Dear Editor,
Seniors in the Greater Richmond Hill area were treated to a special holiday luncheon and showered with gifts by Indo-Guyanese community leaders of Little Guyana. The event was held at Villa Russo on 101 Ave and Lefferts. It was the 15th Annual edition of the luncheon to honour senior citizens from the Richmond Hill area – a most memorable experience. This holiday luncheon was organized by the Inter-community Civic Association, which is comprised of religious organizations, student clubs, businesses, civic groups, politicians, and individuals.
The Villa Russo Hall was transformed into a festively decorated atmosphere with party favours and Christmas paraphernalia. There was a Christmas tree and other decorative items, providing an atmosphere of fervour and celebration in the lives of the elderly.
Among the key organizers of the event are the Indo-Caribbean Federation, District Leader Dr Taj Rajkumar; United Arya Samaj Foundation, Harpreet Toor; Investors Bank, Kay Ramdat; Frank Singh, Stanley Raj, Queens Resource and Advocacy; Dr Vijay Lilliah, Mala Dasrat, Charlie Tax & Accounting, Son Son, etc. There were many sponsors of food and decorations as well as the musical entertainment. All the participants performed for free. Two young persons entertained the large gathering with a variety of Bollywood dances. There was lively deejay music.
The organizers said that the seniors have done a lot for the community, and as a token of appreciation for their hard work and contributions to the society, the organizers felt it necessary to fete them. The organizers said they did not want to invite everyone in the larger Caribbean community to come out en masse, fearing they would not be able to control the crowd. Hence, they restricted the event to a few hundred.
The event included a traditional Caribbean holiday luncheon (with party trimmings, cover, etc, followed by music and dancing interspersed with speeches.This is the fifteenth consecutive year of the luncheon that was initiated by Frank Singh, the Indo-Caribbean Fed and others. It started very small with just a few dozen seniors. But this year saw 400 feted in Richmond Hill and the guests included several non-Indians.
As Frank Singh, one of the key organizers and financiers of the event noted, the holiday event seeks to restore the youth and vigour in many of the elderly so that they can live a meaningful life in the last years of their life. The elderly did a lot for us as children growing up and it was a terrific gesture honouring and treating them well. One speaker added that Indian culture taught us to treat our elders with love and respect and that is what the organizers set out to do at the luncheon.
The luncheon was to find way to assist seniors with the loneliness and boredom of life in America post retirement. It allowed seniors an afternoon to leave their homes and to socialize with other others they had not seen for some time. It provided merry making and feasting as well as an opportunity to reminisce about a Guyanese or Trini Xmas. The old people expressed their appreciation of what the Indian community leaders had done for them.
The organizers deserve kudos for hosting a most wonderful, entertainment packed holiday luncheon. There were unlimited foods and soft drinks. The elderly had a most joyous time celebrating the yuletide season and the end of the year with all of them either clapping or dancing. They took part in the proceedings with lot of enthusiasm singing, dancing and cheering performers. They sang several old Bollywood songs of yesteryear and took to the dance floor when old chutney songs were belted out. The non-Indians cheered and also danced away showing off their skills at Bollywood dancing. As the celebrants left, each received a present in a lovely holiday bag.
I applaud the efforts of all to make the celebration such a success and a memorable event for the seniors. Serving the community is in the spirit of the Christmas holidays!
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
