Operation Santa Claus: law firm volunteers dig deep with Hong Kong elderly

On a sunny Saturday, 25 employees from the Hong Kong law firm Deacons spent the morning working side by side with 18 elderly volunteers, weeding, tilling the soil, and transplanting seedlings, while sharing laughter and lessons on organic farming and healthy eating.The event on January 24 took place on the rooftop of Metroplaza in Kwai Fong, at an urban farm run by Farm the City, one of 13 charities selected to receive funding this year from the annual fundraising campaign, Operation Santa Claus (OSC).The funding supports the charity’s project to promote urban farming by turning unused spaces in Hong Kong into gardens that grow vegetables and herbs for low-income elderly residents, helping to supplement their diets.The project also aims to improve the physical and mental well-being of elderly people by encouraging them to leave their homes to work on the farm and socialise.This marks the 15th year that Deacons, a long-time major donor, has supported OSC.Lilian Chiang Sui-fook, a Deacons senior partner, said the firm, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, has benefited from Hong Kong, so it was good to give back to the community as it had done over the years, by doing pro bono work and supporting fundraising campaigns such as OSC.