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MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1975
BLIND WORKSHOP WANTS MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT
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THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND APPEALED TODAY FOR MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT IN THE WAY OF REGULAR ORDERS FOR PRODUCTS WHICH ITS WORKSHOP CAN TURN OUT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY, REV. K.L. STUMPF, SAID THE WORKSHOP WAS NOT JUST A HAVEN FOR THE BLIND AND DISABLED, BUT WAS PROVIDING THEM WITH EMPLOYMENT AND A CHANCE TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE WORKSHOP COULD TURN OUT A RANGE OF 33 DIFFERENT PRODUCTS FOR HOUSEHOLD, INDUSTRIAL AND GENERAL USE. THESE INCLUDED BROOMS OF VARIOUS TYPES, PACKING CASES AND BOXES, BESIDES TABLES, DESK CALENDAR STANDS AND UNIFORMS.
WOODEN DOORS ARE ALSO ONE OF THE ITEMS, REV. STUMPF NOTED AND SAID THAT THE WORKSHOP HAD RECENTLY SECURED AN ORDER FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR DOORS FOR AN HOUSING ESTATE.
MOST OF ITS PRODUCTS ARE SOLD TO THE GOVERNMENT BUT THE SOCIETY WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE SUPPORT FROM PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS ON A LONG-TERM BASIS.
DIRE
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY REV. STUMPF WHEN THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR. THOMAS LEE, HANDED HIM A CHEQUE FOR $500,000 FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AS AN INTEREST FREE LOAN TO THE SOCIETY TO HELP IT ESTABLISH A WORKING CAPITAL FUND AND TO PAY OFF AN OVERDRAFT.