On Thursday, January 16 2018, selected YCIS students, staff and parent volunteers traveled to Yuzhong Special Education School in Chaotianmen to deliver this year’s gifts from the 8^th annual Charity Drive. This year we made some exciting changes in our planning of the event. In past years, we have collected shoeboxes full of gifts including winter clothing, stationary and toys for children in underprivileged homes. This year instead of shoeboxes, pink and blue gift bags were filled with winter clothes, stationary and toys, then delivered to students with special needs in Chongqing.

After many weeks and hours of preparation, students, staff and volunteers set out to Chaotianmen in Chongqing for their special day of spreading holiday cheer and giving to those in need. Upon arrival at the school they were greeted excitedly by the schools head teacher. Everyone then divided into groups to distribute the gift bags to each individual class from Year 1-High School aged children. These children at Yuzhong Special Education School have a range of special needs including Autism, Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy and other multiple disabilities.

As students went into the classroom to deliver their gift bags, the faces of their peers showed pure joy and happiness. Students were eager to open their bags and try on their new clothing and play with their new toys. After some time for songs and getting to know each other, everyone from both schools gathered together to celebrate this time by taking photos and playing games such as bowling, indoor basketball, Duck Duck Goose, three legged races and hot potato. Students, parents and teachers were both excited and elated to share this wonderful time together. One student was so excited about the gloves he received he didn’t want to take them off even after needing to go inside for a break.

An additional 73 gift bags have also been prepared for Wuxi Qingzhuangmingde Primary School and will be delivered to them by community volunteers following the Chinese New Year holiday. We look forward to sharing those photos with you after this additional delivery.

A sincere thank you to all YCIS families and staff who donated to this event and to the PO volunteers, staff and students that helped make this event successful. We are looking forward to next year’s Charity Drive and hope that as members of the YCIS family, we can continue to show how we follow our foundations motto: Yew Chung will align with LOVE and CHARITY!