NWDS has been actively involved in social welfare activities and has participated in a large number of charitable events taking place in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The Group’s effort has been widely endorsed by our customers and the public, and was repeatedly awarded the “Caring Company” logo.
"MSF Day 2009" was launched in June 2009 with the slogan "Let's donate a day's income and volunteer for MSF". The public were encouraged to donate a day's income to support the worldwide medical relief work of MSF. The event raised around HK$3 million. NWDS was the key sponsor for the campaign for the third consecutive year. With over 22,000 staff participated in the event, New World Group raised HK$480,000 for MSF Day 2009.
Many of our stores organized charitable activities for the 1st anniversary of Sichuan earthquakes. Wuhan New World Department Store- Qiaokou Branch Store co-organized the 5.12 Candle Light Charity with Southern City Daily and New Life Weekly of Changjiang Press Group and attracted participation from around 1,000 customers and kind-hearted public. Beijing New World Department Store jointly held 5.12 Earthquakes 1st Anniversary Charity Sales with “Li Lian Jie One Fund” and raised around RMB200,000 through charity sales of Jiangzu handicrafts. Chongqing New World Department Store held a "Charity Sale of Concert Ticket of Andy Lau in 2009" in April 2009 and raised a total of RMB19,200 for a primary school in Chongqing that was severely damaged by the Wenchuan earthquake, so as to assist the development of the school and improve the conditions of the study environment.
MSF Day 2008 was kicked off in April 2008 with enthusiastic support from all walks of life. Participants wore the "MSF Day Badge" together to show their commitment of donating a day's income to MSF, which was equivalent to volunteering for one day. MSF Hong Kong raised a total sum of over HK$ 2.5 million for the event. NWDS was the principal sponsor for MSF Day for the second consecutive year. Over 3,800 staff members joined the event and a sum of HK$300,000 was raised. NWDS will continue to support the meaningful front-line global relief work of MSF.
Massive earthquakes struck Sichuan on 12 May 2008. Pitching in on disaster relief, NWDS mobilized over 30 stores in 17 cities for a host of joint relief efforts. Charity sales, donation of sales proceeds and blood donation stations and donation boxes were set up at our stores nationwide. In addition, we transported relief supplies to devastated areas and co-organized subsidized education. Our staff at stores also initiated internal fundraising. RMB 860,000 collected was subsequently donated to Chengdu Red Cross. Besides, Chengdu New World Department Store organized an earthquake victims consolation gathering to raise funds for staff affected and their families.
New World Department Store was the key sponsor for "MSF Day" for the first time in 2007. In 2008, NWDS once again supported this charitable cause and became the key sponsor for "MSF Day 2008", demonstrated our support to the organization's humanitarian work. The kick-off ceremony of the event was held at City Walk, Tsuen Wan on 20 April 2008. With the slogan of "Let's Donate a Day's Income and Volunteer for MSF", guests from different walks of life urged the public to donate a day's income to support the frontline medical relief work of MSF.