Tan Guat Hong and Sherne Lee

Tan Guat Hong:

In the early 80s, I already joined the Marine Parade RC (Residents’ Committee) as secretary. My first project was “On the spot Children Art Competition”. Grateful to my then mentor Mr Lam Peck Heng who encouraged me to join the grassroots. Another meaningful event was to clean up our HDB Block.

My most memorable National Day Event was participating in the PAP contingent as a House Keeper in 1987. It was the late Mr Mah Guan Lin who was in charge. I thoroughly enjoyed it most.

In 2015, I represented our RC in the National Day Observance Ceremony and Carnival as a Samsui Woman (red head gear).

My next lap was being asked to lead the Active Ageing Committee under the umbrella of most partnering PA (People’s Association). We facilitated National Events like Danceton, Getai, etc.

Besides community work, I was involved in “Food from the Heart” where we distributed food to needy families in Marine Parade every Friday.

I also rendered rescue operations in the Hotel New World disaster from 15-21 March 1986. It was really heartwarming to witness the dedication of the many volunteers who were selflessly helping the victims.

Sherne Lee:

When I was born, I stayed together with my grandparents in a small HDB flat in Jurong. My cousins will occasionally come over to play block catching or police-and-thief around the block.

My memorable National Day Event was going to watch the National Day Parade together with my Primary 5 classmates and eating KFC while watching it.

In 2017, I represented my school in one of the well-known business proposal competitions and I was able to make it into the finale.

In 2018, I was asked to lead a class of 30 people to host a community event at Yew Tee. The event was a successful one.

Besides all of these activities, I have volunteered to play mahjong with the elderly at the community centre on Sundays.