'I'm supposed to be a grizzled old hack - 25 years in the news business - but I got so choked up when they called me, I couldn't speak,' Curtis said. 'I teared up. It was embarrassing but I hope to have that feeling again.'

The family has donated HK$1 million before - once in 2003, then again in 2005. This year, the elderly patriarch, on behalf of his family, attached a note along with the cheque. It reads: 'With Yuletide approaching, perhaps it is time for me to contribute to this meaningful endeavour again. I certainly hope I can continue to take part for many years to come. Enclosed please find my cheque for HK$1 million for Operation Santa Claus... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.'

This year many generous Hongkongers, groups and companies have already donated. As well as the HK$1 million cheque, two other individuals have sent HK$100,000 cheques.

Still, Operation Santa Claus and its 13 local beneficiaries need your support. 'We would like to gently encourage people that this has been a tough year and we really need a lot of help,' Curtis said. 'During difficult times, it's more important than ever to help the disadvantaged.'

Deon Lai, the project director of Operation Santa Claus, said online donations have been slow to come in. 'We still need to spread the word to ask people for their support,' she said. 'Individual donors, ordinary donors, can help a lot.'

Operation Santa Claus was a well-designed campaign with about 98 per cent of donations going to the charities due to low administrative costs, Curtis said. It 'finds smaller, lesser known charities that have trouble attracting funding. We give them not only money but publicity, which to them is the lifeblood for further funding for years to come'. Larger charities are considered, especially if their project is significant or unable to receive funding elsewhere.

The process is relatively simple. Every July, the Post and RTHK let beneficiaries know they are accepting submissions, and charities apply for funds for a project or projects that can be completed in a year.

After receiving proposals, a steering committee makes selections. The committee is comprised of Post and RTHK representatives, major donors and members of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

During the campaign, the beneficiaries are announced and daily appeals are made to the public.

You can help make a difference

How you can give

Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com

Donations can be made by ATM or at any HSBC branches: a/c number 502-676299-001 for SCMP CHARITIES LTD - OPERATION SANTA CLAUS

You can donate by cheque, payable to 'SCMP CHARITIES LTD - OPERATION SANTA CLAUS' and mailed to:

Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, New Territories, Hong Kong.

Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you'd like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt, with your name, address and phone number, to the address above