Morgan Stanley sets record by raising HK$5 million for Operation Santa Claus
- The banking giant hosted two major fundraising events – Charity Bake Auction and Morgan Stanley Director’s Choir – online
- It has been working with Operation Santa Claus, the fundraising drive co-hosted by the South China Morning Post and RTHK, for over two decades
Gokul Laroia, co-chief executive officer of Asia Pacific at Morgan Stanley, said it was “interesting” that such a huge fund could be raised in the pandemic-stricken and economically stressed environment, when a large portion of the bank’s staff was working from home or other remote locations.
“Everyone is facing challenges, but let’s be honest here – our challenges are probably less significant than those we are trying to help, and I think that is not lost on [our staff],” he said.
“So, everyone wants to do just that little bit more, knowing that there are people out there who need that little bit more.”
The banking giant hosted two major fundraising events online. The Charity Bake Auction invited staff to bake cakes, for which colleagues would then make online bids. Of the 24 confectionery products that were made, one cake raised HK$700,000 alone, which Morgan Stanley said was the highest amount “raised by any cake in the nine-year history of the Charity Bake Auction”.
