Press Releases

Rooted in Hong Kong, the Community Chest is a home-grown charitable organization for more than half a century. The Chest will be celebrating its 55th anniversary in November 2023. Over the years, the Chest is committed to serving the community through raising funds to support member agencies to provide quality and effective social welfare services. The 2022/2023 campaign year was a year full of challenges. Thanks to the staunch support of the donors and corporate partners, the Chest raised over HK$285 million, 27% above the original fundraising target. The donations raised enable the Chest to fulfill its funding pledges to 168 member agencies. In 2022/2023, the Chest allocated HK$318 million to support various social welfare services, initiatives and special funds.

At the 54th Annual General Meeting held today (19 June), Mrs Janet Lee, President of the Chest said, “The Chest is committed to address imminent needs in society and serves as a platform to bring together resources from all walks of life, and manifests the spirit of community building and giving”.

In the past three years, the Community Chest Pandemic Rainbow Fund had provided timely financial support to people affected by the pandemic. Through four rounds of applications, a total of over HK$92 million had been granted to more than 33,000 beneficiaries.

Due to the huge demand for health care services in the community, The Community Chest Medical Assistance Fund (MAF) was launched in April 2022. The fund aims to fill the service gaps for target individuals who are not eligible to receive assistance from the existing public and private medical assistance schemes. Rolling out in phases, the Fund had launched its first and second phases to cover five targeted beneficiary groups: patients with kidney disease who need peritoneal dialysis at home; young diabetic patients; youth from underprivileged families with mental health issues; underprivileged elders who need cataract surgery; and non-CSSA wheelchair users who need to purchase a new electric wheelchair or replace the battery of their wheelchairs.

Nine members were elected to the 2023/2024 Board of Directors (see backgrounder for details) at the AGM. Also, the Chest thanked the six retiring Board members, Sir C K Chow, Dr Eddie Kwan, Mr Charles Lee, Mr Adrian Li, Mr Daryl Ng and Mr Michael Wu, for their invaluable contributions.

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Photo:

President Mrs Janet Lee (4th left) chairs the 54th Annual General Meeting with Executive Committee Chairman Dr John Chan (3rd left), Campaign Committee Chairman Mr Paulo Pong (3rd right), Public Relations Committee Chairman Dr Pamela Chan (2nd right), Admissions, Budgets and Allocations Committee Chairman Mr Charles Yang (2nd left), Treasurer Mr Raymund Chao (1st right) and Secretary of the Board Ms Cecilia Li (1st left).

Backgrounder: