Like many other non-government organisations (NGOs), to combat the reality of shrinking financial resources both in maintaining the current and launching new servicing programs, HKCS attempted both solo and joint-fundraising formats to ensure smooth running of our services.

'Care & Love for Elders' Charity Tickets

HKCS participated in a joint fundraising campaign program when 38 organisations that provide elderly services worked hand in hand to raise funding their services through sales of‘Care & Love for Elders’charity tickets from 29 November 2003 to 17 January 2004. Each charity ticket was sold for ten dollars and the total proceeds of sales from each individual organisation, net from the 15% administrative fee, would be considered the fund raised.

With the joint effort from our staff, clients and volunteers in this campaign, we had successfully raised a net amount of over HK$450,000 and that was indeed encouraging. After careful discussion and approval granted by our Management Committee, $50,000 from the amount raised would be designated as an emergency aid for the elders who might be facing critical financial crisis. The remaining amount would be allocated in the long-term development to purchase a premise for our Continuing Education Centre for the Elderly.

Fundraising Walkathon

With the enthusiastic support from friends, our staff, their relatives and our clients, the first HKCS fundraising walkathon took place in March; and it also proved to be success. We had raised an approximate amount of $540,000.

Most of the amount raised will be allocated in various service development plans while portion of it will go into the support of our current programs that are in urgent needs of funding. Upon thorough review, the following programs are the ones that will receive funding supports:

1. "'Let's Walk Project" is a program that serves the youths, who are considered 'unengaged' (ie. neither students nor workers in society) and 'invisible' ( ie. isolated from society). It aims to help these youngsters identify their goals in life, set directions and equip themselves to returning into the community.
2. Reconstruction of the training restaurant at the Hotel & Catering Service Department in our Kwun Tong Vocational Training Centre.
3. Employment of a part-time social worker (on a one year contract) to expedite the completion of a series of booklets on caring and training the various types of handicapped children as well as teaching kits for their parents.
4. The purchase of occupational and physiotherapeutic services for our two Elderly Centres.
5. A comprehensive system on strengthening our volunteers, expenses are required for recruitment posters and banners; a CD production on volunteers orientation; web page and volunteers recognition events.

The demonstration of solidarity and the team spirit amongst everyone at HKCS and among its clients has given us success in the first attempt. As a result, we are confident that good results will be seen again in the years to come.