Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong children with autism go on picnic in Nina Park
‘Our members and their families thoroughly enjoyed the day out with the volunteers,’ programme manager Kenneth Chan says
A group of children with autism and other learning disabilities enjoyed playtime during an outdoor Christmas picnic in Hong Kong’s first and only wood fossil park, thanks to a city charity drive.
The youngsters and their parents headed to Nina Park earlier this month for a visit organised by Hong Kong property developer Chinachem Group, which has supported Operation Santa Claus (OSC) since 2021, in partnership with Love 21 Foundation, one of the beneficiaries of the annual fundraising initiative that supports the underprivileged.
“Nina Park and its facilities in Tsuen Wan were designed to be an inclusive space providing ‘edutainment’ experiences for everyone,” Avis Li, Chinachem’s corporate communications manager, said.
Supported by volunteers, the children took part in a dance workshop, a do-it-yourself Christmas pine cone decoration workshop and a picnic-on-the-lawn with assorted nutritious food prepared by Parkside@Nina, a nearby wood fossil-themed restaurant.
Each youngster was presented with a sports equipment gift set, comprising a fitness tracker bracelet, sports towel, insulated sports bottle and sports duffel bag, to encourage them to stay fit through exercising and adopting a healthy diet.
The visit was designed as a prelude to the foundation’s forthcoming 12-month nutrition and sports programme, which will be funded by proceeds from this year’s OSC initiative. It will provide participating children and their families with quarterly one-on-one dietary and health consultations, as well as weekly functional fitness classes.
“Our members and their families thoroughly enjoyed the day out with the volunteers,” said Kenneth Chan Lok-yan, programme manager for the foundation that works to empower Hong Kong’s Down’s syndrome and autistic community through sport, nutrition and holistic support programmes.
