Last Thursday, hundreds of people in Hong Kong and supporters from around the world joined together to make dreams come true for impoverished families in the Philippines.
At ICM’s 11th annual banquet children and parents from the poorest communities in the Philippines shared their stories of hope and encouraged the audience to ‘Dream with Me’.
Our dreams were surpassed as the 800 plus guests at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre raised a grand total of HK$15.2m (US$1.9m) including HK$4.3m (US$550k) of matching funds. This is a record-breaking amount in the history of ICM and well above last year’s record of HK$11.5m (US$1.5m).
Highlights of the evening included:
– The ICM Choir. Raised in the city of Bacolod, all the members of the choir come from impoverished families facing daunting challenges. We have watched the choir grow from the kids they were six years ago to poised, talented and fun young adults, all still in school.
– Susan’s message of reconciliation. Accidentally burned by a kerosene lamp thrown at her by her father, Susan is today training to be a counselor.
– Maria proudly spoke of the new life, and business she has, thanks to ICM’s Transform program. Her smile grew even larger when her son Melvin took to the stage to join the choir in the evening’s theme song written by Louise Joachimowski, ‘Dream With Me’.
Following the stories of several choir members, ICM CEO David Sutherland took to the stage to explain ICM’s programs and impact.
Live- streaming over the internet, we had viewers watching as generous Hong Kong donors (and overseas friends also in attendance), participated in the Moment of Giving, donating HK$6.0million/US$774k/AUD$1million/PhP35million.
We are overwhelmed and so very grateful for your partnership. ICM is not a wealthy charity and the need is great. For every community we are able to work with, there are hundreds more equally needy neighborhoods, hoping ICM will be able to start a program in their community. Change cannot come soon enough for these families, and last Thursday, the generosity of the Hong Kong banquet attendees allowed ICM to make plans to give these impoverished families the education and tools to create a better future.
