A GROUP of well-wishes, led by State Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang, donated RM117,000 to the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged during a visit to the home in Sungai Dua today.
In a simple ceremony, they presented a mock cheque to Datuk Seri Chong Eng, a trustee of Penang & Province Wellesley Silver Jubilee Fund, which is the home’s landowner.
“We want to thank Datuk Seri Law and his friends from Bukit Mertajam for their generous contribution. The purpose of such visits is to allow people to see firsthand how the home is managed,” said Chong Eng, who is also the chairman of the General Committee of the home.
“A lot of people are unaware that the home operates entirely on public donations, as they often assume it is government-funded. We encourage those who care for the elderly to step forward or consider initiating corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects here. The home requires RM4 million annually to maintain its operations,” she added.
The land on which the home sits was donated by the late Cheah Leong Keah in 1935. The facility currently houses about 130 residents, all over the age of 60 and in need.
Chong Eng mentioned that the home, which spans 22 acres, still has land available for development. She plans to propose allocating part of it for a fee-based elderly home and a small hospital.
She believes that revenue generated from the fee-based elderly home could help support the non-profit Silver Jubilee Home, while the small hospital would benefit the surrounding community, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement.
She also disclosed that, according to the home’s fund regulations, any development of the elderly home’s land must allocate 7% of the returns to fund the home’s operations.
According to Chong Eng, the home will hold a meeting on Oct 22 to discuss its development plan for the next two to three years.
Law expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to support the home and hopes that it will inspire other groups to contribute as the home is a non-profit organisation.
“We understand that the home needs assistance throughout the year. As Penang’s population is on its way to becoming an ageing society, the state government has already formulated policies to address the situation,” he remarked.
During the event, six residents shared their experiences of living in the home, expressing relief that they no longer have to worry about their next meal.
The home offers various amenities, including a dental room for check-ups and treatment, a locum doctor’s room, a rehabilitation centre with two in-house physiotherapists, a hair salon providing free haircuts and perms for ward residents, a karaoke room, Astro room, sewing room, game room, new SJH Boutique, library, recycling centre, bingo games, dancing classes, and more.
Also present at the ceremony were the home’s Admission and CSR officer Kathleen Maniam and several General Committee members, including Datuk Ooi Hooi Kiang (the home’s treasurer); Lim Choo Hooi (president of Penang Forward Sports Club); Datuk Nirmala Devi (former deputy director of the state Welfare Department); Dr Doreen Yeap Gim Ean (president of ASP Medical Group); Datuk Steven Ooi Siew Seong (S.O. Consultancy Sdn Bhd) and Jimmy Lim Eng Leong.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat