COPE appreciates the man of the house.
Contributed By Cara Ang
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| CN PHOTO: Tan Song Kow |
While only three walked away with Best Dad Awards, all fathers present were celebrated and appreciated for being the man of the house at the Father’s Day Luncheon held at Roland Seafood Restaurant.
The Community Outreach Program for the Elderly, CHCSA’s service to the elderly, partnered with South East Community Development Council to organize this event which gathered 160 fathers over the age of fifty for a celebration.
“More than just honoring and affirming the fathers, we hope to encourage active ageing and promote healthy lifestyles. So the programs were planned in such a way that they encompassed elements of fun, energy and confidence,” said Irene Ho, COPE’s event manager.
An example of this was a table game named Passing The Ball. Each participant was required to pass a mini ball clockwise around the table using only spoons. The challenge? Participants had to pass the mini balls above their heads. Members of the winning team each received a bottle of Lux Shower Cream.
During the luncheon, the elderly folks were taught an exercise technique—clapping. Clapping is a way of activating all the acupressure points in one’s palms, while clapping the back of one’s palms is also a good form of exercise.
Everyone gamely put what they learned into practice by standing up and exercising for 30 minutes to a music video. Following the rhythm of the music, they clapped their palms, arms, backs and knees in an enervating but fun workout.
Everyone was taught the cheer for the Youth Olympic Games written by JJ Lin, titled “You are the One, Singapore.” The elderly followed the hand actions in the music video and brought the house down. Everyone received a YOG collar pin for their efforts.
The entertainment continued as lunch was served. Volunteers led the crowd in a table competition of Charades and Kungfu Master, which had little to do with martial arts. Teams were also tasked to assemble a brand-new fan from scratch. With little help from the instruction manual, most of the dads drew from their experience and efficiently put the fan together.
Soon it was time to announce the winners of the Best Dad Awards.
Ong Ker Eng, one of the winners, used to fetch his children to and from school when they were young, and now, even though he is 71 years old, he continues to fetch his grandchildren every day no matter rain or shine. “Providing for the family is one of the most important things a father should do,” said Ong.
Another winner, Kim Seng, 60, looked physically fit and younger than his age. The former sportsman was an avid cyclist and runner.
A winner that moved many to tears was Tan Tee Teng. Tan’s daughter got up to express her love for her father. She said, “Thank you for taking care of me and teaching me the principles I need to have in life.”
To show that every father was a winner that day, at the end of the luncheon, they were each given a backscratcher and massager to take home. There was much laughter as everyone started to use the practical gifts immediately.
