Charities to support this Christmas
Want to give back to your community? Here’s how you can spread kindness and lend a helping hand this ChristmasOperation Santa Paws
Whiskers N Paws have launched their annual charity drive ‘Operation Santa Paws’ which will run until January 1. Started in 2013, “Operation Santa Paws” invites the public to bring holiday cheer to shelter animals during this giving season by donating new or second-hand pet supplies, as well as animal food and snacks, to local organisations that rescue stray animals. Those wishing to donate, just need to log in to the Whiskers N Paws event page and scan the QR Code to donate directly to designated Animal protection organisations to support their daily operations, purchase supplies and care for the needs of animals.
Feeding Hong Kong
Every day, more than 3,200 tonnes of food waste is sent to landfills in Hong Kong, while more than one million people live in poverty struggling to afford nutritious meals. Feeding Hong Kong is on a mission to change that. Get involved in its Santa Sack Food Drive 2022 this Christmas with community collection points across Hong Kong. Drop off canned soups, beans, vegetables and cooking oil and they will be delivered to families in need this Christmas, or organise your own community food drive. You can also join warehouse sessions or bread runs to help out in its trials to reduce food waste. Check its website for a schedule of volunteering opportunities.
Box of Hope
Box of Hope is an annual Christmas initiative which typically involves schools, teaches Hong Kong children the gift of giving by encouraging them to each fill a decorated shoebox with a number of small items that are useful, educational and fun. These boxes are then distributed to children in need across Hong Kong and Asia. Volunteers are also needed for a variety of jobs, notably checking, packing and labelling boxes before they are shipped off. Earlier this month, CEO Sian Taylor retired after eight years of involvement. She has been replaced by Lisa Beattie, who has been involved with the Box of Hope team since 2017, initially as a Box Checking volunteer and laterally leading the Corporate Team. Box of Hope has completed collections for 2022 but keep an eye out for the 2023 drive which will begin next summer.
Hands On Hong Kong
Not sure what you want to commit to or even if you have the time to volunteer regularly? Hands On Hong Kong has done all the legwork for you by finding and scheduling dozens of volunteering opportunities each month, enabling you to help with high-impact projects at non-profits, schools and other organisations. Jobs include serving hot meals to underprivileged families and delivering daily necessities to the homeless.
Angels for Children Gift Appeal
The Angels for Children Secret Santa is an annual Christmas gift drive for the residential children of Po Leung Kuk’s small group homes, along with the Society for Community Organization (SoCo) who support children living below the poverty line. The Secret Santa gift appeal started in 2014. This was the first time PLK and SoCo children could request a specific Christmas gift from Santa. Angels for Children collects this Christmas wish list each year and puts it out to donors and the wider community. The gifts are then delivered by Santa to the children over the holiday season. Children are all being cared for by PLK due to incredibly difficult circumstances at home and that is why it gives the team at Angels for Children great pride to be able to deliver a gift to each child that they have chosen personally. SOCO has also observed a lowering in living standards amongst many of the underprivileged families they support, therefore SoCo has had requests from 4,000 families for support this Christmas, many of whom are asking for help to purchase new school shoes and textbooks. The appeal offers supporters the chance to donate payment directly for these items.
Sai Kung Stray Friends
Sai Kung Stray Friends volunteers will be out from 10am to 9pm at Theatre Lane, Central on December 15, 16, 17, 21 and 22 to raise funds for the charity. Bring a little Christmas Cheer by coming to show your support in a variety of ways by volunteering on the stall, buying a calendar to gift as a Christmas present, buying a donated gift for a human or for a dog, donating, asking about adopting one of the dogs or enquiring about volunteering at the kennel. Sai Kung Stray Friends is also looking for overnight storage on selected nights and would be grateful if anyone who can help could get in touch with lead volunteer Ruby via What’sApp on 9588 9291. The charity would like to thank the general public for all the support for the 200 stray dogs at the kennel, 30 dogs and 3 cats receiving meals on wheels and all the strays under the charity’s HK/China border watch.
Food For Good
Food For Good’s mission is very clear, to facilitate food waste reduction in Hong Kong. To do so, it promotes the recycling of lunch box leftovers, sets up school gardens and community gardens in housing estates. Food waste reduction also starts with promoting an environmentally-friendly way of eating. That’s why it also has community kitchens set up to redistribute surplus food to those in need. You can donate dry foods and sealed packages as well as volunteer to be part of the distributing groups.
