Students and ethnic-minority children combine to illustrate the city's spirit East meets West and never the twain shall meet. But in the case of a Korean-born 'folk artist' from New York - he did meet a bunch of children through a workshop that teaches people that we live in a global village and have to embrace each other's diversity. The result: a mural-like panel expressing the children's impressions of 'My Neighbourhood'. Celebrity artist Young Kim - who has found a following in New York, Hong Kong and South Korea - is famous in part for his 'Suitman' character, which according to his publicity material 'communicates feelings of alienation when one's home does not reflect one's own cultural identification or upbringing, making him an appropriate choice for helping create this exhibition'. Operation Santa Claus donor Starbucks Hong Kong teamed up with one of the 13 beneficiaries of this year's charity drive, Hong Kong Unison, in the unique collaboration involving Young Kim. It was his first charity work in Hong Kong, he said, and he promised to return for next year's Operation Santa Claus campaign. He said he understood how children felt growing up in a foreign land not speaking the language. Young Kim teamed up with students from local art group Drawgraphy and ethnic-minority children and teenagers from Hong Kong Unison to show how the city could be a racially mixed but compassionate metropolis. 'I call myself a folk artist,' he said. 'Today's art business seems to be for wealthy people.' Young Kim guided the teens in creating the 'My Neighbourhood' art piece, which was unveiled yesterday at the swanky Starbucks at the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. He also gave away Suitmen contained in 'Christmas stockings' to the children. It is the fourth year that Starbucks has helped Operation Santa Claus to raise funds. 'Starbucks embraces diversity and encourages a diverse workplace to build understanding, respect and appreciation for each other,' says Starbucks Coffee Hong Kong general manager Thomas Hahn. At the ceremony last night, Starbucks' Eric Lam Sing-chi said: 'We embrace the opportunity to support the efforts of Hong Kong Unison this year to reach out to people of all ethnic backgrounds living within our community, and as always we are delighted to show our continuous support of Operation Santa Claus.' Starbucks has committed to donate HK$5 to the charity drive for every Christmas beverage purchased from December 4 to 10. Organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK, Operation Santa Claus, now in its 21st year, will aid 13 groups. Part of the funds will also go to the SCMP Homes for Hope project to help victims of the Sichuan earthquake rebuild their homes. Additional reporting by Sara Yin