JPMorgan's efforts bring libraries for Yuen Long, Wong Tai Sin youngsters
'I like romantic stories,' was the tantalising one-liner from 11-year-old Tommy Lee Tze-ho as he arrived at a distinctly bookish Christmas party.
But Tommy, from Yuen Long, refused to elaborate as he joined 13 other children who visit the Yan Oi Tong family centres in Yuen Long and Wong Tai Sin for the party thrown by JPMorgan to celebrate a fund-raising effort that has raised more than HK$1 million for Operation Santa Claus.
When the charity Yan Oi Tong approached Operation Santa Claus - which is co-organised by RTHK and the South China Morning Post - with a funding proposal earlier this year, it was for two reading corners for the children who visit its family centres - children from low-income families and new arrivals settling into a strange environment.
But JPMorgan has taken it one step further and, in a partnership with Yan Oi Tong, has held a book collection and raised funding for a library at each centre.
Efforts organised by Jean Sung Seabrook, of JPMorgan, who encouraged staff volunteers to sell ornaments to their 2,300 workmates, resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars being raised. And the finance house is matching the staff effort dollar for dollar.
'We're very grateful to JPMorgan for showing this generosity,' said head of Radio 3 RTHK Bryan Curtis. 'There's nothing better than children at this festive time ... and carolling and money!'