Volunteers Paint the Classrooms of a Special School

23 individual volunteers went to a special school that serves mildly mentally disabled kids in Kwai Sing on 20 August. They helped to repaint the internal walls of the classrooms and everyone enjoyed the hard work. Now the students will start the new school year with fresh paint and bright colors. Thank you for your time – you did a great job!

Give & Gain Day 2013

Congratulations to the volunteers from Hong Kong companies who took part in Give & Gain Day on 16 May. For the third year running, Hong Kong was part of this international movement to drive employee volunteering. Volunteer events have been taking place throughout the month, with 16 May being the nominated "Give & Gain Day" in the HKSAR. On that day, around 160 volunteers from 17 companies took time out of their busy schedules to give back to the community.

45 volunteers, mainly from AXA and PwC Hong Kong, took part in an event in Mongkok run by HandsOn Hong Kong. The group spent the morning preparing, packing and distributing food parcels to elderly citizens on low incomes living in the neighborhood. The smiles on the recipients' faces were a wonderful reward for the volunteers' hard work. It was not just the parcels themselves, but the love and care that had been put into preparing them, that delighted the beneficiaries.

Special Series of Children’s Outings

Thanks to the pledges made at the HandsOn Hong Kong Gala Dinner last year, we have been able to organize a series of self-funded special outings for children over the past few months. So far, six activities have been held, benefitting nearly 200 children from different areas of the city. In February, some outings included visiting the flower market with a group of disadvantaged children, visiting Dialogue in the Dark with children from under-privileged families, and watching a 3D animation film at the cinema with mentally disabled children. Special thanks to the volunteers who took part, as well as to those whose donations made the events possible.

Enthusiastic Volunteers have made Great Contributions!

In December 2012, groups of volunteers from several different corporates have devoted their time to volunteer with HOHK. On 5,6 and 13 December, nearly 100 volunteers from Moody’s participated in six varied volunteering activities including visiting an elderly centre, visiting an animal shelter and wrapping festival gifts for underprivileged kids. On 14 December, a group of 14 volunteers from New Quest Capital visited an organic farm where they helped remove weeds. The produce grown on the farm will be used in the farm’s social-enterprise restaurants and shops that support people with mental illness in Hong Kong. On 21 December, nearly 40 volunteers from Telstra helped to paint the classrooms of a local village primary school in Sheung Shui and treated the students at school to a pizza lunch. We deeply appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers, thank you!

Volunteers enjoyed a BBQ with the disabled!

On 16 June, a group of volunteers enjoyed an afternoon with 25 teenagers and adults with physical disabilities. Despite a rainstorm, volunteers and beneficiaries had fun barbequing in Tuen Mun. The volunteers showed great enthusiasm under poor weather conditions while preparing food and materials, setting up the fire and serving the food. The group then played games and talked, giving the beneficiaries a special day even with the tough circumstances! Thank you to our tenacious volunteers!

Volunteers Provide Support at Hong Kong Special Olympics Competitions!

On 7 October, a team of volunteers spent the day helping at the Hong Kong Special Olympics’ Indoor Rowing Competition in Kowloon Park. The volunteers were given different tasks, e.g., helping the registration and leading the athletes to the ground. All athletes and volunteers felt the excitement of competition and enjoyed the day!