OPERATION SANTA CLAUS 2020 KICKS OFF WITH ‘CARING COMMUNITY, CARING CHRISTMAS’ THEME

HONG KONG, 3 November 2020 – Operation Santa Claus (OSC), jointly organised by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Radio 3 and the South China Morning Post (SCMP), kicked off its annual fund-raising campaign today with the theme ‘Caring Community, Caring Christmas’ for 2020, as well as a series of announcements aimed at promoting the spirit of giving to benefit those in need during the festive season.

The 2020 OSC Campaign launch was marked by the release of a special video today introducing this year’s Ambassadors, Olympic swimmer Alex FONG and artiste Pakho CHAU, who will perform the first-ever OSC theme song encouraging Hong Kong’s community to get involved and participate in one of the city’s most recognised charity initiatives.

This year, OSC is committed to raise funds for 19 selected beneficiaries to run charitable projects helping children and young people, the elderly and the community generally, as well as people with physical and mental disabilities. While 2020 has been a challenging year for many, OSC is determined to support those impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s campaign aims to offer immediate support and future recovery plans to people in challenging circumstances. 

Said Director of Broadcasting LEUNG Ka-wing: “I am grateful to our generous donors, who have contributed over HK$316 million, funding more than 300 projects over the last 32 years. We face an unprecedented challenge to support our community this Christmas and we are committed to amplify the call to remind everyone it is the season to care, share and give to the disadvantaged.”

Another milestone for OSC was the unveiling of a brand new look. The design of the new logo is a timely reminder of OSC’s brand purpose and identity to champion the spirit of giving and bring people together to celebrate hope and generosity to benefit Hong Kong’s community. Illustrated with a hand placing a heart into a Christmas stocking, it represents OSC as a platform for collaboration by bringing together corporate organisations and NGOs to benefit the community and reinforce the message that everyone and anyone can make an impact by spreading love and care. 

“It reflects the strong community spirit of Hong Kong and OSC’s mission to serve those in need,” said SCMP CEO Gary LIU. “With our partners, donors and beneficiaries, we will continue to champion the spirit of giving and magnify efforts to bring cheer to the city this Christmas.”

Said CHAU, who is an OSC Ambassador for the second year running, “OSC brought together many fun and creative fundraising initiatives during the lead up to Christmas and it felt great to be part of something bigger by helping others. I hope to inspire others by bringing cheer so that the less fortunate can embrace what the best of Hong Kong and Christmas has to offer.” 

“The fund-raising campaign starts in November and I really look forward to taking part in it as an Ambassador,” said FONG. “Helping the city’s disadvantaged at a time like this is a major challenge that will take a massive team effort, stamina and dedication, and I’m delighted to do my part to support the OSC.” 

OSC will salute its most outstanding supporters at the end of the campaign with special awards in February 2021 that recognise significant contributions to the community during the campaign. For more information about the OSC campaign, please visit the OSC websites (osc.scmp.com or rthk.hk/osc2020) as well as “Operation Santa Claus HK 愛心聖誕大行動” Facebook page (facebook.com/opsantahk).

Operation Santa Claus 2020 – Factsheet

OSC 2020 Beneficiaries and Projects

This year, 19 charities in four distinct areas have been selected to receive OSC donations. Themed “Caring Community, Caring Christmas”, the 2020 OSC campaign aims to inspire Hong Kong by showing our care and delivering hope to light up the lives of the needy with a series of fundraising activities and virtual events.

 

Beneficiaries

Project Title or Details

Children and Youth

1

Bring Me A Book Hong Kong Limited

School-based Reading Program: Lifelong Love of Reading

2

Hong Kong Children in Need Foundation Limited

STEM Maker in School

3

Hong Kong Red Cross

Red Cross Little Buddies

4

Sowers Action

After-school Tutoring Program

5

Tsang Pik Shan Secondary School

Simple Technical Self-Development

6

The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited

EM Child Trauma Counselling Service

7

Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited

Mind HK and Morgan Stanley Sponsorship Programme

8

PathFinders Limited

A Child’s Journey with PathFinders

9

TREATS

Sports Play Out! The Train-the-Trainer Gamified Sports Project for Ethnic Minorities Youth in Hong Kong

10

InspiringHK Sports Foundation

Sportshour Co-Sporting Programme for Underprivileged ADHD Youth and Caretakers 

Community

11

Playright Children’s Play Association

Community Engagement and Empowerment for Play Space Transformation Project (Phase 2)

12

J Life Foundation Limited

J Life @ Fighting COVID-19

13

HandsOn Hong Kong Limited

Care Delivered

14

Wofoo Social Enterprises Limited

Simple Living

15

Enrich HK

Debt Recovery Programme for Migrant Domestic Workers

Elderly

16

Senior Citizen Home Safety Association

Easyhome Services for Elderly and their Carers

17

St. Barnabas’ Society and Home

Healing the Poor Visions of the Underprivileged Elderly Project

Physical and Mental Disabilities

18

Caritas Rehabilitation Service

Hope

19

Home of Loving Faithfulness

Life-long special care for handicapped children and adults

 

OSC 2020: Multimedia content

Launch Video: 

The 2020 OSC Campaign launch was marked by the release of a special video today, introducing the ambassadors Olympic swimmer Alex FONG and artiste Pakho CHAU, Director of Broadcasting LEUNG Ka-wing and SCMP CEO Gary LIU.

The video will be available on the following channels:

 

New OSC logo: 

The new OSC logo is illustrated with a hand placing a heart into a Christmas stocking, which symbolises OSC’s role in bringing organisations and the community together during the festive season to benefit those in need in Hong Kong.


Photos:

The 2020 OSC Campaign launch was marked by the release of a special video today, introducing Director of Broadcasting LEUNG Ka-wing, SCMP CEO Gary LIU and the ambassadors Olympic swimmer Alex FONG and artiste Pakho CHAU.

This year’s Ambassadors, Alex FONG and Pakho CHAU, will perform the first-ever OSC theme song.



About Operation Santa Claus

Operation Santa Claus (OSC) is an annual charity campaign jointly run by RTHK and SCMP. Established in 1988, OSC aims to make a difference to the community and beyond by combining the fundraising power of two of the city’s most respected media organisations. Mainly during the months of November and December every year, the public, various non-profit making organisations, commercials and educational sectors in Hong Kong demonstrate their compassion by organising creative fundraising initiatives for specially selected deserving causes. 

 

Media Enquiries: 

 

SCMP Corporate Communications

Muriel CHEUNG (2680 8193 / pr@scmp.com)