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.
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 said. "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, 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.
