NEW YORK, October 20, 2015 – The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation is proud to present Link Asset Management Limited with the 2015 Asia Pacific Community Support Award for its outstanding “Link Together Initiatives” program, which helps non-profit organizations operate service projects near local properties. The philanthropic program addresses the social needs of the region and fosters a greater sense of community.
“Link Together Initiatives encourage the sustainable development of our communities and support our vision of improving the lives of the people around us,” said George Hongchoy, CEO of Link Asset Management Limited. “Nearly half a million people have benefited from this initiative since its launch and we plan to continue to support the community in the years to come.”
The Asia Pacific Community Support Award is an annual award given to a shopping center that successfully partnered with a philanthropic organization to address the needs of its community. To commemorate this award, the ICSC Foundation has donated $5,000 USD to the Music Children Foundation, Link Asset Management Limited’s partnering charity.
"The Music Children Foundation provides an early music education, free-of-charge, for underprivileged children in Hong Kong, with the vision that a free, immersive classical music education can positively influence the social issues in the region,” said Monique Pong, founder and CEO of Music Children Foundation. “Music is an enjoyable experience that builds children’s confidence, strengthens their character and enables them to express themselves. We look forward to bringing the joy of music to many more underprivileged children in Hong Kong. "
The ICSC Foundation presented the award to Link Asset Management Limited during a ceremony at RECon Asia in Taipei, Taiwan. The Asia Pacific Community Support Award winner, along with the winners of other international community support awards, is automatically entered into a global competition for the Albert Sussman International Community Support Award, which will be announced on May 22, 2016 at RECon in Las Vegas.
Shopping centers are more than just retail hubs – the shopping center industry has a long history of community outreach and corporate social responsibility, and has often responded to communities in need through charitable programs. The ICSC Foundation established the Asia Pacific Community Support Awards to encourage and recognize outstanding community support by a shopping center or shopping center development or management company.
Want to learn more? Join the conversation on Twitter via @ICSC and #ICSCFoundation with the hashtag #MindfulMalls to recognize shopping centers that share a common vision of making a difference.
The ICSC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the ICSC whose mission is to strengthen the global retail real estate industry by supporting students, professionals and the philanthropic work of shopping centers. For more information, visit www.icscfoundation.org.
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 70,000 members in over 100 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, investors, retailers, brokers, academics, and public officials. The shopping center industry is essential to economic development and opportunity. They are a significant job creator, driver of GDP, and critical revenue source for the communities they serve through the collection of sales taxes and the payment of property taxes. These taxes fund important municipal services like firefighters, police officers, school services, and infrastructure like roadways and parks. Shopping centers aren’t only fiscal engines however; they are integral to the social fabric of their communities by providing a central place to congregate with friends and family, discuss community matters, and participate in and encourage philanthropic endeavors. For more information about ICSC visit www.icsc.com and for the latest news from ICSC and the industry go to www.thecenterofshopping.com.
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