On 21 March, Shanghai United International School Qingpu Campus was filled with the warmth of spring from the charity event “A Loving Spring Festival is Even Happier”. Continuing the school’s annual tradition, the day featured a combined online and offline Charity Auction in the morning, followed by a child-centred Charity Bazaar in the afternoon. Parents, teachers, and students united to spread kindness and contribute to this important welfare initiative.
The bidding begins!
By 9:30 a.m., the auction venue, our Qinglong Theatre, was packed to capacity, while the online live broadcast commenced simultaneously. Among the 28 highly appealing auction lots were: educational resources, campus lifestyle perks, and cultural experiences. The online-exclusive “Afternoon Tea with the Principal” emerged as a particularly sought-after item. Practical offerings such as the “Campus Elevator Card” and “Parking Space Usage Rights” further galvanised parents’ enthusiasm, sparking a lively bidding war!
The lingering charm of the “Blue-and-White Porcelain” (auction item) introduced by Mr Zhu had scarcely faded when a wave of raised auction cards swept through the theatre. Parents wove a tapestry of generosity with their repeatedly raised bidding paddles. As the auction hammer fell, warm applause erupted, accompanied by a sincere pledge to support educational initiatives. This unique parent-child educational experience will now transform into a nourishing ‘rain’ to nurture children in remote mountainous regions.
Little stall owners! Fun at the school’s Charity Bazaar!
By 1 p.m., the school playground had transformed into a bustling Charity Bazaar brimming with colour. The children swiftly morphed into “stall owners” and “financial whizzes”, their kindness shining through the lively chaos of haggling, laughter and traded treasures.
The first graders’ stalls were very eye-catching. The children held the “Qinghe Shopping Little Masters” shopping lists and used the 100 yuan “Love Fund” to start their financial enlightenment. A young boy carefully recorded the combination of banknotes while muttering, “50 yuan + 20 yuan + 20 yuan + 10 yuan = 100 yuan! The ‘big money first’ “a rounding-up method taught by my math teacher makes payment really fast!” In front of the “Spring Day” stall, a little girl weighed her options with mathematical thinking. “The toy costs 20 yuan. Should I buy three for my classmates? No, it’ll exceed my budget! It’s more cost-effective to choose three boxes of coloured pens at 10 yuan each!” The parents all gave their thumbs up. Through the charity sale, the children not only learned how to keep accounts but also understood the importance of cherishing every cent.
In one corner of the playground, 4E students were divided into five groups: Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, Xuanwu, and Fusion. They carefully set up two warm charity sale stalls. The children took turns on duty, their earnest faces reflecting their determination to contribute to the public welfare cause. A rich variety of items was displayed on the stalls. The colourful cards were filled with innocent imagination, and the lovely toys told stories of childhood joys. The lucky draw session especially caught many people’s attention. All these charity sale items were purchased carefully by the children with their pocket money. They firmly stated that all the proceeds from the afternoon’s charity sale would be donated to children in Yunnan. These small acts of kindness merged into a great deal of warmth.
The Year 5 pupils displayed remarkable creativity during the charity sale. One pupil meticulously crafted a pillow featuring an image of Principal Adam. Every stitch reflected the pupil’s heartfelt admiration for the headteacher and served as a testament to the children’s genuine enthusiasm for supporting the charity event.
An enthusiastic crowd gathered around the stall of Class 7F, drawn by two internet-famous sheep. These sibling sheep had been featured in their owner’s online posts since they were six months old, gaining considerable popularity over time. Upon learning that the school was hosting a charity bazaar, their owner brought them along to lend a hand and support the cause. All proceeds from the transactions at the stall were donated, spreading this wonderful act of kindness to those in need.
Additionally, the professional consulting team from Lingchong Xiaozhu, known as the ‘Mao Feifan Pet Team,’ attended the event alongside their exotic pet idol group. They showcased rare small animals, such as meerkats, as well as various exclusive merchandise featuring Lucas, the school’s cherished dog. Pupils who purchased these items were also treated to close-up encounters with the exotic pets. Through these thoughtful purchases, the children’s affection for animals was channelled into supporting animal-related charities.
At the lively and bustling charity sale, Principal Adam was dressed smartly in a sharp suit. Though he is typically serious, in this moment, he radiated energy and enthusiasm. Standing at the heart of the event alongside the spirited teachers and parents from the Zumba Club, he danced exuberantly to the upbeat rhythm of ‘APT.’ Every move was full of vitality, and his face glowed with a warm, cheerful smile. In this unique way, they encouraged the volunteers participating in the charity sale, further heightening the lively atmosphere of the event.
The parent volunteers were exceptionally busy throughout the charity sale. They arrived at the school early to assist the children in setting up their stalls. Balloons and hand-drawn artwork decorated the stalls, making them wonderfully eye-catching. When they noticed that some pupils were too shy to approach customers, the parents stepped in, taking the lead and demonstrating how to attract attention. They enthusiastically introduced the products, encouraging the children to follow their example. During transactions, the parent volunteers remained attentive, guiding the pupils on how to give correct change and interact with customers politely. Through their actions, they exemplified the true spirit of charity, enabling the children to experience the joy and fulfillment of giving.
It is worth noting that the students from the high school department also made invaluable contributions to the charity sale. Their musical performances were truly exceptional, captivating the audience. The volunteer DJ backstage created an audio-visual spectacle, filling the venue with lively and energetic tunes. Meanwhile, some students participated in role-playing, donning meticulously prepared costumes and weaving through the crowd. Their distinctive appearances and engaging interactions brought a unique and delightful charm to the event, making it all the more memorable.
The charitable funds are allocated, and hope takes root.