PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation helped cupid spread some love and cheer in celebration of Valentine's Day last week.
The foundation donated a total of 250 teddy bear gifts to senior citizens of the Home Away from Home: Taking Care of the Elderly Foundation, St. Martin's Home clients and All Children's Education (ACE) Foundation school pupils and teachers. The intention was to help the elderly and youngsters feel the spirit of love, an emotion that Tzu Chi promotes.
A total of 100 teddy bears were donated to the Home Away from Home seniors at the John Larmonie Center and 90 to ACE pupils and teachers on Friday, February 14, while 60 were presented to St. Martin's Home clients on Sunday, February 16.
The Home Away from Home seniors were pleasantly surprised by the impromptu Tzu Chi visit. The seniors usually get together thrice weekly at the John Larmonie Center to play games and socialize. Some also engage in handicraft and fancywork, while others follow computer classes.
Home Away from Home President Patricia Flanders started out the group's Valentine's Day activities with a prayers and special messages by elderly members. Their event was themed: "What is the real meaning of love."
After singing some hymns there was a buffet lunch, which was followed by the visit of the Tzu Chi Kindergarten students, whom the seniors warmly welcomed.
Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung expressed her gratitude for being able to share in their Valentine's Day celebration. The pupils along with teachers Bradly Attyl and Yamile Bastidas performed sign language songs. "It was obvious that the well-trained students showed all their love and compassion for their audience and they received a big applause," commented one senior in the group.
Pupils presented the seniors with teddy bears and the joy in their faces upon receiving their new furry friends was evident. One senior said the big pink teddy bear she received will be the granddaughter she never had. She always wanted to have grandchildren and her only son vowed that he will never have children. This gift was accepted as a blessing for her.
St. Martin's Home seniors and ACE pupils and teachers extended similar appreciation to Tzu Chi for the Valentine's Day gesture.
Tzu Chi Press Release
