Athens China Earthquake Relief Fund Drive Updates
We had a successful donation-drive for the Sichuan earthquake relief at May 22, with over $6,300 collected on the spot and more checks to come from people who pledged to donate, thanks to the volunteers, participants, organizers, and most importantly, the generous donors. This figure will likely to grow substantially when the donation-drive ends in a week.
The very moment we set up the donation table at the Arch, a worker working on the nearby sidewalk made his donation, the first received. Isabel Zhang and her sister, Melissa, brought their piggy bank full of coins and poured them all into the donation box. Ms. Heidi Davison, Mayor of Athens-Clarke County, came to the event at 1 pm, and made donations she collected from the offices in the City Hall. She even donated the cash she had for lunch. We were truly moved by the outpouring sympathy and generosity displayed towards the victims of this catastrophic disaster half the Earth away.
Our volunteers showed great enthusiasm and put great amount of effort driving the all-day events. Those at the Arch gave up their lunch time, called for the attention of the passing pedestrians to this campaign for donation. Several of our volunteers walked cross the street onto the College Square , patiently and politely informing people the ongoing donation event. Others held collection boxes and the display boards for hours.
Our afternoon volunteers showed an even higher level of dedication to this event by attending the three donation sites. They tirelessly interacted with the busy people walking by to collect donations.
After the day’s event, Huanyao, Jason and Sean sat together to count the donations that we received in each box, producing the aforementioned total of over 6,300 dollars.
As you all would agree, this figure itself does not tell everything we witnessed that day. Some collection boxes contain many $1 bills and coins that are as precious as any other larger donations. The most important is that we know our efforts will make an impact on the lives of those who have been suffering because of the Sichuan earthquake. Some of our donations may translate into a nice backpack, a beautiful set of clothing, and new shoes …... for an orphan in Wenchuan.
Please remember that our donation-drive continues through the next week till June 1. Anyone who wishes to start a mini fund-drive at your workplace/church/residence may download the attached flyer to decorate your donation box, and forward to your circle this ABH newspaper report link http://onlineathens.com/stories/052308/uganews_20080523058.shtml. (Sean put out a donation box at the CCRC for two days, and he collected nearly $600 in donation.)
After your mini donation-drive, please bring all collection boxes to Huanyao, Jason or Sean. We’ll do the tally for you.
Every donated dollar brings
H O P E
Please make check payable to
“Athens China Earthquake Relief Fund”
P. O. Box 2163, Athens, GA 30612-0163
Tax deductible receipts available upon request
(Your donation may be tax-deductible)
There are many other donation channels available if you do not wish to participate in this local fund-drive, for examples:
The American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/news/in/profiles/Intl_profile_ChinaEarthquake.html
The Chinese Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.cn/
The Aixin Fundation, Inc.: http://www.aixinfund.org/
The Chinese Consulate in Houston: http://houston.china-consulate.org
We will keep you updated about the ongoing relief fund-drive.
Thank you very much!
On behalf of everyone involved in organizing the relief fund drive,
Pei Zhang and Yecheng “Jason” Huang (ACAA)
Huanyao Gao (UGACSU)
Shengcheng “Sean” Wu (ACCC)
Lihong Xie (UGACS)
A fund drive by Athens Chinese Americans Association, Athens Chinese Christian Church, UGA Chinese Student Union and UGA Chinese School.
Inquiry: 706-255-4304 / 706-613-2162
The powerpoints for donation is available for download at here.
Back to original UGA Chinese School homepage here