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Saturday, October 22, 2005 |
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Hong Kong Disneyland's Belle Shares
the Joy of Reading Together with
The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong
(HONG KONG, October 22, 2005) - Young imaginations took flight today as students joined Hong Kong Disneyland's star princess, Belle, to bring the magic of Beauty and the Beast to life in a colorful storytelling session.
Organized in conjunction with The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong (BGCA), the storytelling session marked the Hong Kong launch of Disney Reading Together, a worldwide community program designed to encourage adults and children to read together in ways that are both engaging and effective.
In addition to Belle, dressed in her signature blue dress and crisp white apron, special guests at today's launch included Bill Ernest, Managing Director, Operations of Hong Kong Disneyland, Angela To, Hong Kong Disneyland's Ambassador, Ms. Emily Mok, JP, Vice-Chairperson (Information) of Committee on Home-School Co-operation and Professor Mok Bong Ho, Chairman of the Executive Committee of BGCA.
Bill Ernest said, "The realization of Walt Disney's dreams through stories led to the creation of his feature film animations, which eventually evolved into the exciting attractions and experiences you find at our very own Hong Kong Disneyland.
"By joining with The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong, we are reminding parents of the importance of storytelling by encouraging families to spend some time reading together every day. After all, the children of today are the visionaries and leaders of tomorrow."
"Walt Disney once said that there is more treasure in books than in all of the pirates' loot on Treasure Island and best of all, you can enjoy those riches everyday of your life. Hong Kong Disneyland is pleased to be continuing Walt's dream to inspire young imaginations by spreading the magic of storytelling and books to the local community," said Angela To.
Professor Mok Bong Ho introduced the history of the storytelling program of BGCA. "Our well-established network in the community ensures the success of the reading and storytelling programs at The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong."
Ms. Emily Mok also shared her view on how to inspire children's imaginations. Her wonderful speech earned the audience's hearty clap.
An oversized storybook created a magical backdrop for the storytelling session held at the BGCA hall, which began with Ambassador To hosting a Disney film trivia game where the children received special Hong Kong Disneyland pins for their efforts. More than 100 children and parents participated in today's reading session.
The children were enthralled as Belle began to tell her classic tale of adventure, friendship and love while inviting them to take on the collective character roles of the Beast, Lumiere and Gaston, as well as providing sound effects for added excitement.
In order to reach out to as many children as possible, Disney Reading Together will take place at various locations around Hong Kong over the next four months. Children between the ages of three to six are invited to attend the sessions with up to 40 children participating each time.
To date, Belle has visited children in 16 markets across the world from Florida to an Indian Reservation in North Dakota, and now Hong Kong.
The Walt Disney Company is the largest children's publisher of books and magazines in the world and has donated more than seven million books to disadvantaged children in recent years. The Walt Disney Company expects to donate more than one million books by the end of 2005.
Hong Kong Disneyland is dedicated to making the wishes of families and children a reality through public service initiatives, community outreach, and volunteerism in the areas of compassion, learning, the arts and the environment.
Disney reading Together Program Schedule
Date: 26 November 2005
Shaukiwan Children Centre and Library
UG/F, Block A, Ming Wah Dai Ha, Shaukiwan, Hong Kong
Date: 17 December 2005
Tai Wai Children & Youth Integrated Services Centre
G/F, Mei Yeung House, Mei Lam Estate, Shatin, N.T.
Date: 7 January 2006
Jockey Club Sau Mau Ping Children & Youth Intergrated Services Centre
G/F, Sau Lok House, Sau Mau Ping (III) Estate, Kwun Tong, Kln.
Date: 25 February 2006
Lok Man Children & Family Integrated Activity Centre
G/F, Block G, Lok Man Sun Chuen, Tokwawan, Kowloon
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About The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong
The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong was founded in 1936 with the mission of "Nurture the Young Create the Future". It is a voluntary agency, which provides professional services mainly for children and young people of the 2-35 years age group and parents. In response to the changing society, dedicated efforts have been directed towards the provision of developmental, preventive and remedial services to the children and youths in Hong Kong.
BGCA believes that reading leads to enrichment and improvement: through reading, children will not only obtain knowledge, but also learn how to appreciate, respect and cherish people and things around them.
Reading a book about a person is just the beginning. Children should ultimately be able to learn how to think analytically and express themselves. In the coming year, the Association will provide more activities and training to children to facilitate their expression of views after reading, which believed to help children enjoy reading even more.
About Hong Kong Disneyland
Located on lush Lantau Island overlooking Penny's Bay, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is a brand-new, world-class family entertainment and recreation center consisting of a magical, Disneyland-style theme park of shows and attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel (400 guestrooms), Disney's Hollywood Hotel (600 guestrooms) and Inspiration Lake, a public area featuring boat rentals and a 3.5 hectare arboretum. Offering guests of all ages a full day immersed in imagination and creativity uniquely Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland is home to Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Mulan and other Disney characters beloved the world over.
A joint venture of The Walt Disney Company and Hong Kong SAR Government, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort employs 5,000 cast members. The HKSAR Government estimated the first phase of the project will generate a present economic value of HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period.
The project was announced in 1999 and construction began in 2003.
For additional information and to book a magical vacation at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Hollywood Hotel, guests can contact:
Hotel Reservations Hotline
Hong Kong Disneyland Reservation Center
Telephone: 852-1-830-830
Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Hong Kong time), daily
To purchase Hong Kong Disneyland park tickets, guests should visit www.hongkongdisneyland.com or visit Hong Kong Disneyland Ticket Express at Hong Kong MTR Station, Tung Chung Concourse.
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