A total of 85 St. Martin's Home residents and 46 Sr. Basilia clients were treated to a day of pampering, entertainment, and gift giving during the Tzu Chi Foundation's annual 'New Year's Blessings Visit' to the two facilities earlier this month.
Foundation volunteers led by Tzu Chi St. Maarten Commissioner Sandra Cheung visited the two facilities and held several fun and entertaining activities for clients.
The clients received massages, took part in non-strenuous exercises, miracle hands sessions and were entertained with a performance of the Lion Dance. The volunteers also prayed with clients and played games such as 'passing the ball."
They were also treated with a 2013 cake and given gift bags containing items such as Chinese oil, juice, biscuit, water, chocolate, a Teddy bear, cookies and other items.
Tzu Chi Foundation, a Buddhist compassion relief organization, which focuses on spreading cheer, love and joy to others, has been visiting the St. Martin's Home annually for about two decades. Cheung, who runs Cake House Supermarket on L.B. Scot Road, began the benevolent act two decades ago when the St. Martin's Home was located in Philipsburg.
She continued the act and added more activities after forming the St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation several years ago.
Cheung said it is always a blessing to add some cheer to the days of the seniors and the intellectually challenged in our community. She said it was a blessing to help them start off their New Year on a positive note.
