Tis’ the Season of Giving – Christmas Charity Events

Events and activities to support this Christmas!

If you look past all the tinsel, mince pies and festive parties, Christmas is all about giving. And not just giving endless secret santa gifts and stuffing stockings for friends and family! It’s about giving back to those that are less fortunate that us, especially people in our own community who lack basic necessities such as food and shelter. Do your part his winter and offer some support at the events and activities listed below to make Christmas a little warmer for those in need. Read on to find out about some of the charitable causes you can take part in this Christmas! It’s all about sharing the love.

Volunteer

Christmas Bread Run by Feeding Hong Kong

The Bread Run minimises food waste and feeds those in need. Bread Run volunteers collect fresh bread and sandwiches from various stores across Hong Kong before they close, and all the bread is then redistributed the same night or the next morning. This December, Feeding Hong Kong will be hosting special Bread Runs for you to join in with. They’re looking for Bread Runners to collect the bread at specified stores and then drop it off at the collection point. It’s simple and quick, and goes a long way for those in need… check out the details here!

When: 10, 15, and 22 of December
Where: Locations vary depending on the chosen bread store
How Much: Free!

Volunteer at HandsON Hong Kong 

HandsOn Hong Kong is a registered organisation that provides a network for volunteers. They aim to empower the community and address social issues through volunteer work. During this charitable month, HandsOn is hosting numerous volunteer programmes that you can participate in… take your pick.

Charitable Events

Laugh to Support HK’s Youth – Christmas Charity Comedy Night 

Head down to KEE Club on the 21 December for a night full of laughter and fun. Comedian Vivek Mahbubani, a Kely Support Ambassador, will be hosting the Christmas Charity Comedy Night… RSVP here.

When: 21 December, first session 7-8pm, second session 8.30-9.30pm 
Where: KEE Private Members Club, 6/F, 32 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
How Much: $500 per show (tickets includes 2 drinks).

Stockton’s Ugly Christmas Jumper Party

Drink and be merry, all for a great cause. This Saturday, super cool speakeasy bar Stockton is hosting a fundraising party with a portion of the proceeds going to the Half The Sky Foundation, supporting their Child Centres and programmes in China for underprivileged children. Don your ugliest jumper (you could end up winning $5,000 credit at Stockton if yours is the ugliest!) and get ready to indulge in one, two, three or more festive drinks. Your contribution will be your cover charge, so call ahead and make sure you reserve a spot – 2565 5268.

Shop and Dine for a Cause

Amazing Gift Platform

Purchase a Christmas gift for those in need this Christmas with the Red Cross “Plus You Amazing Giving” platform. You can purchase gifts to help underprivileged elders and teens, blood disease suffers, disaster victims, and other here. The gifts will truly make a difference in their lives, and will make some smile this Christmas.

Where: Purchase a gift for those in need here!
How Much: Choose to buy a gift that is $250, $600 or $1,000. Check it out!

Lam Tian Xing Charity Art Exhibition in benefit of Food Angel

This December, Mr Lam will be exhibiting his works in benefit of Food Angel at Exchange Square, so make sure you stop by to take a look! Food Angel is an organisation that saves foods that would otherwise be disposed of… it’s all about reducing waste in HK. Following safety and health protocol, the food is then used to make hot meals at the Central kitchen to support underprivileged individuals in Hong Kong. If you like what you see, you can make a charitable purchase of one of Lam’s beautiful floral ink paintings, with 50% going towards Food Angel.

When: 14-23 December
Where: The Rotunda, Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
How Much: Free

Order a Feeding HK Cookbook 

This cookbook is a great Christmas gift for all the busy bees in your life, as the recipes are quick, easy nutritious and budget friendly. Over 70 leading chefs volunteered for this project, contributing tantalising recipes that you won’t be able to resist trying yourself at home. All the profit from these sales will support Feeding HK’s “Chefs in the Community“, which pairs professional chefs with local charities.

Where: Order Online!
How Much: $200

 Eat, Drink, Donate – OSC Christmas Meal Campaign

This month, a number of restaurants are hosting great festive menus that include seasonal favourites, and 15% of their sales will go to Operation Santa Claus… Reserve your table now and eat for a good cause!

When: Until 18 December
Where: Various locations, depending on restaurant 
How Much: Prices vary according to restaurant

Reddie Bear Charity Sale!

Support Red Cross by purchasing their adorable Reddie Bear Belly Can. This super cute, practical bear is perfect as a gift for your bestie or you nieces and nephews, with proceeds going to REd Cross. You can easily add a Reddie Bear stationary set to your purchases, and gift it to many of the children in need this year. Over the past eight years, over 15,000 bear products have been gifted to underprivileged children around Asia, so get involved! You can purchase the items online or at various retail outlets.

Where: Purchase online or at various retail outlets.
How Much: Bear Belly Can $98; Bear Stationary Set $68

More …

Understandably, it’s a busy time of the year and if you’ve got your hands full but still want to help, you can easily donate. The great organisations listed below will make sure your funds go to the right people this holiday season. That being said, there are hundreds of worthwhile charities that are in need of great support, and not just at Christmas, but throughout the year too. Here at team Sassy, we all have a foundation that’s close to our own hearts, and we hope that together we can practice what we preach, and not turn the other cheek well into the new year…
Home of Loving Faithfulness

Home of Loving Faithfulness provides both the children and adults of Hong Kong who have mild to multiple disabilities a better quality of life amongst a peaceful family setting. They wish to relieve overburdened families and help them through any emotional stress they may be feeling – a caring and loving charity that is most definitely in need of support. Find out how you can help this Christmas here.

WonderWorks

Continuously growing from strength to strength, WONDERWorks provides women and children with a new lease of life, empowering those who hope to break away from the entertainment industry. The work they do has made such a difference to so many, exuding the spirit of Christmas and giving those without hope the chance to live a life free from violence and stigma. Find out how you can show your support here.

Christina Noble Children’s Foundation

After experiencing a traumatic childhood in poverty herself, Christina Noble travelled to Vietnam in the 80s and was compelled to help the street children she encountered. Since then, the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation has been supporting underprivileged children and those at risk of commercial or sexual exploitation since 1991. Primarily based in Mongolia and Vietnam, the foundation provides education and healthcare programmes as well as shelter and employment opportunities for those who need it most. There are so many ways you can help this fantastic organisation, by volunteering in Hong Kong, making a donation, fulfilling a wish (you can give a bike to a child in Vietnam or a ger to a family in Mongolia, amongst other things) or by sponsoring a child. Support a child all the way through to higher education and you’ll see the long-term impact you can make on someone’s life… it’s only $245 a month!

The Chicken Soup Foundation

Starting with just 60 kids in 2013, ChickenSoup now serves over 500 children between primary and secondary school age, nurturing and providing healthcare, inspiration and an education to those without hope. The dedicated work-force behind the scenes are made up of corporates and volunteers who dedicate their time to empower at-risk children in underprivileged communities here in Hong Kong. This incredible foundation strives to restore its children with strength and hope by providing regular support. Help their children heal and click here to see how you can make a difference.

Apart from the charities mentioned above, make sure you find out about Operation Santa Claus, Feeding Hong Kong, Red Cross, Food Angel, and HandsOn Hong Kong too… there are so many worthwhile organisations striving to make a difference in our city and beyond.

Here’s to giving this holiday season!