Lunar New Year holds profound significance to Chinese communities worldwide as part of our culture and collective identity. The celebration allows us to share the traditions and joys of our festive holiday with more people across the world. By engaging in events like tasting Chinese pastries, paper cutting, and face painting, cultural barriers are no longer bridged as individuals from diverse backgrounds come together. The Bridge Chapter organized volunteers to face-paint Chinese traditional flowers and Chinese symbolic water tattoos on children and adults during Weston High School’s Lunar New Year festival. Seeing all the smiles after painting is truly a delight!
Written by Xixi Cui and Dora Mou Edited by Melinda Yu
On December 16th, 2023, the OC Autism Foundation hosted its 14th Annual Breakfast with Santa & Resource Fair. The event, designed to be a sensory-friendly pajama party, was exclusively available for families living with autism and other disabilities. The day began early at 6:00 AM for the volunteers setting up the park for hundreds of families partaking in the event. The workforce was split into different groups, focusing on packaging gifts for each child, dressing up in costumes, and hosting different activities. The Fessenden Chapter were honored to be able to help organize and set up this incredible experience!
On December 16th, 2023, thirteen volunteers came together in the Lexington Community Center to make origami, holiday cards, and a gift bakset as part of the Minuteman Chapter’s annual holiday drive for Youville Place Lexington. With the students planning to deliver them to Youville on December 23rd, the Lexington Minuteman Chapter looks forward to bringing all the holiday joy from participants to their local seniors!
On November 25th, 2023, the Lexington Minuteman Chapter organized an event to help decorate the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield. Students across Massachusetts from 8th to 10th grade gathered together to support RMHC. From hanging baubles to building a miniature train, volunteers helped turn a regular lobby into a festive holiday welcome. The Minuteman Chapter looks forward to organizing another event on December 16th to make holiday cards for the local elderly!
On September 10th, 2023, five high school volunteers from the North Kentucky Student Corps chapter turned their collective enthusiasm for decluttering into a heartwarming funding event. Setting up makeshift stalls in the Kentuckiana Chinese School, they displayed a diverse array of items they no longer needed; these items ranged from well-loved video games to educational books that had outgrown their utility. Committed to the well-being of their community, volunteers priced everything to be wallet-friendly for their younger peers heading to and from the school. This brought joy to the young children who received valuable finds — creating an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie. As kids stopped by, the volunteers enjoyed bright smiles and friendly banter, making the experience much more than just a transaction. It was a testament to the power of a community coming together to support one another, turning an ordinary afternoon into a memorable experience!
In addition, the NKYSC addressed a critical health concern: radon exposure, a prevalent issue in many regions of Kentucky and the second leading cause of lung cancer. The students took proactive steps by offering radon testing services to local homeowners and have reached out to over 50 families. A significant number of households remain unaware of the elevated radon levels present in their residences and the associated health risks. Besides radon testing, the dedicated student volunteers explained to families the potential radon mitigation solutions. In total, the radon testing donations and the community charity sale efforts have raised over $880 in donations.
Written by Daisy Qian & Summer Li Edited by Melinda Yu
