Seniors get to lo hei with the President at Istana

President Tan and Mrs Mary Tan tossing yusheng with seniors like Ms Chong (on President Tan's right), and Reach volunteers and staff.
President Tan and Mrs Mary Tan tossing yusheng with seniors like Ms Chong (on President Tan's right), and Reach volunteers and staff. ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

About 40 elderly beneficiaries and caregivers from Reach Community Services Society yesterday attended a lo hei lunch at the Istana, hosted by President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan.

The group is a beneficiary under the President's Challenge.

They were entertained by Chinese tunes played by the labour movement's U Live Ukulele Performing Group and undergraduates from the National University of Singapore Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

Ms Chong Kwee Eng, a 69-year-old beneficiary who goes to Reach's senior centre in Jalan Membina to exercise every morning, said: "I feel very honoured to be given a chance to lo hei (toss yusheng) with the President.

"This is going to be a very good year for me.

"I have never been to the Istana. It's a beautiful place."

Chief executive of Reach Community Services Society, Mr Ho Siew Cheong, said the senior centre in Jalan Membina will be opened officially on Friday.

The centre, which started operations last November, can accommodate 50 seniors at any one time and provides programmes and services such as craft work, exercises and karaoke.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 16, 2016, with the headline Seniors get to lo hei with the President at Istana. Subscribe