There was excitement in the air and the heavy downpour did not dampen the moods of the couples who were gathered under a white marquee, in the presence of family members and friends on the special date 20.11.2011. It was THE day for the 92 couples who were taking the step towards marital bliss and 10 couples who were renewing their vows across 21 solemnisation points in Marina Waterfront.

Mr Andrew Chen and Ms Soh Kai Yiing kick-started the event with a grand entry in a wedding sedan, clad in traditional wedding costumes. They led the other 101 couples in the grand march-in, an experience that was truly memorable for them. Mr Chen shared, “Participating in the event was a wonderful experience for us. This was certainly a meaningful event for couples to tie the knot and celebrate their joys together, in the presence of their friends and family.”

Another couple, dragon boat enthusiasts Mr Nicholas Aw and Ms Emily Lin, accomplished a team feat by cruising in on a dragon boat with their rower friends. The bubbly bride, who was wearing a customised t-shirt with a pair of shorts said, “We got to know each other as freelance dragon boat coaches with the People’s Association (PA) nine years ago. PA not only helped me pursue my passion in dragon boating, but also indirectly played a role in finding my soulmate.”

Into its third year, this was the first “I Do” Weddings which incorporated a segment on the renewal of marriage vows, to inculcate in the younger generations the importance of family values such as love and respect. For Mr Lim Wui Meng and Mdm Yeong Suet Mui, one of the 10 couples who renewed their marriage vows, this event held a special meaning for them as they celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary on this date. Their son, Mr Daniel Lim, 15, said, “I am very excited to be able to witness my parents’ renewal of marriage vows. They have been very loving and committed to each other and are exemplary of a loving couple who have been supportive through the ups and downs in their lives.”

As part of PA’s efforts to build a strong support for family formation, Family Life Champion (FLC) Solemnisers solemnised and renewed the marriage vows for the participating couples at the event. And on this hot date 20.11.2011, about a third of the total civil marriages in Singapore were conducted by the 58 FLC Solemnisers. Please click here to catch a glimpse of the event.

1200 carnival-goers of all ages, races and estates had fun with different family-themed competitions at the '3G Family Togetherness Carnival' organised by the Family Life Champions of Tanjong Pagar GRC and Radin Mas SMC on Sunday, 13 November 2011.

Activities such as the 3G Pasta Cooking Competition and 3G Pizza Making Competition were introduced to promote intergenerational bonding in the community. Among the key highlights is the Happy Family Game 2011 Competition Final. As an initiative ‘for families, by families’, 16 finalists creatively designed card games that all family members can play. The winning entry from the Family Category was ‘Fair & Square! A Family Affair!, an innovative game to help resolve the challenges of delegating responsibilities such as household chores fairly.

The families were joined by the Guest-of-Honour Major-General (MG) Mr Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Minister of State for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, and all Grassroots Advisers to Tanjong Pagar Grassroots Organisations (GROs).

Click here to catch the action going on at 3G Family Togetherness Carnival!

Date/Day: 7 August 2011 (Sunday)
Venue: Yio Chu Kang Stadium
Organiser: Yio Chu Kang Grassroots Organisations

To celebrate Singapore’s 46th birthday, the Yio Chu Kang FLC, Mdm Daisy Koh, started the CARE Community Drumming Interest Group and the Jenga Family Game Interest Group in conjunction with the Yio Chu Kang National Day Observance Ceremony.

YCK CARE Circle Community Drumming
Despite having no prior experience, the participants of Yio Chu Kang National Day Observance Ceremony had a great time trying their hands at playing some of the percussion instruments. Equipped with shakers, drums and tambourines, families came together and produced an ensemble of rhythms and beats.

Jenga Family Game
Besides the drumming, the human-sized Jenga also attracted many enthusiastic participants, who took on the challenge to build a structure as high as possible without tumbling it. Many young adults, parents and children teamed up to outwit their opponents, and got to know the other participating families in the process.

Click here to view photographs of the event

YCK CARE Community Drumming – Catch the families in action!