Volunteers with toys for students of BeiBei Children's Rehabilitation and Education Centre
Experiencer
By Daria Fominykh
"She had the most wholesome smile. You could see how much she loved it," Alexander shared about the reaction of a 14-year-old girl with autism when she made a paper airplane with his help. This was one of the many warm and kind moments that the toy drive event at the BeiBei Children's Rehabilitation and Education Centre brought to the volunteers last Saturday, in celebration of Old Christmas.
On Jan 7, the Hangzhou Rotary Club organized its second benevolent event featuring fun games and presents for children at Bei Bei Rehabilitation Center. Hangzhou Rotary has been organizing a variety of charity events, ranging from clothing drives to fundraising activities for pet rescue, providing volunteering opportunities for numerous locals and expats for years. Hangzhou Goodwill Activists, another charitable club, also participated in the event by contributing more volunteers. Together they formed a diverse group of enthusiasts of all ages from around China and the international community in Hangzhou. Let's learn about some of them!
Alexander from the USA, who is the heart and soul behind the Hangzhou Goodwill Activists group, was responsible for recruiting volunteers and holding a super fun paper airplane game for the kids. Besides the moment of joy for a sweet girl who was so happy to make the paper airplane, Alexander was touched by an unexpected gift for himself. A smaller girl made a special, colorful paper airplane just for Alexander, and they played planes together for about 15 minutes. Alexander shared that their community engages in a mix of heartwarming activities—from children and human rights to community service, animals, nature, and fundraisers, welcoming others to join!
It was Greg, a dedicated individual from the UK, who had some arrangements soon after the event started but could not help and stayed longer to spend more time with the kids. As a class teacher and education coordinator (outdoors) at Wellington College/Huili Nursery, he proudly shared that the teacher and students' parents participated in donations for the joys. He also was happy to notice that "The smiles on the children were so lovely, and one of our wonderful Wellington College families also came to the event to help out." Greg shared that "This was the first time that Wellington College and I have been involved in an event of this kind," and he expressed his hope for engaging even more people in charity events.
Nolene (Nola), originally from South Africa, helped out at the toy giveaway spot. As a primary school teacher in China, she found herself yearning for community communication and charity work, like what she used to do back home. She said excitedly, "I was thrilled to find Rotary and Hangzhou Goodwill Activists. This is my second event with them. The last time, we organized another toy drive in a cancer center. I believe such activities hold great meaning."