Fund Raising

To promote the development of the Hong Kong industries, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) had been planning to establish industrial schools since the 1950s. They have thus organized activities such as charity sales and Mr. and Ms. Industrial School elections to raise funds at the industrial products exhibition. Finally in 1956-1957, CMA donated HK$1 million to the Hong Kong Government in support of the construction works of the Hong Kong Technical College (the present-day Hong Kong Polytechnic University) at Hung Hum. The College was completed in 1957 and it was inaugurated by the Governor of Hong Kong Sir Alexander Grantham.

The industrial products exhibition was an important fund-raising platform for many charity organizations in the early years. The fund-raising activities go back as early as 1950, when the Education Advancement Society for Workers in Hong Kong and Kowloon set up a fund-raising booth in the 8th Exhibition of Chinese Products. Products sold at the fund-raising booth were donated by the manufacturers.

CMA responded quickly to the 1953 Shek Kip Mei fire at the 11th Exhibition of Hong Kong Products by donating 10 thousand dollars for disaster relief. The CMA also called upon participating manufacturers to organize charity sales or to give donations. The CMA staff at the exhibition also donated their one-day salary to raise funds for Pak Tin Village. In addition, CMA invited celebrities to participate in the charity sales. In one particular occasion, Cantonese drama actress Fong Yim-fun took up a charity photo session. Photos were taken with Fong Yim-fun and various products at the exhibition. These photos were sold for a minimum rate of $500 per photo. Visitors could also choose to take photos with Fong at a minimum rate of $50 per photo. All incomes collected from the charity sales and the charity photo sessions were donated for disaster relief.

Later, the promotion and administrative committees of the exhibition called upon all staff at the exhibition booths to participate at the charity sales. The staff raising the highest amount of money would be selected as the Miss Charity. Pak Fah Yeow was one of the most active participants of charity works. This particular manufacturer organized the Queen Charity pageant to raise funds for Chung Sing Benevolent Society and the campaign to support children’s schooling by Wah Kiu Yat Po. Teresa Tang, the well-known singer, was once selected as Queen Charity.