2009-05-16 Active Participation by Caring Companies in the
Date of issue: 2009-11-9
The economy and society of Hong Kong have been undergoing adversities since the outbreak of the financial tsunami and Influenza. People in Hong Kong are coping with distress in livelihood. To raise the awareness of positive thinking and caring for families, a movement namely "Embracing Challenges Enriching Lives" has been jointly launched by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, its 25 social service agency members, and the 4 co-launching partners including the Social Welfare Department, the Community Chest, the Committee on the Promotion of Civil Education and the Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong.
A kick-off event was successfully held on 16 May 2009 at the Southorn Stadium in Wanchai, with 2,000 participants joining the event. Guests of honour shared their experiences and wisdoms of enriching quality of life in different aspects, including the Hon Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chief Secretary for Administration (the Officiating Guest), Ms Charlene Choi (the Ambassador), Mr Vincent Wong, Director of Strategic Planning, Commercial Radio, Ms Joanna Chan, President for The Hong Kong Association of Music Therapists, Mr Hung Chung-yam, former Hong Kong Cyclist, Ms Apple Tse, Supervisor for Hong Kong Christian Service and Ms Kathy Wong, Executive Director for Playright Children’s Play Association.
After the kick-off event, over 500 volunteers have participated in distributing 80,000 sets of souvenir pack in more than 10 districts in Hong Kong, of which over 300 volunteers come from 27 Caring Companies. Besides, 5 echo community events have been organised at the same time in the Southern District, Kowloon East and West, New Territories East and West. Volunteers from 70 Caring Companies and social service organisations partnered to design games for the public to spread messages of positive thinking.
Last but not least, over 300 workshops would be organised from May to December 2009, promoting values of positive thinking, caring for families and healthy living, of which 100 workshops would be catered for Caring Companies. Expected participants would be over 15,000.
We believed that life values are always more than money and materials. Positive thinking would always be helpful for relieving stress in challengeable times ahead.
A group photo among the committees of "Embracing Challenges Enriching Lives" and The Hon Henry Tang Ying-yen.
Corporate volunteers from Caring Companies distributed souvenir pack in more than 10 districts in Hong Kong with their families to spread message of positive thinking.
Passerby got the souvenir pack actively from Caring Companies’ corporate volunteers.
Echo community events have been organised at the same time in the 5 Districts. This is a snapshot from Park Central which organized by social service organizations in Kwun Tong District.
Echo community event in New Territories East at Tai Po Mega Mall was jointly organized by 14 Caring Companies and social service organizations. Ms Christine Fang, The Chief Executive for The Hong Kong Council of Social Service visited them with cheer.