作為香港最持久的年度籌款活動之一，「Operation Santa Claus」（OSC）於星期二正式啟動，今年主題為「Unlock the City’s Spirit of Giving」，所籌得的款項將資助13個本地慈善機構，服務範圍涵蓋兒童、青年、長者、殘疾人士及社區有精神健康需要者。
OSC自1988年起持續運作，由RTHK同《南華早報》合辦。廣播處長Angelina Kwan在啟動儀式上表示：「 Through good times and difficult times, this campaign has continued. Year after year, people across our city have given their time, their energy and their support. That consistency is what gives Operation Santa Claus its strong reputation in town.」
《南華早報》出版人Tammy Tam則指出，城市的慷慨精神年復一年與日俱增，「 reaching hundreds of charitable projects and tens of thousands of lives」，並特別提及去年旺角邨（Wang Fuk Court）火災發生後，市民捐款更達到新的高度：「My deepest gratitude also goes to every donour. Whether you gave a little or a lot, you made this campaign what it is.」
啟動儀式上，歌手Miriam Ma以及Yuet Ng、Yat Ng亦帶來音樂表演，展示「 smallest acts of courage and kindness can inspire the community」。
归根究底，善緣並非靠官方，而是靠香港人自己。旺角邨火災後湧現的捐款熱潮，已充分證明香港人的愛心未嘗泯滅。然而，捐款最終流向何方、有否帶來實質成效，這些正是市民應予關注之處。OSC這30多年的透明度與問責，值得持續跟進。
