- A Hong Kong teen shares a few ways to give back this holiday season and help lift the spirits of those less fortunate
- Donating your time in the festive period can also boost your mental well-being too
A guide to some of the fantastic charities you can volunteer with this Christmas. Photo: ShutterstockPlane tickets, hotel rooms, travel insurance … why waste all the money for an overseas trip when you can revel in an equally enjoyable and more meaningful Christmas holiday in Hong Kong?
For starters, volunteering is the perfect option to go for during the holidays. It spreads warmth to the needy and on top of that, you can spend time with those you love while serving the community. If you have no idea where to start, here are some volunteering recommendations.
Foodlink Foundation works on reducing food waste and hunger in Hong Kong
Save bread for the needy
What: Aiming to help the homeless and low-income families while promoting sustainability, Breadline rescues leftover bread, saving precious resources while expressing love to the underprivileged. From Tsim Sha Tsui to Tseung Kwan O, Breadline and Foodlink Foundation’s bread-run events offer great flexibility, with more than 50 pickup points and time slots that you can choose from.
When: December 25; time flexible
Where: Kowloon and Hong Kong Island
Check out HandsOn Hong Kong’s website for more details.
Shopping with the elderly
What: To develop a healthy lifestyle, the elderly are encouraged to do physical exercise every day. Nevertheless, being tired and weak, they may have little motivation to do so. Hence, Hong Kong Christian Service Un Chau Neighbourhood Elderly Centre has organised a supermarket shopping activity to show care and support to seniors. This is an opportunity for you to keep the elderly company by engaging in some physical activity and chitchatting with them.
When: December 28; 10am-1pm
Where: Ground floor, Un Lok House, Un Chau Estate, Sham Shui Po
Check out HandsOn Hong Kong’s website for more details.
Tutor children from ethnic minority groups
What: If you prefer interacting with kids and teaching others, this volunteering activity organised by the Centre for Harmony and Enhancement of Ethnic Minority Residents gives you the chance to schoolchildren with work. As long as you are proficient in Chinese, you can register to be a volunteer at this event.
When: December 28; 5-7:15pm
Where: 4/F, 64 Tsun Yip Street, South Asia Commercial Centre, Kwun Tong
Check out HandsOn Hong Kong’s website for more details.
These are just some of the available opportunities, but there are plenty more. To find the service group that suits you most, search for other volunteering events that welcome youth to help and contribute to the community.
Remember, your small effort can create a big impact on others. So stop hesitating, and start volunteering now to create unforgettable memories this Christmas.