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Changing Young Lives Foundation Announces 2012 Signature Fundraising Event

Changing Young Lives Foundation
2012-05-29 17:57 1462

HONG KONG, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Hong Kong's Changing Young Lives Foundation's (CYLF) signature fundraising event, the Festival of Trees (FOT) will be held on Thursday 14th of June 2012 in the Grand Ballroom of the Conrad Hotel. Themed DIY Construction Party, this year's FOT is dedicated to the construction of both children's self-esteem and confidence, and the Foundation's many programmes. FOT is the cornerstone of CYLF's annual fundraising activities.

"CYLF is completely dependent on public support and donations and does not receive any kind of government subsidy, which makes FOT one of its most important events. Without subsidies, it has the flexibility to build the right programmes for the children and youths it supports," said Jane Chao, Co-Chair of the Festival of Trees.

Chaired by renowned socialites Mrs. Sally Thompson, Ms. Jane Chao, and Mrs. Bonnie Li, this year's FOT will feature CYLF's children's choir and its youth band "Free Lives", as well as a lion dance. Also featured are a duet by Hong Kong singer and actress Ms. Wong Hing Peng and award winning singer songwriter Howard McCrary. To raise funds, tickets to FOT are sold at HK$5,000 per seat, advertisements are placed in the event programmes, and an auction will be held during dinner. Through these activities, the Foundation hopes to raise HK$1.8m.

The DIY Construction Party theme reflects CYLF's vision of improving the lives of children and youths through the construction of development, education, participation and protection programmes. Each year, the children are encouraged to get involved in fundraising events, and this year Rythms International (HK) Ltd provided volunteers to help the children design and build little buildings for auction.

"During last year's FOT, we raised HK$2.3m. This fund was used to maintain the Learning Centre which provides a space for over 1000 children to learn. It also supported Hong Kong programmes like the Slam Dunk challenges for youths, the Brain Box for children with learning difficulties, English for immigrant children, and its Mainland project schools. All funds raised go back into the Foundation so we do not have an advertising budget.  We hope that through events like FOT we can raise awareness of our work," said Sally Thompson, Co-Chair of the Festival of Trees.

Children are like trees, they need to be nurtured. Sadly, in Hong Kong, only privileged children are provided with the opportunities they need to grow.  Living in this glamorous city are 380,000 underprivileged children. No one charity can help them all, but CYLF is doing its part through organising free programmes for the forgotten children living in the Pak Tin Estate in the economically depressed area of Shek Kip Mei. These programmes, organised on a daily basis, provide children with opportunities for development, education, friendship, and protection. 

CYLF is grateful to Sino Group, Beyond Desert, Galerie Huit and many more. Without the support of these organisations, FOT would not have been possible.

Source: Changing Young Lives Foundation
Keywords: Education Fashion
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