The SHKP Volunteer Team is in its sixth year. The volunteers put in over 50,000 hours of service during the past year, 20,000 more than the year before. Sun Hung Kai Properties Vice Chairman and Volunteer Team captain Raymond Kwok and Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS) Chairman Lee Jark-pui presenting awards to individuals and departments at the sixth anniversary SHKP Volunteer Team Recognition Day in appreciation of their contribution to society.

The SHKP Volunteer Team has put in nearly 136,000 service hours since its inception and has expanded from 700 to 1,400 members, showing greater enthusiasm to serve. A total of 216 SHKP volunteers were honoured this year, the most ever.

Encouraging family volunteering

Stephen Leung put in nearly 600 service hours this year, which won him first place for the highest service hours, and won the gold award with Florence Yip for putting in over 200 hours with their families in a new family participation category introduced by the Social Welfare Department. Welfare groups, AVS and SHKP management recognized at the event expressed pride in the enthusiasm demonstrated by the volunteers.

Spreading care to build a harmonious society

Raymond Kwok said: "SHKP follows the motto of 'building homes with heart' and corporate social responsibility by supporting different charities to make Hong Kong a harmonious home for all." He added that the SHKP volunteers try to help a cross section of society, including seniors, low-income families and people with disabilities. They also participated in programmes for young people and children from low-income families to promote healthy growth. Mr Kwok encouraged the volunteers to get their families involved in volunteering, saying that a common goal to serve will bring families closer.

Volunteer Team leader Michelle Leung said that participating in voluntary work gives a sense of achievement. Helping people makes team members realize that they should appreciate what they have. She encouraged colleagues and their families to join and help build a harmonious society.

Long-term service

The SHKP Volunteer Team takes part in a wide range of long-term programmes to optimize its impact. One initiative was to use professional skills to help senior residents of public housing estates relocate. The scheme was extended to Ngau Tau Kok Lower Estate this year, with even more seniors benefitting from the volunteers' expert service in household decoration, floor tiling and cleaning The volunteers also visited the seniors before the move, to make them feel cared for.

The SHKP Volunteer Team began a two-year programme in Tin Shui Wai that paired up team members with children from underprivileged families. Various activities will let the volunteers and children build ties so that the volunteers can guide the children to wholesome growth.