There are umpteen ways one can help the people in need, and to the kind hearts at Crossroads Foundation, a Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation serving global needs, providing support for existing charities is a worthwhile cause. 

Connecting the Haves and Have-nots

Believing the world has already had enough charity organisations, chartered accountant Malcolm Begbie and his wife Sally, a public relations consultant, never meant to start another charity. Instead, they volunteered financial counselling and offered assistance on publicity materials, which would otherwise have been a major cost outlay for non-profit organisations. Yet when discovering the inadequacy of words and numbers as aid for victims of floods in Northern China in 1995, they decided to set up Crossroads to gather items such as clothes and blankets from the Hong Kong community and send them to the people in need, from 19 boxes at a time to 248 boxes. The 10 tonnes of goods donated in just three months could no longer fit in the six rooms Crossroads used for free with government subsidy. "We were astonished. We couldn't stop people from giving as donations poured into our lives," said founder Sally. "We just tried to run fast enough to keep up with it all – we still are!"

Today, Crossroads is operating from a site spanning 600,000 square-feet, and distributing relief to 106 countries worldwide. From processing one consignment at a time, the organisation now receives over 200 local orders (such as Zheng Sheng, HOLF, Domestic Worker Shelter, Po Leung Kuk, and Operation Smile) and over 800 orders from groups around the world.

A City of Philanthropists

And Crossroads' success in connecting the donors and people in need wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of the Hong Kong people, according to Kate Falconer, Public Relations & Developer of Crossroads Foundation Ltd. "It was like a hole opened in the heavens. The generosity has never stopped and we continue to harness it to meet the needs of many locally and around the world."

Incredible as it may sound, getting hotels, hospitals, manufacturers, educational groups and the community to donate their goods, time and money didn't come as much of a hurdle for Crossroads. "We didn't have to try hard, really," said Kate. "Given the opportunity, we believe that people really want to give. As soon as people heard that we collected items, we weren't able to stop the phone ringing and that is true to this day. We have never actively sought donations – they just come to us. The hardest part is that we are not able to collect all that Hong Kong wants to give. We are 100% volunteer-based and while we have a strong team that works hard, we just don't have enough manpower or space to take all that is offered to us."

Thankfully, Crossroads has been able to have freight services given or sponsored, which has enabled the delivery of donated furniture, bedding, medical provision, clothing and educational toys to the less fortunate all over the world. "We live in a broken world where far too many people have suffered far too much for far too long," said Sally. "We know there are many who long to help. We know there are many who need that help. Our goal is to be as our name suggests: a 'crossroads' between those in need and those who can make a difference."

Your Donation Counts

If you find yourself nodding in agreement, how about donating your share of goods, time and money? "We would love to have senior citizens coming to help out! If you are fit and energetic, you can pack items for those in need; If you have bilingual skills, we need you on the phone; if you are good with people and have a heart to serve those in Hong Kong that need goods, you could work with our local clients. We also have needs in other parts of our work. The short story is that if you are willing to serve, we have a place for you!"

When a Hong Kong landlord decided to close down her two apartments, she wasn't sure if the furniture could be of any use, but she rang Crossroads anyway. The furniture later found home in two apartments for staff at an orphanage in Hainan Island. Every little bit of donation counts – give yours today.

Special Thanks:
Kate Falconer, Public Relations & Developer of Crossroads Foundation Ltd.
www.crossroads.org.hk