The smiles on the faces of the elderly reflected their joy as they enjoyed captivating performances, received beautiful gifts, and celebrated the festival together, all of which made them feel deeply cared for and happy. On the morning of October 23, the Southern California Chinese Alumni Association continued its 20-year tradition of honoring the elderly during the Chongyang Festival by hosting a caring event at the Amity Day Care Center, offering festive blessings to over a hundred seniors. The event was not only filled with exquisite gifts and engaging performances but also sponsored by Wei Chuan Foods, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
In an interview, the president of the alumni association, Wu Dianlong, shared that this marks the 20th consecutive year they have held this event. He noted that while previous gatherings often took place at the Arcadia Community Center, this year’s decision to visit the Amity Day Care Center aimed to bring care directly to the seniors. “We hope this event allows our elders to feel the warmth and respect from society,” he explained, expressing gratitude to Wei Chuan and many alumni for their support and contributions, which enriched the event further.
The event organizer and former chairperson, He Peiyuan, mentioned that the choice of venue stemmed from an innovative approach during the pandemic. She recalled that in 2021, the alumni association first visited a day care center due to health regulations that prevented large gatherings. They remained committed to delivering blessings and gifts despite the circumstances. Under Wu’s suggestion, they continued this model in 2022 by visiting the Arcadia Day Care Center, which received enthusiastic responses from the elderly participants.
The day’s program was vibrant, featuring special performances by past champions of the Alumni Karaoke Competition. Performers included the 1999 men’s and duet champions, 2007 president Luo Zailing, 2022 women’s champion and current vice president Zeng Xiangyu, 2016 men’s champion Jin Shengcong from Tamkang University, and 2023 men’s and 2024 duet champions Liu Guolei from the Monrovia Lions Club. They delighted the elders with classic songs in Mandarin, English, and Cantonese, culminating in a group sing-along of “Hand in Hand” and a final chorus of “Love Me Well” that brought the event to a heartwarming close.
Hong Rongzhou, the head of the Amity Day Care Center, observed that the seniors were particularly elated by the engaging performances and the thoughtful gifts. “The alumni association’s kindness brought so much happiness to our elders. The performances were excellent, and the gifts were practical. Everyone is incredibly grateful,” he stated. In addition to the carefully arranged performances, the organizers prepared over 50 exquisite prizes, including red envelopes and massage cushions, enhancing the excitement of the day and ensuring a memorable Chongyang Festival for the seniors. He Peiyuan emphasized, “This year, we chose to bring our love to Amity, and we plan to continue promoting such caring activities in the future, allowing more seniors to experience the warmth of our community.”
