Warm young volunteer hands warm hearts at Christmas Today, on Winter Solstice, 500 Federation young volunteers begin visits to 500 lonely, elderly people. Their mission is to warm those people's hearts, with gifts of food and offers to clean homes. Serving others like this can changes lives. For some of these youngsters it may mean changes they'd never dreamed of. One young volunteer, let's call him Joe, has a family who fight about money. Sometimes they yell so much the neighbours call the police. Such a bad example at home affected Joe's own behaviour. He always used to be in trouble at school. Then he volunteered to distribute rice with HKFYG. He visited a poverty-stricken old man. That man had so little but was so generous, welcoming his visitors with drinks and smiles. It touched Joe's heart. When he went home that day his grandma stroked his cheek. Usually he brushed her away but that day he understood. Her rough hands came from years of hard work and she cared about him. From then on, Joe felt different. Things got better at school. His teachers saw how he'd changed and in turn they wanted to reward him. This year he's the school's Most Improved Student. Bravo Joe, bravo to all volunteers this Christmas! Events 2010 a cappella Contest won by Sacred Heart Canossian College and the Hot Potters On Sunday 12 December there was some fantastic singing in the auditorium of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building. The fiercely contested prizes were won by Sacred Heart Canossian College in the Secondary School Division, and the Hot Potters in the Open Class Division. Guest performers were the world-famous Japanese vocal percussionist Kaichiro Kitamura, and Potenza, the all-male ensemble from the HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers. For more information call Kenneth, tel 3755 7070, or visit http://acappella.hkfyg.org.hk. News HKFYG Jockey Club Student Support Centre to be opened by Mr Douglas So On Saturday 8 January 2011 at 9am, the HKFYG Jockey Club Student Support Centre in Tai Kok Tsui will be opened officially by Mr Douglas So, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Director of Charities. A ceremony will take place in the auditorium of the HKFYG Building in North Point. The Centre serves students with special needs, including those who are dyslexic. A seminar on dyslexia will follow the ceremony. Primary and secondary school teachers are welcome. For more information about the Centre, tel3422 3161 or email ssc@hkfyg.org.hk Just published New 'Youth SPOT' magazine with stories of dreams come true, never giving up two artistic young people talk about outlets for creativity a young couple tell how they found somewhere to live Gary Chang, famous interior designer, describes growing up in 300 sq ft with his family of 7 and transforming it into a 24-room apartment five youngsters from around the world talk about sharing 500 sq ft in Yau Ma Tei, The message: enjoy each other's company, be inspired and sharing cramped space won't matter. Pick up a free copy of the magazine at any G.O.D outlet, at Langham Place, at HKFYG outlets, select loft cafes and hair salons. More details from Andrey, tel 3755 7041, or at youthspot.hkfyg.org.hk For information on advertising in the Youth SPOT magazine or the Youth Hong Kong quarterly, call Andrey, tel 3755 7041 or Bonnie, tel 3755 7101. HKFYG Poll Series No. 204 Traps and Temptations during the Festive Season Between 22 November and 3 December, the HKFYG Youth Research Centre surveyed 1,654 secondary students at 31 schools about their plans for the Christmas and New Year holidays. More than 60% said they craved the chance to party, and over half said they wanted to go out all night. A quarter of the youngsters said they hoped very much to get a date during the holidays and about 9% said they'd be embarrassed if they didn't. Over 32% said it was acceptable to have close physical contact on such occasions, even with friends or acquaintances they didn't know very well, and over 9% thought a one-night stand was acceptable. More than 31% thought it was OK to drink alcohol during the holidays and over 9% said smoking was not a problem either, whereas about 3% said consuming a small amount of drugs during the holidays was not a big deal. For the full Chinese press release visit http://yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/chi/p204.html. Call Sharon, tel 3755 7039, for more details.   Many thanks to partners HKFYG Lee Shau Kee Primary School in Tin Shui Wai benefits from HSBC volunteer English teachers A call went out recently for volunteer English teachers at HKFYG Lee Shau Kee Primary School. There was a most impressive response from spouses of expatriate executive staff at The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation. Ten of the ladies, all of whose mother tongue is English, have volunteered to go to the school for story-telling and interview skills training from now till May 2011. This will not only improve the pupils' English but will also give them a fine opportunity to broaden their horizons. We are delighted that this has been made possible through the energy and generosity of the lady volunteers. Thank you to Mrs Camay Wong for encouraging the ladies and thank you to Ms Laurie Constantinides for coordinating the volunteers. Call Iris, tel 3755 7107, for details. Saturday 15 January 2011 is HKFYG's FLAG DAY. Now's your chance! You can volunteer as a flag seller right up until 5 January 2011 so please don't forget to support our efforts by registering at http://www.u21.hk/partnership/flagday2011 Donors, we need you too! Please download a donation form here. Proceeds will help finance counselling and guidance for families with communication problems at the Federation's Parent-child Mediation Centre.* Be a flag seller or a donor. Every cent counts. Help us beat our Flag Day record! With thanks to all our 2011 sponsors Bank of East Asia Ltd Hang Seng Bank Ltd Hong Kong Housing Authority Lammar Offset Printing Ltd Living Stone Printing Company Ltd New World First Ferry Services Ltd The "Star" Ferry Company Ltd The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd *Call 2402 9230 or email mp@hkfyg.org.hk for information about the work of the Parent-child Mediation Centre. Life, Laughter and Love with The Peak Tramways Company Ltd and The Peak Tower Ltd The Federation's Parent-child Mediation Centre organized a programme called 3L-Life, Laughter, Love on the Peak with top class support from The Peak Tramways Company Ltd and The Peak Tower Ltd. On 12 and 19 December, 130 clients of the Centre enjoyed strengthening family ties and building care and concern within the family. Our generous sponsors provided free transport for them, including chartered Peak Tram rides. Participants were also given free meals and Peak Tram souvenirs. Tours of "Studio Secrets" at Madame Tussauds, wax making at the souvenir shop, and access to the Sky Terrace were all part of the complimentary activities, and company staff volunteered to make sure the programme ran smoothly. For more information, please contact Constance, tel 2402 9230. u21.hk promotes Gift Garden with What Kids Want Show how much you care about needy families by going to u21.hk, http://event.u21.hk/giftgarden/ and clicking to 'water' the virtual plants and flowers. The more clicks made, the more gifts will be donated by toy manufacturer, What Kids Want. The company has donated over 450 toys for needy children. Individuals can also donate toys. All gifts collected will be delivered to families from December 2010 to March 2011 through HKFYG's three Youth SPOTs in Tin Shui Wai and the Federation's Parent-child Mediation Centre. Photos will be posted on the u21 website. Go to http://whatkidswant.com/ or call Charissa, tel 2831 9183, for details. Hongkong-Asia Exhibition sponsors tickets for 8th Hong Kong Food Festival About 8,000 free tickets will allow HKFYG's u21 youthnet members to enjoy the 8th Hong Kong Food Festival from 24-27 December 2010. The tickets come courtesy of Hongkong-Asia Exhibition (Holdings) Ltd and the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre will be the venue for over 1,000 exhibitors from around the world. Visitors will have the chance to try a wide range of cuisines and discover special new foods. For details, please visit http://www.hka.com.hk/mini/food10/ Eng_Exhibitor_hkf10.html. Contact Marian, tel 3755 7072 for general information about this and other membership offers.