In the summer of 2017, we found that many students at a school in Jingdezhen, a city located in the Jiangxi province of China, did not have access to books. Two of my friends and I decided to hold a fundraiser for money and books for those students. In a short amount of time, we raised over $300 and collected ten boxes of books. After a long drive on a rainy day, we brought into the school all the books we collected and two bookshelves. In the classroom, we used big poster cards to teach the students about life in America. On these poster cards, there was information about classes, performing arts, activities, and community service found in schools in America. After teaching, my two friends and I along with the kids in the classroom, built a book corner. The student’s reactions were priceless, every single one of their eyes lit up and I discovered that they had a hunger to learn, but they were restricted. We all enjoyed this experience because we saw that all of them were so excited to have a book corner in their classroom.
Donation Through Concert 2015
In 2015, I hosted my second event, which was also a big hit. At Harker, a private high school in San Jose, CA. I found a few friends who also enjoyed performing for youth charity events. We got the idea to sing and play instruments together at a private event. During that event, attendees donated money and toys to our foundation, and my friends and I brought them to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Following the event, I was named Lucile Packard Hospital’s “Featured Champion”, acknowledging me for my philanthropic efforts.
My First Donation 2013
In 2013, I decided to make my tenth birthday party a fundraising event. Instead of keeping the gifts for myself, I wanted to donate them to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital as my inaugural fundraising event. I shared my idea with everyone in my class grade by sending classmates an invitation. They showed their support by showing up and donating money and gifts to my foundation. Even on Super Bowl Day, one hundred of my friends happily attended the event and collectively donated over $2,000.
Volunteering
I also enjoy volunteering at a local library. Starting in 2016, when I was thirteen years old, I co-ran a class where I taught young students how to improve their writing by giving them creative prompts. After our first session of classes over two months, parents told to me that their child had improved their writing skills and had begun picking up an interest in writing.
Also, whenever the library hosted book sales, I helped them set up, organize, and pack up books along with helping customers with payments and bagging.