Free promotional venues for NGOs in HA shopping centres (with photos)
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Non-government organisations (NGOs) can apply to the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) for free venues at the HA's shopping centres for holding community events, activities and exhibitions for charity, civic, educational and cultural programmes. A recent one at Mei Tin Shopping Centre in Tai Wai brought benefits to about 1 200 elderly people.
"The HA is well aware of the importance of community services and community building. By providing free venues at the HA's commercial properties for community events and exhibitions, the HA contributes to the provision of social services to society," a spokesman for the HA said today (October 7).
The HA normally will make use of promotional venues at its shopping centres to enhance the business environment, attract footfall and generate revenue. They are for short-term promotional and sales activities for both shop tenants and outside promoters. However, when the promotional venues are not leased, the HA may consider letting them free of charge to interested NGOs and government departments for community building.
During the public holiday earlier on October 2, an activity to promote respect and love for the elderly was held by a charity fund at the promotional venue at Mei Tin Shopping Centre in Tai Wai. In the four-hour activity, mooncakes, fruits and gift packs were given for free to about 1 200 elderly residents for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"The partnership with NGOs and government departments also helps position the HA's shopping facilities as a vital part of the community and enhances the corporate image of the HA," he said.
In the year 2016-17, a total of about 65 community functions involving about 690 hours were held in the HA's shopping centres.
"The community functions have a great variety. Some are health and environment related like health checks, prevention of infectious disease exhibitions, and anti-rodent and anti-mosquito campaigns. Some are recreational like family days, mini-carnivals and fun fairs. Some are informational like the promotion of elderly and family services, voter registration campaigns, and exhibitions on sales of first-hand residential properties. Some are charity events like raffle ticket sales, charity sales and volunteer recruitment while some others are festive like Christmas carolling and giving out of Chinese fai chun and gift packs for Chinese New Year," he said.
Currently, the HA's commercial portfolio comprises 36 shopping centres, 17 of which have promotional venues, namely Domain at Yau Tong and shopping centres at Cheung Ching Estate, Cheung Shan Estate, Choi Tak Estate, Fu Shan Estate, Hoi Lai Estate, Kwai Chung Estate, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Lung Poon Court, Mei Tin Estate, Nam Shan Estate, On Kay Court, Ping Shek Estate, Pok Hong Estate, Shek Pai Wan Estate, Siu Hong Court and Tin Yan Estate.
Interested NGOs may visit the HA website for locations of the shopping centres with promotional venues and contact the shopping centres directly for application:
www.housingauthority.gov.hk/en/commercial-properties/leasing-information/promotion-venues/list-of-promotion-venues/index.html.
Ends/Saturday, October 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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