KUCHING: Some 500 senior citizens from residential homes, care centres and community organisations across Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Kota Sentosa, Serian and Bau are expected to attend the Senior Citizens Muhibbah Luncheon on Sept 5.
Organised by Lions International District 308-A2, Region 1, the luncheon will be held from 11am to 3pm at Raia Hotel Kuching as a gesture of appreciation for senior citizens and their contributions to families, communities and society.
Organising chairperson and Past International Director Datin Ellis Suriyati Omar said the event also supported the spirit of the International Day of Older Persons, observed annually on Oct 1.
“We will be celebrating the International Day of Older Persons annually on 1st October, but we are doing it earlier a bit because we have so many other projects in the month of October,” she said during a press conference at Lions Nursing Home here on Friday.
Ellis informed Lions members in Region 1, comprising Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Serian and Bau, had joined forces to organise the luncheon as part of their community service efforts.
She said the event, expected to cost nearly RM90,000, was made possible through government funding, individual and corporate sponsors, major sponsors and surplus from last year’s Journey of Service project.
“We also managed to get individual sponsors, corporate sponsors, major sponsors to make this event a great success,” she added.
Ellis said the organising committee was honoured that Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah had consented to attend as Guest of Honour.
The event will also be held under the patronage of Serembu assemblyman Datuk Miro Simuh.
A key highlight will be the presentation of 40 donated wheelchairs to senior citizens and care centres in need.
“These 40 wheelchairs are all donated. Some were even donated from Penang. We were actually targeting 50 wheelchairs,” Ellis said.
She cited recipients had been identified based on their needs, with some to receive the wheelchairs during the luncheon while others would have them delivered to their homes.
“We hope that we can give away as many as possible because this is meant for them. Some of them cannot even afford to buy a wheelchair,” she said.
Ellis stressed the luncheon reflected the Lions’ commitment to serving the community and improving the quality of life of senior citizens.
“We Lions in Region 1 are very united in service. We are all rooted in service, helping the community to bring up better living standards for the people, particularly in Kuching,” she said.
Senior citizens attending the luncheon will also receive goody bags and enjoy a special meal as well as entertainment as part of the programme.
