Italian Women’s Association charity market comes roaring back in Hong Kong, raising HK$800,000 in single day
- The association was forced to cancel the annual event last year due to the coronavirus pandemic
- A portion of this year’s proceeds will be donated to Operation Santa Claus, an annual fundraising drive co-organised by the Post and RTHK
The Italian Women’s Association (IWA) in Hong Kong brought back its signature annual charity market this month after a year-long hiatus, raking in nearly HK$800,000 in a single day in donations and proceeds from the sale of high-quality goods from il bel paese.
Fair-goers stepping into “Il Mercatino di Iwa” in the courtyard of the historic PMQ building in Central on November 14 were greeted in typical Italian fashion with hugs and cheek kisses by volunteers in eye-catching red masks embroidered with tiny versions of the country’s tricolour flag.
Lovers of all things Italian then had their pick of a broad selection of deeply discounted clothing, sunglasses, accessories, shoes, home appliances, make-up and stationery – all made and donated to the association by Italian companies.
“People come to the fair because we are selling good products at a much more reasonable price compared to what you can get from a market outside,” said Anna Waung, the founder of IWA.
The charity event has been held for over 37 years, and supports groups providing assistance to women, children, refugees and the homeless.
“Every single cent that is received is automatically donated every year,” Waung said.
“It is a way to give back to Hong Kong, the city that welcomed us,” added IWA vice-president Federica Fulginiti.
Last year, however, the pandemic put the market on hold, and also prompted IWA to re-evaluate its approach.
“There are new realities every time,” said Fulginiti. “For example, we discovered new charities were coming out last year due to Covid-19, feeding people who are homeless – but newly homeless – including young people living in gardens in Hong Kong. Even the purpose of our charity has been changing along with the pandemic.”
Covid-19 prompted IWA to become increasingly flexible, handing out donations to new charities to help meet emergency needs in addition to the ones it regularly supported every month, said Federica Betteto, another vice-president of the group.
“That’s when we talk and decide who has a priority at this moment. We are very flexible in our donations according to the priority needs,” she said.
Over the past two years, the group has also tried to diversify its charity work by holding online yoga, make-up, and embroidering classes to attract members and donations when social gatherings were not allowed, Fulginiti said.
But the flagship charity market was able to make its triumphant return this year, raising nearly HK$800,000 for local causes.
“Part of this amount will be donated to support Operation Santa Claus, and the rest will be carefully assigned in the next few weeks by IWA’s committee to other charities’ projects,” Fulginiti said.
Operation Santa Claus this year is raising funds for 18 selected local charities supporting a broad cross-section of society, including children, youth, the elderly, and people with physical and mental disabilities.
Waung attributed the success of this year’s fair to Hongkongers’ spirit of giving.
“Most of the Hong Kong people are very willing to help the charities, knowing that these proceeds will go to the Hong Kong community,” she said.
Fulginiti, meanwhile, lauded the association’s partnership with Operation Santa Claus, which she said enabled it to reach a wider audience.
“Under Operation Santa Claus, support from the media for us is really helpful because it is a way to let people, the right associations and institutions know about the Italian Charity Fair and the Italian Women’s Association – that we are reachable.”
