US Navy joins hands with Disney VoluntEARS in Hong Kong to celebrate Chinese New Year with local elderly and children

(February 19, 2010－Hong Kong) More than 20 visiting US Navy personnel from the USS Nimitz joined Disney VoluntEARS in Hong Kong to celebrate the Lunar New Year with the local community for the first time. The enthusiastic crew learnt how to make Chinese dumplings and cakes to present to 60 elderly people who live in the Grace Nursing Home, to wish them good health in the Year of the Tiger.
Children who participated in the United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service‘s ‘Hey! Green!’ project volunteered to teach the crew how to make these Chinese specialties. Under the guidance of the children and Disney VoluntEARS, the crew enjoyed the cooking process.
To show their gratitude towards the crew, two of the elderly people from the Grace Nursing Home taught the crew Chinese calligraphy in order for them to write Chinese “fai chuns”.
One of the Disney VoluntEARS, Noble Coker, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s Park Operations Vice President, was glad that he had the chance to spread the blessings of the Year of Tiger to the community. “Although we have a special event at the Resort to celebrate the Year of Tiger, we want to share some Disney magic with the Hong Kong community. I wish you all a very happy Chinese New Year!”
An 88-year-old grandpa called Tsang Ho learnt Chinese calligraphy when he was small but this was the first time that he had taught his skill, “I am very proud! I never imagined that I would have the chance to teach foreigners Chinese calligraphy during Chinese New Year. I am glad that I can promote this Chinese tradition.”
“It is difficult to write Chinese words, but the experience was great and very meaningful” said Chelsea McCray. Ed Agustin from the crew was taught how to make dumplings. He said, “It’s been great to learn how to make dumplings. I will try to make these for my sons in the US, they will love them!”