To: Editors (for IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
Habitat for Humanity China Gala Benefit Dinner Successfully Raised Over $4 Million (27 April 2007, Hong Kong) Based in Hong Kong, the China chapter of global charity Habitat for Humanity (HFH) held its 2007 Benefit Gala Dinner at the Grand Ballroom of Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong today. The dinner received remarkable support and sponsorship from staunch donors including Piaget, Citigroup, Dow Chemical, Nike and the PMI Foundation etc. Over HK$4 million was raised from tonight’s event. At the Benefit, Dr. Darwin Chen, SBS, Chairman of HFH China said, “We are heartened with the great support coming from different sectors of our community. One of our most significant achievements in the last year was the successful completion of the Post-flood Rehabilitation Project in Shaoguan, which helped construct affordable shelters for 110 rural families whose houses were destroyed by floods, and the contribution of RMB850,000 micro loans at no-interest terms to the poor farmers last summer.” Stacey Morse and Sandra Mak co-chaired the Benefit Committee this year, with the programme professionally organized by renowned show producer Debbie Ng and Winnie Ng. One of the fundraising programmes – “Leave Your Mark” received generous donation from the guests who built a two-dimensional model house measuring 12 feet wide and 8 feet tall right at the foyer of the hotel. Multi-talented and charismatic Hong Kong celebrity Flora Zeta and Hollywood’s leading Asian American actor Russell Wong were the Guest Masters-ofCeremony. Korean musician Junghwa Shin (a member of the Benefit Committee) welcomed guests with her gracious harp playing. World famous band, D’Topnotes’ sung many golden oldies and made the dance floor irresistible. Hong Kong’s famous movie star, Michael Wong helped heighten the temperature at the Silent Auction by encouraging bids for a helicopter ride with him. Of course Title Sponsor Piaget also displayed their latest diamond collection and guests were mesmerized. HFH China is a member of the international charity group Habitat for Humanity and is dedicated to assisting the poor in building houses. Since its establishment, HFH China has been supporting poor families in rural areas in Hong Kong, Mainland China, e.g. the Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, as well as the disaster-response tasks in the Asia Pacific region to rebuild homes for victims, and providing safe and better shelter for needy people around the world. HFH China also provides micro loans at no-profit and nointerest terms to the poor farmers and victims for helping them to build their own homes. In Hong Kong, “The Home Safety and Improvement Program” of HFH provides home safety improvement services for the elderly living on their own and job opportunities for unemployed technicians.
### People who are interested in knowing more about Habitat for Humanity China can visit http://www.habitatchina.org or contact – Ms. Juliana Wong Habitat for Humanity China Tel.: 852-2858 2099 Fax: 852-2858 2091 Email: juliana@habitatchina.org
Ms. Gloria Lam A-World Consulting Ltd. Tel.: 852-2114 4971 Fax: 852-2865 4007 Email: gloria.lam@a-world.com.hk