XN000022-1993-06-21 — Page 3

COMMUNITY CHEST

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MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993

EVERYWHERE IN HK'S WELFARE CIRCLE

OVER THE YEARS, THE COMMUNITY CHEST HAS ESTABLISHED A UNIQUE POSITION FOR ITSELF AT THE HEART OF HONG KONG'S WELFARE SYSTEM, MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE 24TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MRS PATTEN SAID SHE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE CHEST'S CONSTANT SUPPORT ΤΟ A WIDE SPECTRUM OF AGENCIES AND SERVICES AND ITS FAR-SIGHTED FUNDING POLICY.

"I HAVE VISITED MANY WELFARE AGENCIES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, AND ALMOST EVERYWHERE I TURN I SEE THE CHEST'S RED PAGODA A FAMILIAR SYMBOL OF THE COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT."

HELP IS GIVEN OUT NOT ONLY TO THE LARGE AND WELL-ESTABLISHED AGENCIES, BUT ALSO TO SMALLER, LESS WELL-KNOWN AGENCIES, WHO DEPEND ON THE CHEST'S SUPPORT FOR THEIR SURVIVAL, SHE SAID.

MRS PATTEN WAS ALSO IMPRESSED BY THE CHEST'S EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE INTEGRATION OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE INTO THE SOCIETY.

THE CHEST IS WILLING TO PROMOTE SERVICES WHICH MAY NOT BE FASHIONABLE BUT IS GIVING REAL HELP TO PEOPLE.

"IN THIS WAY, THE CHEST IS ACTUALLY SETTING AN EXAMPLE, AND STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY, MRS PATTEN ADDED.

"SO WE CAN TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT THE CHEST HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN ITS FIRST 24 YEARS, SHE SAID.

THE COMMUNITY CHEST WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE. TO DO THAT, THE SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL BE NEEDED, SHE ADDED.

DURING THE YEAR, THE CHEST HAS ALLOCATED A TOTAL OF $141 MILLION TO 126 AGENCIES, 17 PER CENT MORE THAN LAST YEAR.

IT HAS ALSO

THAN LAST YEAR.

RAISED A TOTAL OF $145 MILLION, $13 MILLION MORE

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