The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been honoured with a 2008 China Charity Award from the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China to recognise its outstanding charity work, especially its contributions towards relief efforts following the snowstorms in early 2008 and the Sichuan earthquake in May. Club Steward Philip Chen received the award on the Club's behalf today (5 December) at the 2nd China Charity Conference in Beijing. President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao met the award recipients at the Conference, while Deputy Premier Hui Liangyu and Minister of Civil Affairs Li Xueju presented the awards.
In meeting the award recipients, President Hu Jintao expressed his wholehearted appreciation and gratitude for their long-standing contributions to national charity work. Mr Hu said the Sichuan relief initiatives were the largest fund-raising events since the nation's establishment, and had accomplished encouraging achievements. He pointed out that community and charitable projects were worthy causes that could help improve people's livelihoods and build a harmonious society. Spreading humanitarianism required support from the community to provide timely services to those in need and to help the growth of a philanthropic culture.
According to a paper of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, in recognition of individuals, enterprises and charity projects that contribute significantly to national charity work, and to promote charity in society and encourage community participation and support for the development of charity work, it has decided on this year's winners of the "China Charity Award", in accordance with the regulations as set out in the award recognition method. Following the processes of nomination, screening by the judging panel and public notice, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has decided to bestow the "China Charity Award" on 336 individuals, enterprises, organisations and charity projects. Of the 48 winners in the foreign company category, including those in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, the Club was ranked the second.
"The Club's not-for-profit business model ensures that its surpluses go back into the community," Mr Chen said. "As well as donating more than HK$1 billion annually over the past decade to support charity and community projects, the Club has always stood ready to meet emergency needs or fund special projects." When the Sichuan earthquake occurred in May, the Club not only made an immediate emergency contribution of HK$30 million to support relief work, but also mobilised public support by launching a public-raising drive for the earthquake victims. Collection boxes set up at the Club's Off-Course Betting Branches, four clubhouses, two racecourses and headquarters building collected over HK$9.5 million in donations from the public and Club employees. A further RMB60,000 was raised at the Beijing Clubhouse.
Mr Chen noted that two months later, the Club pledged to contribute a further HK$1 billion towards suitable post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Sichuan. "We recently announced four initial reconstruction projects that will focus on medical and education services," he said. "They are reconstruction and expansion of rehabilitation facilities at Mianyang 3rd City Hospital; reconstruction of the Mianyang Youxian Zhongxing Junior Middle School; construction of new buildings at Deyang No.5 Middle School; and extension of the Dujiangyan School to become an Olympic School. These four Club-funded projects will benefit people of different ages and backgrounds and bring them new hope. The four projects, costing RMB400 million in total, are expected to be completed within 27 months and will benefit more than one million people a year."
Mr Chen said that the Club had always been with Hong Kong people during critical periods, helping position Hong Kong as an international city and improve people's quality of life. "We believe that benefits to Hong Kong society are what we are looking for. It is most important to join hands with Hong Kong people to continue working for the betterment of society," he commented.
The Club also has its own employee volunteer team, CARE@hkjc, who give up their spare time to participate in a variety of community service activities. Club Executive Director of Corporate Development Kim Mak said the volunteer team, with some 400 members, was eager to provide more assistance to the earthquake victims. "In order to make good use of their manpower and resources, we will select a specific group of beneficiaries to serve," he explained. "Our target group is disabled young people as it is essential to give them comfort and encourage them to live with self-confidence and fortitude."
In addition, the CARE team is planning to invite Hong Kong's Paralympic Games athletes to pay visits to Sichuan Province. "Through experience sharing with our Paralympian athletes, we hope to encourage disabled young people in the province to have a positive attitude towards their future," Mr Mak observed. "We believe this kind of experience sharing will not only bring them new hope, but also help them consider developing their career in the sports industry."
As well as contributing to the Sichuan earthquake relief efforts, the Club earlier moved into rapid action following the severe snowstorms across many provinces of China in February. The Club made an immediate emergency donation of HK$10 million and launched a fund-raising drive called "Action Red Packets", calling on Hong Kong people to donate their lai see money received over Chinese New Year to those affected by the snowstorms. To encourage the public's active participation it additionally pledged a matching donation of up to HK$20 million. As a result, total Club and public donations exceeded HK$33 million.
The China Charity Award, co-organised by The Ministry of Civil Affairs and various charity foundations, is China's most prestigious philanthropy award marking outstanding contributions made by individuals and enterprises in the fields of public welfare and charity. Through a series of supporting activities, it also aims to encourage the growth of a philanthropic culture in the community.
