To achieve this in a more focused way, we established Sino Caring Friends in 2008; the initiative encourages further participation in these worthwhile activities, and through it our team continued to help people in need in 2019.
In June 2019, 17 residents of Ho Shing Home for the Elderly (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen) visited Ocean Park with Sino Caring Friends. For some, it was the frst time they had visited the home-grown Hong Kong attraction. ‘In addition to visiting Ocean Park, they appreciate the care and efforts of Sino Caring Friends. Many of them are eager to share their happiness with their family members,’ Social Work Team Leader Mr Yeung shared.
Water fun continued to be a highlight in 2019. In August, we hosted the Sino Care × HKSR Waterwheel Fun Day at Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel and Golden Beach. Wheelchair users from The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, accompanied by Sino Caring Friends and volunteers from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, enjoyed water fun thanks to the Waterwheel flotation devices.
For some, the occasion was the first time they had visited the popular Hong Kong attraction
At Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for reunion, Sino Caring Friends and social workers from the Society for Community Organization visited 55 less-privileged households in Sham Shui Po. The team shared not only gift bags, but happy moments and festive cheer with the families.
Promoting volunteering continues to be an important focus. In October, we sponsored more than 140 staff members and their families and friends to participate in the AVS Run & Walk for Volunteering, the Agency for Volunteer Service’s annual fundraising event. The funds raised go towards promoting the sustainable development of volunteerism in Hong Kong. The Group received the Top Fundraisers Award (Team) — Bronze and the Most Supportive Team Award — Silver.
December brings Christmas, and in the spirit of sharing and caring, Sino Caring Friends organised a series of Christmas parties in collaboration with our NGO partners to celebrate festive season. Volunteers packed gifts and learnt balloon twisting to jazz up the celebrations held with more than 600 families. We held Christmas gatherings with residents of the Ho Shing Home for the Elderly (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), where we shared hotpot meals and made handcrafts together, and with the children of the Precious Blood Children’s Village, where we enjoyed a barbecue. We brought festival cheer to other less-privileged children with parties at the Evangelical Free Church of China — Evangel Children’s Home and the SAHK Pak Tin Pre-school Centre. Thanks to the support of the Society for Community Organization and the YWCA Sham Shui Po Integrated Social Service Centre, we spent two days visiting the homes of families in Sham Shui Po, sharing gifts and joy.
Our heartfelt thanks to our community partners and Sino Caring Friends, who continue to help us cheer up the community.
At Mid-Autumn Festival, Sino Caring Friends and social workers from Hong Kong’s Society for Community Organization visited less-resourced households to share gift bags and festive cheer. At Christmas, the team celebrated with the elderly and less- resourced children, bringing cheer, gifts and a special appearance by Santa Claus
Sino Caring Friends and volunteers from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department also hosted wheelchair users from The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation at the Sino Care × HKSR Waterwheel Fun Day at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel and Golden Beach
