Big Hearts

Kakis held our annual (we try to do so) charity drive. This year, we visited over 100 household at Circut Rd and Aljunied Cres area. Last sunday, we 1st 'interviewed'the folks, making a list of the items they need. There is a standard list which included toiletries and household goods. Then there is an additional list with fans, tv, mattresss, clothes etc.

After a week of hectic planning and purchasing trips, I am relieved that we have delivered the items yesterday. Lots of friends and friends'friends turned up to help. Abit chaotic at first, as we had many newcomers and we forgot about the additional items that we bought that has to be added to the standard pack list. In the end we had lots of canned peanuts left and ran out of detergent. Had to make some last minute purchases to complete the packs.

Aiyoh, this year, we were so busy and chaotic that we didnt take a group photo! To think that we have first started with 8 kakis, and doing just a cluster of families. We had at least 20 friends yesterday! Really have to thank everyone for their generous donation and for all the help in everyway. For sourcing the best price for the items, delivering the items to packing of the items.

Thanks to Bernard who volunteered to deliver the remaining items when he is free. (Some folks were not at home). For we sat the void deck wondering what to do with them. Re-visit a few units and managed to clear a few more bags.

After all the hard work, we gave ourselves a good treat at zhi char place at Toa Payoh. PT went to pack Oyster omelette for everyone to enjoy and a BIG dinner with crab, prawns, sotong, beancurd. Yummy. Had to wait for quite a long time as the place was packed. Lucky we had otah to eat and the company of good friends.

Thoughts for the day:
There are always ugly greedy folks. Many of the folks who asked for lots of items are actually the more 'well-to-do ones' in the list. Instead, the ones who truly needed our help were thankful for what they recieve and didnt ask for more.
I visited an uncle who needed help of a wheelchair. He had push himself around the tiny little room (which was pretty messy as well)and then lift himself to open the gate for me. Wanted to help him with the padlock, but he insisted on doing it himself. Looking at the box of items for him, i felt bad that that is all that we could do for him. He requested 10 cans of peanut to go with his porridge, shorts and a few other items. Little compared to what we have given to others. Sighz...