Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited’s SHKP Reading Club began an environmentally-friendly Recycle Your Read campaign in February.  Over 10,000 books have been collected from districts on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon over the past four months for redistribution to people in need by supporting organizations.

With Father’s Day just around the corner, SHKP Reading Club VIP members Simon Shen Xu-hui and Heiward Mak Hei-yan donated books about family to support the Recycle Your Read campaign and realize the concept of influencing life with books.

Simon Shen is a renowned international relations scholar and plays many different roles in life. At home he is a caring husband and good father.  Simon welcomed his daughter Cargonia in February and will celebrate Father’s Day for the very first time this year.  He donated Sweet Words from Daddy written by Au Wai Man and published by China Alliance Press to share the happiness.

Simon says: “I had just got married when I wrote the foreword for Wai Man’s book.  At that time, there was no way I could step into the author’s shoes as I didn’t have any children and felt uneasy talking to my peer group about playgroups for kids – we used to talk of things relating to work.  Today I am a father, but the sweetness Wai Man experienced with his children was a joy I’d never known.  The book told of the different level of love and care handed down from one generation to the next, and the amusement of being a father, a husband and a son.  After reading the book, I have to say the responsibility and challenge of being a father outweighs the toughness of completing a Phd degree!”

Emerging young film director and screenplay writer Heiward Mak donated You’re in or You’re in the Way to Recycle Your Read.  It is a memoir about movie making written by twin brothers Logan and Noah Millers and published by Ecus Publishing.

Heiward said: “The twin brothers had no film experience yet they vowed to make a film dedicated to their father no matter what.  The brothers managed to write, produce, direct and act in the film with determination and undying commitment despite many obstacles.  This book reminds me of how my father is committed to supporting me to realize my dreams in the movie industry.  Despite ups and downs, I’m very thankful that he always believes in me.  I don't have any ideas on how to celebrate Father’s Day but I will try my best to do whatever he considers important.”

The SHKP Reading Club will announce the SHKP Reading Index survey results in June and the winners of the latest Young Writers’ Debut competition in July.  In addition, the Club’s booth at the coming Hong Kong Book Fair (Hall 1,1B-D24) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hall will offer a variety of activities, including a photo taking zone created by artist Apple Tong from Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, a charity sale and self-made instant photo card. People joining as a member at the booth can have a chance to win two free tickets to the video screening of The Story by the Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, A Chinese Odyssey by Edward Lam or an autographed copy of Lam’s new book.

SHKP continues working with St. James’ Settlement supported by the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged to host the SHKP Read to Dream campaign, taking underprivileged children to the Book Fair and giving them book allowances.   Participating children can also attend VIP talks and creative workshops hosted by comic artist Chao Yat to further experience the fun of reading and writing.

About the SHKP Reading Club

SHKP set up the SHKP Reading Club in late 2013 to consolidate its reading-related initiatives, and everyone is welcome to join for free.  The Club publishes the regular free ReadIt and Read Monthly magazines, organizes cultural events like seminars with leading speakers and guided cultural tours to inspire more people to enjoy reading and make it a habit. Anyone who is interested can join at www.shkpreadingclub.com.

About Recycle Your Read

Recycle your Read was initiated by the SHKP Reading Club with help from the World Green Organization (WGO).  The goals are to extend the lifespan of books, encourage more underprivileged people to enjoy reading and promote environmental awareness.    Collection points are available in SHKP developments like residential estates, malls and commercial buildings until November (table below for details).  Volunteers sort the books collected by category for redistribution to people in need by supporting organizations.  Anyone interested in being a supporting organization can call the SHKP Reading Club at 2511 3248 or WGO at 2991 9102.

Books should be in good condition with wholesome content.  Genres could include children’s books, geography / travel, psychology / health / medicine, fiction / literature, finance / business, lifestyle and general interest.  Books in any language are welcome. See the SHKP Reading Club Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shkpreadingclub for more details.