Film fans boost cash total
COUCH potatoes gave Operation Santa Claus a boost over the holiday weekend when they rented $370,000 in videos.
Money from all cash rentals at KPS Video Express on Christmas Day went straight to the charity till, bringing the total takings to date to $2,383,612.
More cash will roll in from donation boxes set up in all KPS stores to be counted after Friday.
But Operation Santa Claus needs a total of $5 million to be able to fund its three important projects this year.
With another 530 points going on to the stock market yesterday, we know the brokers are already writing their cheques, for very large amounts.
We want all donations in by Saturday.
The Hong Kong Joint School Debating Society took a more active approach to fund-raising by setting up two booths in Kowloon City Plaza and raised $28,303 in one day.
They sold decorations, gifts, T-shirts, stationery and food from one booth, and organised games, a drawing competition and a raffle from the other booth.
Operation Santa organisers, RTHK Radio 3 and the South China Morning Post, aim to raise $5 million to benefit the Hong Kong Marrow Match Foundation and provide medical facilities for young victims of blood diseases.
Direct donations are welcome and anyone donating $500 or more by cheque or credit card will be eligible for a draw for a trip for two to San Francisco on Singapore Airlines Raffles Class.
Money is also being raised at clothes shops.
Esprit is selling special cotton knit sweaters and cardigans, with all proceeds going to Operation Santa.
Episode, Jessica and Excursion outlets are donating all proceeds from the sale of leather-bound personal organisers, make-up brush sets and key wallets.
Gifts to Operation Santa do not have to be in cash.
Every Wednesday the Red Cross Blood Collection Centre at Shop 330, Omni the Hong Kong Hotel Shopping Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui takes simple blood tests for the Marrow Match Foundation. Anyone interested in being a bone marrow donor can give blood between noon and 7 pm.
