Start Your Year With Some Good at These Charity Events
Resolutions always go hand-in-hand with a brand new year. Let’s be honest though, most of them are somewhat… self-centered. That’s fine and dandy, but how about we also make a goal of helping others in 2022? There really is something to be said for doing our bit to better the world, and while there’s no shortage of pleas, I’m a big believer in giving back to your immediate surroundings.
With that being said, I've found a trifecta of charitable initiatives for you to back up in these first few days of January. They each appeal to different collectives, and yet all of them need your support. Read below, and make a difference in your small circle.
Art for Compassion with Roundabout
Save this Friday, Jan 7 from 7-9pm to attend a heartfelt online event: The Giving Circle’s New Year Gathering! This public welfare party is jointly hosted by The Giving Circle (益圈), China Charities Aid Foundation for Children, and Roundabout, with additional support from the Rotary Club of Beijing Riviera, Roundabout Community Art Centre, and the International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) Parent Association.
Under the motto “All Love, All Art, One Direction,” they aim to raise funds for children with congenital heart disease in Xinjiang. Expect a program of live music and dance performances, a prize draw, and a wonderful auction, where you’ll find plenty of cool artworks and goodies, including a painting created by MSB students. Scan the QR code below to find out more on how to attend.
Paws up for dog rescue
A dog’s friendship is like no other. That’s why it’s heartbreaking to see abandoned pups in the streets, at the mercy of the elements, or even worse abuse. Advocating for these strays is no walk in the park. Luckily, however, Christopher Barden was up to the challenge. In 2011, he founded the Beijing-based dog rescue organization Little Adoption Shop with the initial goal of helping existing shelters create a small “adoption shop" in the city, making the adoption process easier between grassroots shelters and adopters.
However, Barden’s involvement in a large-scale dog meat truck rescue that very same year urged him to start his own shelter and stay on the front-line of rescue efforts. Over a decade later, Little Adoption Shop has rescued more than 2,000 fur-balls and is currently hosting approximately 750 dogs in two shelters. Prospective adopters and volunteers may visit their website, but if that’s not in the cards for you, do check their Taobao store to get a copy of their newest desk calendar and other charity sale items. Be advised, though — cuteness overload!
Larry the Bird’s Holiday Raffle
Larry the Bird hasn’t been around that long, but it’s already a must for pretty much every chicken connoisseur in town. However, what made them stand out for me over Christmas is their Holiday Raffle, still ongoing until Jan 10. That’s right: The LTB team is asking the community to drop by with gifts of either new or gently loved goodies — board games, sports shoes and cleats, English books — for the disadvantaged children of Beijing.
No excuses; you can also make a donation. The rules are simple: donate, follow LTB’s official WeChat account (larrythebirdbeijing), get your raffle number, and wait to check the winners of three generous prizes, which will be announced later this month. The real prize here, though, is helping the non-profit organization Power Baseball Angels, which rallies for orphans and left-behind children to thrive in life through competitive baseball while offering them free education and a roof over their heads.
READ: Where to Donate Clothes (and Other Things) in Beijing
Images courtesy of the organizers
