The SHKP Volunteer Team is dedicated to helping the needy and set a new record for hours of community service in 2005. The Team works to establish long-term relationships with client groups to better understand their needs. Sun Hung Kai Properties recently held its third SHKP Volunteer Team Recognition Day to acknowledge all the volunteers' hard work and commitment.

SHKP Vice Chairman and Volunteer Team captain Raymond Kwok was at the ceremony to thank the volunteers for their contributions, which form part of the developer's community care programme. Mr Kwok said that the Social Welfare Department was a frequent partner in community programmes and presented the Team with the department's Highest Participation and Highest Departmental Participation awards. Some volunteers talked about their experience by video and through role playing.

Understanding the needy

The Volunteer Team was set up in 2003 and now has over 1,000 members who did nearly 14,000 hours of service last year; 3,000 hours more than in 2004 / 2005. The Team and the NSSC cooperated on the 'Will Power' Child Nourishment Project, in which volunteers became individually involved in fostering young people's growth. The Team and the Hong Kong Society for the Aged also provided various services to the elderly, such as cheering them up with regular phone calls. The volunteers provide much-needed services and build relationships with the recipients to better understand their needs.

Helping elderly people resettle

Team volunteers helped resettle 300 elderly residents affected by the Shek Kip Mei Estate redevelopment over the past year, with materials provided by Sun Hung Kai Properties. The developer also provided copies of books recommended by the SHKP Book Club to youth service organizations, to foster a culture of reading among young people.

Volunteer Team leader Michelle Leung said that the team has Elderly, Child & Youth, Building Homes with Heart and Disabled Care squads to provide specialized service to different segments among the needy, and that the Team would continue to live up to its social responsibility to serve the community.