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Hong Kong's Operation Santa Claus Launches Annual Fundraiser.
In a city often defined by its relentless financial pulse and glittering skyline, a different kind of energy was palpable this Tuesday as Operation Santa Claus (OSC) launched its annual fundraiser, a heartening tradition that feels like the city taking a collective, compassionate breath. The goal is ambitious yet deeply human: to raise HK$11 million, a figure that translates not just into currency but into tangible hope for 13 local charity projects focused on children, youth, the elderly, and those navigating the complex realities of disabilities and mental health challenges.This year’s theme, 'Building Bridges,' is a poetic and powerful call to action that resonates far beyond the fundraising totals; it’s about using compassion as the fundamental material to construct connections across the invisible chasms that can form in a bustling metropolis, inspiring a form of collective action that weaves a stronger, more empathetic community fabric. I’ve always been fascinated by the stories behind such initiatives, the quiet motivations that drive people to give, and the profound impact that ripples out from a single donated dollar.Imagine the elderly individual, perhaps living alone in a subdivided flat, for whom an OSC-supported service provides not just a hot meal but a cherished daily conversation, a bridge back to a sense of belonging. Or consider the young person with mental health challenges, for whom a funded program offers a lifeline—a bridge from isolation to understanding and support.The beauty of OSC isn't merely in the financial target; it's in its enduring legacy. Since its inception as a collaborative effort between the public broadcaster and the leading English-language newspaper, it has become a cornerstone of Hong Kong's civil society, a trusted conduit through which the city’s considerable capacity for generosity flows directly to those who need it most.In a world increasingly fractured by digital noise and political polarization, the simple, uncynical act of building bridges through shared humanity feels not just charitable, but revolutionary. It’s a reminder that the most vital infrastructure a city can maintain isn’t made of steel and concrete, but of kindness and collective will, and this campaign is the annual maintenance check that ensures those structures remain strong, supporting the very soul of Hong Kong.
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