Volunteers from Hong Kong law firm Deacons spread joy among elderly
Local and ethnic minority elders take part in event held as part of law firm Deacons’ 14-year-long support for Operation Santa Claus
Fun and merriment filled a recent gathering of elderly people from Hong Kong and ethnic minority groups who played, sang and learned gardening with volunteers from a local law firm.
The event on December 7 was part of law firm Deacons’ 14-year-long support for Operation Santa Claus (OSC), an annual fundraising initiative held by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK.
The party took place at the Epworth Neighbourhood Elderly Centre of the Methodist Epworth Village Community Centre, Social Welfare, whose latest project to promote inclusion and support people from ethnic minority groups is being funded by this year’s OSC campaign.
Twenty-three regular centre visitors, including people from ethnic minority groups, and 28 Deacons volunteers took part in the event. They played floor curling, attended a pot-planting workshop, chatted and sang.
They also helped decorate the venue to create a Christmas atmosphere.
“A key goal of this event is to connect elderly individuals from ethnic minorities to the wider local community, promoting age-friendliness and social inclusion. We hope all participants have a heart-warming day of connection, creativity, and celebration,” Deacons senior partner Lilian Chiang Sui-fook said.
The event cheered up Marina Jan, a 68-year-old Pakistani woman who attended the pot-planting workshop.
“The volunteers showed appreciation of what I was able to do, and helped me when I was unable to do something myself,” she said. “I am also happy doing things together with the locals.”
