FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Habitat for Humanity Building Better Homes for the Needy in Hong Kong, Across Asia and Responds to the Pakistan Earthquake
Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong Room 501 Tung Che Commercial Centre 246 Des Voeux Road West Phone: (852) -2858-2099 Fax: (852) -2858-2091 www.habitat.org.hk
(HONG KONG, 20 October 05) In the run up to its gala benefit dinner on November 4, the organizing committee announced that it has raised over HK$4 million for Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong (HFHHK) to date. Major donors, including Piaget, The Coca Cola Company, Citigroup, Dow China, the PMI Foundation, Shangri‐La Asia and Kerry Properties, are lending their support to provide better housing for the poor in Hong Kong, rural China and elsewhere in the Asia‐Pacific region, including those hit by the 2004 tsunami and the recent earthquake in Pakistan. Habitat for Humanity has committed an initial HK$1.95 million for technical assistance and support to partner organizations responding to the earthquake in Pakistan, and aims to raise up to HK$7.8 million for reconstruction. Habitat will work with partners to assess damage, rebuild and repair homes and develop building centers to help put the millions of people displaced by the earthquake back into homes. The gala event sponsored, by Piaget at the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, will celebrate HFHHK’s inaugural year in Hong Kong and raise additional funds for improved or new housing for those in need. The fundraising effort was inspired by Irene Chu who helped launch the Benefit Committee with Jenny Tsun. The Committee is co‐chaired by Yumiko Kuok Honda and Stacey Morse. The theme of the exciting evening is “Dream and Reality”, with the programme organized by a production team led by Debbie Ng with Winnie Lo. Flora Zhang Tian Ai and Russell Wong will be the Guest Masters of Ceremonies. There will be performances by celebrity singers, such as Sharon Kwok, amateur Latin Dance Champions, a jewellery watch show featuring Piaget’s new collection and clothing by Dunhill, an Instant Win Raffle and a live automobile auction for a luxury BMW 740LiA.
“The generous support we have received thus far, from the Hong Kong community and businesses across the region, has enabled Habitat for Humanity to build its 200,000th home since it was founded in 1976 in the United States,” said the group’s Chairman, Darwin Chen. “This means that, worldwide, the organization has improved the living conditions for 1 million people.” Attending the gala ball will be Habitat for Humanityʹs new chief executive officer Jonathan Reckford who will be on his first overseas trip since taking on the post in September. In Hong Kong, Habitat for Humanity will upgrade and introduce safety measures for flats that often do not have working plumbing, or electricity for the elderly living on their own. People interested in learning more about how to get involved with Habitat for Humanity can visit www.hfhap.org Contact Person:
Ms. Juliana Wong, Project Coordinator Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong Tel: 852‐2858 2099 Fax: 852‐2858 2091 Email: Habitathk@biznetvigator.com Hong Kong Office website: www.habitat.org.hk
Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong Room 501 Tung Che Commercial Centre 246 Des Voeux Road West Phone: (852) -2858-2099 Fax: (852) -2858-2091 www.habitat.org.hk