Nice Weather ~ crossing fingers *wink*

Hi folks,

missing our blog posts?? Bet that you are happy and saying that "wow, finally got posts liao"...

These few weeks, SILRA got new things happening, in case you are still clueless..read on to let me update you.

• We started with Weekly In Charge (IC) - seems familiar rite..yes this is a comeback kid. So everyone you will get your chance to be the IC. No "Siaming" one, sure kanna one. Time will tell...
• We got new volunteers who have joined us for our sessions. Let's put our hands together to welcome them. WELCOME =)
• Everyone is still contributing their ideas and efforts to make a difference in the lives of our residents. JIA YOU(x2)!!
• Our Audio system is getting simpler and simpler to set up, speakers are already wired to the system. It's just connecting to the main power, switch on the TV, Amplifier and VCD player. of course, loading the disc lah. this one still need to teach meh =P
• Its nice to know that our volunteers are getting more and more vocal to sing for our residents. Let's have a telematch among us and ask residents to vote for us. LOL.
• 2 of our volunteers exchange their vows and they came by to share their happiness with our residents in month of Feb. They are still honeymooning.
• Chef is back @ SILRA!! Residents and us (keke) are in for a treat. Everybody, let's thank him and give him a massage whenever possible.
• There is Yoga exercises and laughter therapy going on @ SILRA very Saturday, 3pm. Let's haha all the way with our residents.
• Weather havn't been kind to us, everytime scheduled to rain at 4 - 6 pm. Thus, we havnt been able to bring our residents out. The new covered walkways, new plants etc...we have yet to got the chance to view them yet. Come on, let's pray for a bright and shinning day today!!!

Time really files and we are already passing the 1st quarter of the year already. The upcoming months will be full of events, so everybody hope these few months you've recharged yourselves and is ready to CHARGED all the way liao..

Highlight of Upcoming events:

4th apr: our famous Kaya Roti Toast (come & learn the ropes to be Kopi-di or Kopi-sor) remember to bring waist pouch...

23rd may: Rice dumpling festival (get ur family and friends down to help us wrap or conduct QC.

CNY Gathering

Hi folks,


hope this post finds you & your family well. Yes, Brother Ox has arrived with a blast!!! As usual, our Joy Gathering Tradition carries on till now. To pay visit to "certain" volunteer's family on 初二。


We started with lunch at Shao Rong's place from 12 noon onwards and we laze there till evening as we head now to Teck Ee's place. We would like to give credit to both families for being such nice host to us.


Guys being guys like to play strategy, we played Citadels on TE's place. Before we can built our 8th district, we had to call it a day as its getting late where everyone need to work the next day.


Lastly, we got photos for u to see who's there on that day. (PS: try your luck). We do hope you can join us in Tigger Year.

Usher into Year of Ox

Dear Friends,

missing our Blog?? Yah, totally agree that we have been slience since Sept 08...well we will try our best to keep u informed on the latest happenings as we usher into Year of Ox....

Another year is trying to slip past us again. As we usher into the Year of Ox, let's us reflect on the time we spent at SILRA together. The fun and hair grabbing moments while planning, organising and implementing activites for our elderly. Time spent with elderly on Saturday afternoon always pass by quickly without knowing and its time to say goodbye before we are even "warmed up".

Moments like these for the past 14 years from our Pioneers to the current batch of volunteers we have who still have the same characteristics: young, vibrant and talented with nice voice, with groove and handyman still remains. Nothing have changed except change.

Lastly, on behalf of the Group, here's wishing you and your family: A good health which will brings you wealth. For wealth at heart will brings you happiness to spread love. For love brings a smile on our faces. For a smile that is small but brings joy and light to all. Happy Lunar New Year!

PS: Let us continue to serve our elderly with care, joy and laughter as we are a part of Joy Gathering, a part of SILRA Home. To do something good, we must feel good in doing it good.

Note: Service will resume on 31 Jan 09. Please note that we are celebrating 人日 on that day. Please be at SILRA by 2.15pm, your punctuality is much appreciated.

ESN Carnival 2008 ~ Love, Care and Hope

Hi all,

Remember last December 07, we hav a fun-time together at Yishun Junior College for our first and ever ESN Carnival? Well, gald that you remember! Guess what, they are back this year with more games stalls and participating agencies from elderly sector as well. This year, the carnival theme is "Love, Care and Hope"

The main objective of the carnival is to infuse a sense of togetherness as a community of volunteers serving the elderly sector, to promote sharing, interactions and learning among volunteers and beneficiaries alike, and to provide an afternoon of beyond volunteering experience of fun, cheer and company to the elderly by the combined efforts of volunteers. It is going to be a fun and interactive event comprising of carnival stalls (food, craft, games and bazaar), activities such as photo-taking with mascot and handicraft demonstrations, a mini-concert, and last but not least, lucky draw where the beneficiaries get to walk away with goodies such as grocery items and other basic necessities.

Thou, these 4-lettered, "Love, Care and Hope" seems easy to spell however it takes quite a bit of effort to show to our family, friends, elderly or even neighbors. Well of course we are not into what these words means as i bet that you guys know it better than I can describe.

In any case, today we are sharing on how you can help us in the upcoming carnival...

Date: 27 Sept 08 (Saturday)

Time: 1.30 - 4.30 pm

Venue: Yishun Junior College

How is SILRA involved??
- We will be manning a handicraft booth showcasing, Salt bottles made by Uncles & Aunties, Ah Kow’s rattan handicraft and tissue paper carrier sow by Aunties.
- We will also be having a game stall:

How we would like you to be involved?? (please revert okie..)

Before Carnival:

1. Handicrafts preparations do join us for our upcoming Saturdays to engage the residents to continue our Salt Bottle.
2. Banner Design (to provide assistance in piecing up our Creative Director idea on banner etc)

Actual Day of Carnival:

1. Bringing our residents out to/fro YJC; (27 Sept-> Time: 12.45 pm - 5.00pm)
2. Helping to man our Game and Handicraft stall (27 Sept-> Time: 8 pm - 4.30pm)
   

Other information that you should be aware of??

This is not a fund raising event, non-profitable, but the coupon sales earned from handicraft booths will be returned to the respective agencies.

Lastly, we are also in the midst of sourcing for sponsors to cover the costs involved.

Alternatively, if you have a great idea and its bursting or burning to share, do drop us a few liners. We look forward to hear from you soon!

ESN Workshop on 19 October, Sunday

Hi,

Are you enthusiastic to embark on your first visit to an elderly home but not sure how you can contribute? Want to understand more about volunteering in an elderly home? Worried that you have problems communicating with the elderly?

Join us for our 1-day course organised by volunteers for volunteers.

Venue: All Saints Home (Hougang)

Date: 19th Oct 2008 (Sunday)

Time: 9am - 3pm

Target participants : New volunteers serving in the elderly sector

To register : Email silrahome@hotmail.com

Note: $5 will be collected for lunch, tea-break and materials cost

Volunteer Orientation held on 28 Aug @ NVPC

Dear all,

Yesterday, we had our first Volunteer Orientation at NVPC at The Giving Place ever since they have shifted from Amoy Street to this new cool building at Central @ Clarke Quay. Their shift took place somewhere in December 2007. on 7 July 08, PM Lee H L grace the occassion of the official opening of NVPC's new premises.

This new premises has been generously gifted to NVPC by Far East Organization, and a host of organisations and individuals have come forward to donate their time, expertise and resources to make this community-based giving hub a reality. The place is awesome, do check it out the next time you are near there, you may find books on volunteering there. =)

Well, this post is not only saying as to how the place is like but to thank those who have attended yesterday NVPC volunteer orientation. It's great to see people who are willing to learn a bit more about local volunteering scenes.

Also, a BiG THaNK you to those who have signed up for a visit to SILRA Home on this Saturday, 30 August, 2pm till 6pm. We will meet at Ang Mo Kio MRT station at 1.30pm before proceeding to SILRA. If you are also interested to join us on this Saturday, please drop us an email or join us at 80 Buangkok View, Buangkok Medical Park on every Saturday from 2.00pm till 6pm.

Photos from 7th Month Cele @ SILRA

Dear friends,

Its been a long time since we blog, if you have been waiting for this, guess you didn't wait in vain as this new post will leave you in awe (especially if you were not here for our 7th Month Celebration) For those who came, bet that you had a fun time @ SILRA during our 7th Month Celebration. We also had an Open House to volunteers from Brighthill Evergreen, Moral Home and not forgetting our in-laws: All Saints Home.

This Open House idea is to allow volunteers from different Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs) to feel and experience on how other volunteer groups are like..also hoping that can find things to improve on thru a 3rd party perceptive. Lastly, the key thing is to bring back what the volunteers think can be implemented into their activities.. if you still havn't catch me, you ain't know wat you are missing at..

Okay enough of that, let's us recap on 16 Aug - 7th Month Celebration..

Our Group Photo

Volunteer Orientation 28 Aug Thursday

Hi folks,

it’s here again! Yes, Volunteer Orientation!

A chance to seek fresh blood to join us. Besides, at NVPC, we would also like to invite your friends, colleague or family members to join us this round, if they are interested. Remember our date is on this Thursday (28 Aug-NVPC) and Saturday (30 Aug & 6th Sept-SILRA).

Attached is the tentative schedule for the coming Sep - Oct, please note that our existing schedule is still in place..

Date Special Events

30 Aug Volunteer Orientation / Wheelchair Handling

6 Sep Volunteer Orientation / Mid-Autumn Celebration

13 Sep Dialect Session

14 Sep Sunday - Walk in the Park ~ 8 am to 12 noon

(Volunteer Bonding Session @ South Ridge Park) - Please revert your interest to SILRA Mailbox, thanks.

27 Sep ESN Carnival @ Yishun Junior College

We need your valuable help to share your wonderful experience at SILRA with the potential volunteers to join us in serving the elderly at SILRA.

The details are as below:

Date: 28 Aug 2008 (Thursday)
Time: 7pm to 9:00pm
Venue: NVPC (National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre)

NVPC at The Giving Place is located in The Central, a shopping mall directly above Clarke Quay MRT

NVPC at The Giving Place
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#04-88 The Central
Singapore 059817

http://www.nvpc.org.sg/Pgm/Others/NVPC_F_GetteingNVPCbyTrain.aspx

Monthly Food Fair-Kaya Toast with Kopi