The SHKP Volunteer Team set a new record for community service in 2006, putting in over 22,000 hours helping the less fortunate – 9,000 more hours than the year before. The Team’s over 1,200 members put into practice Sun Hung Kai Properties' (SHKP) mantra of 'Building Homes with Heart'. SHKP Vice Chairman and Volunteer Team captain Raymond Kwok praised the volunteers for their enthusiasm and contribution at the fourth Team Recognition Day ceremony.

22,000 hours of service

Mr Kwok told the volunteers at the ceremony that he was impressed with the Team’s record hours of service and the fact that many brought family members along on volunteer assignments. The Team's work has earned praise for SHKP and individual staff. Mr Kwok presented awards including honours for Volunteer Service, Highest Participation and Highest Departmental Service Hours, from the company and the Social Welfare Department. SHKP instituted a new award to commend the volunteer who put in the most service hours, which went to Hong Yip Service Company Senior Area Manager Bondi Cheung with 461.

Some put in eight hours a week

A full 167 volunteers won awards from the Social Welfare Department, including 39 gold prizes for over 200 service hours in a year. Of these people, four did over 400 hours, which means they did an average of eight hours service every week.

Volunteering with family

Team leader Michelle Leung said that the team addresses different needs in the community, with dedicated squads for the elderly, children, young people and the disabled. The Team cooperated with the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council on a Child Nourishment project, and with the Hong Kong Society for the Aged to make regular visits and phone calls to cheer people up, check home safety and perform maintenance for the elderly. Ms Leung said that the Team would continue working with a variety of organizations to do more for the needy and encourage staff to volunteer with family.