the queue with her 13-year-old poodle Duchess, was handed two ice cream sandwiches – one for the dog – by Mr Cheong.
“I think it’s a very nice gesture, and sometimes it’s nice (for companies) to give back,” she said.
Ms Kimberly Wong, who joined the queue with her 13-year-old poodle Duchess, was handed two ice cream sandwiches – one for the dog – by Mr Cheong.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
“I saw a big group of people queueing, so I decided to join in,” said Madam Wong Mei Ngor, 82, in Mandarin. “I’m happy with the ice cream, especially because it’s free.”
Madam Wong Mei Ngor receiving her free ice cream.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Besides the ice cream giveaway, Income Insurance also gave each vendor a personalised financial protection plan.
Mr Cheong received a one-year SilverCare Prestige Plan, a personal accident plan for senior citizens.
