Hong Kong children learn sweet lessons of giving at Christmas Marshmallow Charity Sale for Salvation Army

Lee Ho-ching first sang Christmas carols and danced at the Christmas Marshmallow Charity Sale. Undeterred by the strong winds of December, the five year old then busily went about collecting donations from passers-by for the Salvation Army.

“I have sold nine boxes of marshmallows! And each raised about HK$20 to help people in need,” he cheerfully said.

Although he fell ill after standing in the wind for two hours in Tai Wai where he and his mother sold the marshmallows, he said he was happy the money he raised could help people during the holiday.

Besides Lee, children from about 1,000 local families also participated in the Salvation Army’s third annual charity sale across the city. The street sale spanned four consecutive weekends from November 26 to December 18.

Chow Pui-man, Lee’s mother, was by Lee’s side to encourage him throughout the sale outside the MTR exit. She said it was important for her son to experience “the joy of helping others”.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” she said. “This experience also helps my son develop a character of caring.”