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The Director of Immigration, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, officiated at the closing ceremony of the "Collection of Used Clothing for Charity Campaign" co-organised by the Immigration Department Volunteer Work Team and the Salvation Army today (October 9).

In the ceremony, Mr Lai said that a total of over 3,100kg of used clothes were collected in the past two weeks for donation to the Salvation Army. The donation was received by the General Secretary of the Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macau Command, Major Alfred Tsang.

In his speech during the ceremony, Mr Lai said that the campaign was held from September 26 to October 9. The objective was to help people in need and support volunteer work. Collection stations were set up in staff quarters, some control points and the Immigration Headquarters in Wan Chai to collect the used clothing.

On the success of the campaign, Mr Lai praised the Immigration Department Volunteer Work Team and the Salvation Army for having initiated this meaningful movement despite their busy daily schedules. It inspired charity and mutual assistance, as well as recycling resources and education of the younger generation in these respects. He also thanked the Immigration staff who supported and participated in the campaign, and commended them on their enthusiasm and caring hearts.

While delivering a note of thanks to Major Tsang, the Director of Immigration said that through this campaign, he felt the Salvation Army's sense of mission to help people in the community. He hoped there would be opportunities to co-organise with the Salvation Army more events to benefit more people in the community who are in need of assistance.

The Immigration Department Volunteer Work Team was established in June last year. The initial membership of 53 had grown rapidly to nearly 150 now. Members participated in a variety of community services enthusiastically in their own private time after work. Last year, only half a year after its inception, the Immigration Department Volunteer Work Team was awarded a Gold Award for Volunteer Service by the Social Welfare Department in appreciation of its members' contribution of over 1,100 hours of volunteer service to the community.

Finally, Mr Lai encouraged the volunteer members to sustain their enthusiasm for charitable activities to live up to the slogans of the Immigration Department Volunteer Work Team "Work with utmost effort to help others" and "Caring and loving, helping self and others, to radiate the spirit of the Immigration Service".

Ends/Thursday, October 9, 2003

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