Nearly HK$5 Million Raised At HFH China’s Hong Kong Gala
Second Fundraising Gala Supported By Long-Term Partners Such As Piaget, Citigroup And Dow Chemical
HONG KONG, 10th May 2007: Judging from the nearly HK5 million (US639,510) raised at Habitat for Humanity China’s recent fundraising gala in Hong Kong, the evening was indeed “An Impression to Remember”.
(Top) Some members of the Hong Kong benefit committee at the two-dimensional house which sported guests’ signatures. (Bottom) Guests letting their hair down on the dance floor.
Highlights: While Michael Wong (left) showed vocal support, Junghwa Shin lent a hand to the entertainment for the guests.
The gala on 27th April was supported by long-term Habitat partners such as title sponsor Piaget, which played a similar role in the inaugural gala in Hong Kong in November 2005. In addition to presenting a jewelry and watch show, Piaget also donated slightly over HK1 million toward HFH China’s and Habitat’s work in the region. Other strong supporters include Citigroup, Dow Chemical, Nike and the PMI Foundation. The final amount raised could be revised upwards after final receipts are added up.
During the gala, Darwin Chen, chairman of HFH China, said, “We are heartened with the great support coming from different sectors of our community. One of our most significant achievements in the last year was the successful completion of a rehabilitation project in Shaoguan (Guangdong province), which helped construct affordable shelters for 110 rural families whose houses were destroyed by floods, and the contribution of RMB 850,000 (US110,590) micro loans at no-interest terms to the poor farmers last summer.”
The guests had a variety of options to support Habitat’s work. There was a silent auction offering a free harp lesson, one-night stay at The Peninsula with spa treatment and a helicopter rendezvous with Hong Kong actor Michael Wong, among other things. The item “Leave Your Mark” was popular with many guests making donations and putting their signatures on a two-dimensional model house, 12 feet by 8 feet.
The dynamism of Hong Kong celebrity Flora Zeta and Hollywood Asian-American actor Russell Wong as the guest masters of ceremony kept spirits high and the buoyant mood continued till the evening’s close when guests took to the dance floor. Those present were also serenaded by D’Topnotes, a band that belted out golden oldies, and treated to a harp performance from Korean musician Junghwa Shin, also a member of the committee that organized the gala. Hong Kong actor Michael Wong also took to the stage to perform songs with a band.
Habitat for Humanity began its operations in 2002 in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in southern China. Two years later, project offices were opened in the neighboring provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi. In January 2006, Habitat for Humanity merges its operations in Hong Kong and China into a single entity. While the China programs focus on construction and hosting of volunteer teams, the Hong Kong office concentrates on fundraising, recruiting volunteers for build trips in the Asia-Pacific region and home safety and improvement projects in the territory for the elderly living alone on their own.