Giving Back to a Place Close to Heart | Anita Fung’s Volunteer Journey with RMHC
Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGO partners in education, marine conservation, and arts. From now to 2025. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2024!
Meet Anita
Anita’s life has been shaped by her passion for service and devotion to her family. After 15 years as an administrator in a manufacturing firm, she felt called to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. However, life took a different turn when her son was diagnosed with a serious illness. Anita put her career plans on hold to care for him full-time. After her son’s eventual recovery, she resumed working and spent another 20 years as an administrator in the education sector before retiring in 2023.
Now, with more free time, Anita is committed to giving back to the community, especially through an organization that played a vital role in her own life.
Discovering RMHC
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) provides a home-away-from-home for families with seriously ill children, offering them comfort and support while their children receive medical treatment. RMHC aims to help families stay together during some of the most challenging moments in their lives.
Anita’s connection to RMHC runs deep. In 2001, her family lived at RMHC’s Shatin House while her son was undergoing treatment. The support they received from RMHC, and the families they met along the way, left a lasting impact on Anita.
After her retirement, Anita searched for meaningful volunteer work through Time Auction, a platform for matching skilled-based volunteer opportunities. The moment she saw RMHC listed on the platform, memories flooded back. “Without a second thought, I made my first application as a volunteer receptionist for RMHC,” she recalled. Being a former beneficiary of RMHC, Anita was eager to give back to the organization that had supported her family during their most difficult time.
Moments of Connection and Reflection
As a volunteer receptionist, Anita took calls from visitors, resident families, and others community members. Although it may sound like a simple task at first, it is actually very important because it is the first point of contact for families seeking support. “To me, it’s an important role because it conveys the first impression of RMHC to the public, and it forms part of the experience for the families staying with us,” she explained. Though Anita volunteered only once a week, the residents recognized her warm smile very quickly.
It was particularly touching to see the deep bond between families facing similar hardships, and the commendable resilience and courage in the children. “I’m most impressed by the lovely faces of the sick children and the close ties among the families during their difficult times,” Anita shared. Watching families leave RMHC with healthy children brought back memories of her own time at RMHC's Shatin House more than 20 years ago.
One of Anita’s most rewarding moments was when she shared the story of her son’s recovery with current resident families, offering them hope and encouragement during their stressful journey of treatment.
A Testimony to Dedication
Anita’s contributions was highly appreciated by the RMHC team. “Anita, a dedicated member of the Love Companion program and a former Ronald McDonald House family member, plays a crucial role as a volunteer receptionist and program assistant for our organisation,” shared a representative from RMHC. “Her warm smile welcomes sick children and their families at reception, and her reliability and punctuality make her an indispensable part of our team.”
The RMHC team also expressed their gratitude for Anita’s selfless sharing of her own experiences with current RMHC families. “Her commitment to helping others during such a challenging time is truly commendable, and her presence brings comfort and reassurance to the families she assists,” they praised.
A Learning Experience and A Chance to Give Back
Volunteering at RMHC has enriched Anita’s life in countless ways. “I treasure the chance to support families in need and the incredible work RMHC does,” she reflected. The experience reinforced the importance of positivity, mutual support, and encouragement during tough times. It also allowed her to keep her administrative skills sharp and maintain a sense of purpose in retirement.
Working alongside other dedicated volunteers who contribute in other ways, such as housekeeping and organizing playgroups for the children, has deepened Anita’s appreciation for the power of collective effort. “With our combined efforts, I trust that we are helping to create a more caring, warmer, and resourceful environment for the families,” she added.
A Call to Action
Anita encourages others to volunteer as well, no matter the scale of the commitment. “There is no ‘big’ or ‘small’ volunteering. Start volunteering and you’ll see that it works both ways—while you contribute your time and effort to help others, you’ll get something back that you may not expect.”
Thank you Anita for contributing 120 volunteer hours, with Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong!
To see details of the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program and support their NGO partners, head over to Time Auction website.
Written by Time Auction team, Edited by Margaret Ng, Volunteer Editor
