Helena May members are active throughout the year supporting the community. Some of the 2010-2011 projects include: Open Day: 14th November 2010 The doors to The Helena May open to the Hong Kong community once a year so that we may share our heritage building. Regular tours will be conducted of the facilities and there will be exhibition, video and presentation areas showcasing our facilities, member activities and charity projects. Bazaar: October 14, 2010 At the same time, we hold a charity bazaar to display the abilities and wares of women entrepreneurs who make or source items for sale. Proceeds are donated to our nominated charity. Heritage Tours of The Helena May On a regular basis students from local primary schools are introduced to the history of our heritage building, the benefits of conservation and the concept of donation and charitable giving. Tours and instruction are conducted by native English speakers in the presence of teachers. Students complete a prepared worksheet and are rewarded with an English afternoon tea where they learn western etiquette and tea service. Mentorship Many members of The Helena May offer to be mentors of second year students as part of the Hong Kong University Mentorship programme. Students are introduced to social and educational experiences that are not offered in the classroom, such as mixing at cocktail parties, discussing and exchanging views in English with senior executives, or learning about expatriate culture from around the world. Wellness Talks As part of our service to the women of Hong Kong, quarterly talks are held, covering health topics with a particular emphasis on women. These talks are open to the public. Comfort Hats On the first Wednesday of every month, members gather to make soft material hats for people undergoing chemotherapy. As the loss of hair can be traumatic, material and color combinations are carefully chosen. Our volunteer members produce more than 200 hats a month. Skills required: cutting, pinning, machining and enthusiasm. Quilting On the second Thursday of the month, a dedicated group of quilters gather to make patchwork quilts, which are commissioned and sold with the proceeds going to The Helena May charity. Picnics for low income families This is another recurring activity run by our members in conjunction with the Society of Community Organization. Families are taken to places such as Kadoorie Farm where children and parents can relax together and share a mutually new experience while enjoying food provided by The Helena May. Packets of Love Coordinated by the Haven of Hope and sponsored by donations from Helena May members, special food parcels are delivered to former hospital patients in time for Christmas. Members join the delivery teams in distributing these to Tseung Kwan O and East Kowloon. The Helena May HKGGA English Conversation Badge An annual Assessment Day for Brownies and Girl Guides is held at The Helena May where girls are assessed by native English speaking members. Parents are welcome to join their daughters on the visit. This activity celebrates the historical unity between The Helena May and the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, which were both founded in 1916 and have since enjoyed their special anniversaries in joint activities. Sponsorship for students of the arts Select students at the Academy of Performing Arts receive sponsorship from The Helena May. And, together with our resident Carol Bateman School of Dancing, The Helena May jointly sponsors young ballet students from less privileged backgrounds.