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THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1981
WIDOW/WIDOWER FAMILIES RECEIVE +LAI SEE+ PACKETS
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THREE HUNDRED WIDOW AND WIDOWER FAMILIES FROM LAI CHI KOK AREA WERE TODAY GIVEN A LUNAR NEW YEAR +LAI SEE+ PACKET OF $100 EACH FROM THE TANG SHIU-KIN/HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND.
THEY WERE THE FIRST OUT OF ABOUT 2 500 FAMILIES TO RECEIVE THE FESTIVE GRANT FROM THE FUND, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AS ITS TRUSTEE.
THIS AFTERNOON, THE DIRECTOR, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, AND THE FOUNDERS OF THE FUND, SIR SHIU-KIN TANG AND MR HO TIM, PRESENTED THE RED PACKETS TO SOME OF THE FAMILIES AT THE TAI HANG TỤNG COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE DEPARTMENT IS DISTRIBUTING THE MONEY PACKETS THROUGH ITS 26 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS TO WIDOW OR WIDOWER FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
THE CHARITABLE FUND WAS FOUNDED IN 1977 TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES FACING HARDSHIPS.
IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1980, THE FUND PAID OUT MORE THAN $416 000 AS GRANTS. SIXTEEN DONATIONS AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $393 000 WERE RECEIVED IN THE SAME PERIOD.
THE FUND HELPS PEOPLE TO COPE WITH HARDSHIPS ARISING FROM UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS THE DEATH OF A BREADEARNER, AN ACCIDENT TO A FAMILY MEMBER, OR SUDDEN OR PROLONGED SERIOUS ILLNESS.
IT PROVIDES CASH GRANTS TO FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS TO MAINTAIN A CHILD THROUGH HIS EDUCATION, OR TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS WHEELCHAIRS NOT OBTAINABLE FROM ANY OTHER FINANCIAL SOURCE AS A RESULT OF THE HARDSHIPS.
GRANTS ARE ALSO GIVEN TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS AND EXPENSES ARISING FROM PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY, CHRONIC ILLNESS, HOUSE MOVING, AND ADDITION OF CLOTHINGS OR OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS OVER FESTIVE PERIODS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE FUND HELPS MEET URGENT NEEDS ARISING FROM NATURAL DISASTERS AND COVERS THE BASIC FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THOSE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS MAY BE MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, PO LEUNG KUK OR THE HEADQUARTERS AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
SOCIAL WORKERS OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES MAY ALSO REFER HARDSHIP CASES REQUIRING URGENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE FUND AT THE PO LEUNG KUK, OR TO THE DEPARTMENT.
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