Christmas Comes to Over 1,000 Disadvantaged Children Thanks to the Changing
Young Lives Foundation's Festival of Trees Christmas Appeal
HONG KONG, Nov. 27 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000
underprivileged children will enjoy a happier Christmas this year thanks to
the Changing Young Lives Foundation who with the generous support of the
public has exceeded its target of raising over 1,000 Christmas presents for
disadvantaged youngsters living in Hong Kong.
Launched a little over a month ago, the charity's Festival of Trees
Christmas Appeal aims to put a smile on the faces of vulnerable young people
throughout the festive season by ensuring that as many underprivileged
children as possible have a present to open this Christmas.
As part of this year's campaign, members of the public have been
encouraged to visit a free Festival of Trees Christmas Appeal exhibition
from November 25-28 at The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Central, to donate a
festive gift for Hong Kong's less fortunate children.
The exhibition itself features a host of specially decorated Christmas
trees designed by sponsors including Charmonde, Clarins, Chung Yuen
Electrical, Electronic Arts, Lane Crawford, Maxim's, Playmates, Salvatore
Ferragamo, Samuel Kung, and Toy "R" Us.
In addition, a cast of celebrity supporters including Maria Cordero,
Aristo Sham, James Thompson, Doreen Pao, David Harilela, Sharon Kwok,
Michelle Ong and Mildred Law will be attending a special cocktail reception
planned for tonight to help celebrate the charity's achievement.
Commenting on the 2006 Festival of Trees Christmas Appeal, the Changing
Young Lives Foundation's Executive Director, Ms Marcia Aw stated that she
was overwhelmed and delighted by the response.
"Events like Festival of Trees demonstrate the strong sense of community
support in Hong Kong," she comments. "As such, we are extremely grateful to
everyone who has supported this appeal which will help to brighten Christmas
for many children this year."
Although Hong Kong is one of the wealthiest cities in the world, Ms. Aw
points out that the Special Administrative region is still also home to
380,000 underprivileged children suffering from abuse, poverty,
homelessness, disability and illness.
With the help of volunteers, she notes that the Christmas parcels
donated will be distributed and delivered between now and Christmas Eve to
many of these children.
Furthermore, each of the promotional Christmas trees displayed at the
Festival of Trees exhibition is accompanied by HK$ 30,000 of goods donated
by the tree sponsors.
These distinctive trees will be auctioned to guests attending a special
Festival of Trees fund-raising Gala Dinner planned for the evening of
November 30, 2006 at the Island Shangri-La with all proceeds going to the
charity.
To contribute a Christmas present, or to make a cash donation, please
contact Ms. Corina Siu at (852) 2511 0505 for more information.
CHANGING YOUNG LIVES FOUNDATION
Changing Young Lives Foundation is a Hong Kong registered charity that
operates its own programmes in Hong Kong and the Mainland for disadvantaged
young people from the age of six to 18. They raise their own funds and are
fully accountable to their stakeholders.
Their mission is to identify disadvantaged young people and to change
their lives for the better. This is achieved through protection, education,
development and participation programmes. Their current programmes reach
some 3,000 young people in Hong Kong and in the Mainland they support over
25 schools and a school for children with special needs.
Changing Young Lives Foundation was established in 2006 and was formerly
known as Save the Children Hong Kong. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong
SAR, The Honorable Donald Tsang is our Patron.
For more details, please visit: www.changingyounglives.org.hk
MEDIA CONTACTS
Changing Young Lives Foundation
Marcia Aw
Tel: +852-2511-0505
Email: m.aw@changingyounglives.org.hk
Edelman
Martin Spurrier
Tel: +852-9318-3910
Email: martin.spurrier@edelman.com
JEM Worldwide
Janet Middlemiss
Tel: +852-2857-3832
Email: janet@jemworldwide.com
