Sun Hung Kai Properties : SHKP Poon Choi Lunches Celebrate the Year of the Pig with 1,700 Seniors

Adhering to its belief in Building Homes with Heart, Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) welcomed the Year of the Pig through a host of caring actions for the community. In addition to giving out lucky gift bags to thousands of elderly people in the community, for nine straight years, SHKP has hosted Poon Choi lunches at Noah's Ark for 1,700 seniors from Sai Kung, Wong Tai Sin and Yuen Long with hospitality provided by more than 100 SHKP volunteers. The lunches were held on 24 February and 10 March, at which Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr. Law Chi-kwong, Acting Director of Social Welfare Lam Ka-tai, and SHKP Executive Directors Adam Kwok and Eric Tung being the officiating guests sent their best wishes to the elderly participants.

The events were held amidst a bustling and jubilant atmosphere. The seniors could enjoy not only a lavish lunch but they also received bags of heart-warming and useful gifts. Some of them as well put on incredible performances at the talent show, including djembe drumming, softball dance, wushu, and K-Pop dancing in trendy clothing while enjoying a pleasant Sunday with all the attendees. SHKP Executive Directors Adam Kwok and Eric Tung also presented red packets to the eldest participants while offering them their best wishes for a happy Chinese New Year. The six seniors who are nearly a hundred years old are all still energetic, and they greatly appreciated the care SHKP has shown them.

Adam Kwok said, 'Some of the SHKP volunteers have taken part in this event for nine consecutive years. Having arrived early in the morning, the volunteers warmly received the elderly guests, served them food and cared about their well-being. The scenes were very touching. This is also the 10th anniversary of Noah's Ark with the theme of celebration as 'succession and innovation'. The Ark's Little Doctors were also specially invited to join the event, giving children more opportunities to interact with the elderly while learning to care for and respect others. In addition, Noah's Ark will organize a series of celebratory activities for seniors in coming months.' Eric Tung noted that SHKP, as a company that has grown along with the development of Hong Kong, places great emphasis on giving back to the community. This includes caring and helping the needy through regular visits to disadvantaged families and the elderly, and urgent home renovation and household repair as part of the Building Homes with Heart Caring Initiative. SHKP distributed over 7,000 lucky gift bags to seniors during the Chinese New Year to spread love throughout the community.

Dr. Law and Mr. Lam extended their appreciation to SHKP for sponsoring, initiating and organising the poon choi lunches, and having over a hundred volunteers offering support at the events. They said that the Government of HKSAR, in face of aging population, would make continued efforts to increase and enhance care for the elderly persons to meet service needs. Since September last year, SWD has launched a 3-year Dementia Friendly Community Campaign with the aim of promoting public awareness on dementia in Hong Kong, hoping that with more information and knowledge on dementia, members of the public would be encouraged to take action to support and care for the needy and in turn facilitating the building up of a 'dementia friendly' and 'age friendly' community

SHKP has held the annual Poon Choi lunches for seniors from Sham Shui Po, Kowloon City, Kwai Tsing, Wong Tai Sin, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Wan Chai, Sha Tin, Central Western, Islands and Yau Tsim Mong districts since 2011. These events and related home visits partnering with dozens of social service organizations have benefited more than 58,000 people over the years.

Noah's Ark, where the Poon Choi lunches took place, is the world's first theme park with a full-scale replica of the vessel in the ancient story. The park is located on tranquil Ma Wan Island and offers sweeping views of the Tsing Ma Bridge and Rambler Channel, far removed from the bustle of the city. The many attractions of Noah's Ark include an Ark Garden, Ark Expo, Treasure House, Ark Life Education House and the new Solar Tower. The combination of play, educational tours and conservation promotes love, harmony and positive values throughout the community, and offers a new experience for international visitors.