Origins: Embarking on a Journey of Warmth and Compassion

On May 28th, the campus of SHSID Hongkou buzzed with compassion and a warm ambiance as the 2025 Charity Fair, themed "Love Unites, Light Ignites”, successfully commenced. The event aimed to support the Shanghai Children’s Foundation’s "Sunshine Room" and "Love Baby Action" initiatives, the North Bund Community’s Student Aid Project, and the Childlike Heart Public Welfare’s "Tudou for Lunch Program." Its core mission was to unite the kindness of students, faculty, parents, and the wider community to deliver care and warmth to children in difficult circumstances, impoverished students, and young patients, firmly planting the seeds of public welfare within the school grounds. The Charity Fair received an enthusiastic response and active participation from the entire school community and parents, alongside strong support from the North Bund Subdistrict and neighboring schools, all pouring their hearts and passion into making the day possible.

Preparation Chronicles: United Efforts, Overflowing Kindness

During the preparatory phase, the school convened a planning meeting with parent volunteers. Second-grade parents shared invaluable lessons learned from the previous Charity Fair. Attendees pooled their wisdom and efforts. Building on past experience, they refined plans, proposed numerous innovative ideas, and engaged in thorough discussions on event logistics, specific details, and meticulous planning to ensure smooth execution. Parents, brimming with enthusiasm, spontaneously organized various stalls, preparing merchandise and materials for venue decoration. They also actively participated in Charity Fair coordination, organization, and promotional efforts. Furthermore, many parents volunteered to assist the planning committee with site setup and item management, laying a solid foundation for the event day. Concurrently, Hongkou Campus teachers actively prepared for their own stall, handcrafting items for sale.

During Personal Growth classes, teachers guided students in reflecting on the heartening achievements of last year’s Charity Fair. Video presentations showcased the tangible help and positive changes brought about by their charitable actions. Teachers explained the purpose of the Charity Fair and ways students could participate, guiding them in forming groups in preparation for collaboratively running stalls.

Unlike the previous year, students took on a central role in this edition. Working in groups, they threw themselves into preparations: some well crafted beautiful handicrafts; others collected, sorted, and donated second-hand books, stationery, and other items, diversifying the Charity Fair offerings; while others innovatively conceived interactive games like "Golden Egg Smash" and blind box draws to add excitement to sales. To attract customers, each group also designed eye-catching thematic posters. Through the entire process – creating products, designing posters, and formulating sales strategies – students effectively honed their teamwork and business acumen through collaboration.

Innovation in Action: Technology Empowers, Warmth Amplifies

This year’s Charity Fair was brimming with highlights, as innovative practices elevated the warmth and impact.

At the event itself, students were not merely participants but transformed into "Young Stall Owners," managing their stalls autonomously. To ensure smooth operations, each group established clear internal roles and created detailed "shift schedules": some members handled token collection, others stamped certificates, some enthusiastically explained product features to customers, while others managed sign-ins, timekeeping, and notifying the next group for rotation. By personally experiencing the entire process of stall management, students gained a deep understanding of the synergy between philanthropy and commerce. They practically developed essential skills in communication, sales techniques, and basic stall financial management through customer interactions.

Parents also introduced distinctive innovations: Classes 1-2 and 2-2 pioneered an "Online + Offline" pre-sale model, building anticipation and significantly broadening social awareness and support. Class 2-1 launched the "3-minute Green Action" eco-charity initiative, encouraging students to bring old T-shirts, which were transformed on-site into stylish eco-shopping bags. This not only promoted sustainable living but also infused the Charity Fair with unique creativity, achieving resource recycling.

Collaboration with charitable organizations deepened significantly. The inaugural partnership with the Shanghai Children’s Foundation injected fresh vitality into the Charity Fair. The newly added "Sunshine Room" and "Love Baby Action" donation projects provide targeted care for sick children. Plans are underway to organize student volunteers for hospital visits, offering companionship through reading and storytelling sessions.

The specially established "Sugar Babies" stall – "Que Yi Qiang Qiang" (Birds Chirping Harmoniously) – became a focal point, drawing crowds. At this stall, adorable children with Down syndrome sold merchandise derived from their own paintings – items like document holders, coasters, and phone stands – radiating pure innocence and resilient spirit.

Live at the Scene: Love Converges, Brilliance Unfolds

On the day, the campus transformed into an ocean of love and joy. Participants eagerly left heartfelt messages on the signature wall, while class photos captured these warm, touching moments. The basketball court and first floor of the cafeteria became a bustling "Charity Marketplace," brimming with diverse stalls. Parents and students enthusiastically promoted homemade handicrafts, food, drinks, books, toys, and other specialty items, their calls and laughter creating a lively atmosphere.

The marketplace shone with highlights: Some stalls featured Charity Fair logo-inspired merchandise, designing canvas bags, magnetic cardholders, coffee mugs, luggage tags, and stationery. Others bustled with heat-transfer T-shirt printing, offering custom designs chosen by customers, leading to a constant stream of orders. Another stall focused on sportswear like quick-dry T-shirts, sun hats, and custom sports gear such as frisbees and rackets. One stall captivated children and adults alike with its "Mysteries of the Ancient World" theme, inviting them to dig for "fossil treasures" and create beautiful butterfly specimens, taking a piece of nature’s wonder home. Artists were also present, drawing live cartoon portraits for participants. The interactive game zone was equally packed, with VR experiences, pitch-pot, bean bag toss, ring toss, and ball drop games attracting crowds, their cheers and laughter weaving a symphony of joy.

The atmosphere peaked with students’ surprise flash performances. The GLEE club’s rendition of "Change Myself," with its powerful lyrics "I can change the world, change myself," resonated deeply with the charity theme. This was followed by the Foreign Dance optional class’s energetic hip-hop performance to "Baby Shark," winning thunderous applause and cheers.

The subsequent lucky draw added waves of excitement. Student prizes were delightfully playful, including custom postcards and fridge magnets featuring student artwork, and blind boxes of cartoon teacher wobblers. Parent prizes held special significance – SHSID memorabilia like original floral tote bags and acrylic cartoon teacher standees. Parents and students eagerly awaited the draws, pushing the festive atmosphere to another high point.

Fruits of Kindness: Love Gathers, Remarkable Results

From meticulous preparation to the vibrant Charity Fair, from innovative practices to selfless dedication, the united efforts of the entire school community – students, faculty, parents, and partner organizations – forged this creative and compassionate event. The Charity Fair ultimately raised substantial funds, a fruitful outcome of the passionate participation, tireless volunteers, and staunchly supportive partners. This profound outpouring of kindness will be precisely directed to the designated aid projects: the Shanghai Children’s Foundation’s "Sunshine Room" and "Love Baby Action," the North Bund Community Student Aid Project, and the Childlike Heart "Tudou for Lunch Program," delivering tangible care and warmth to children in need, impoverished students, and young patients. SHSID Hongkou Campus extends its deepest gratitude to all participating parents for their generosity, to the hardworking parent volunteers, to the guiding teachers, and to the dedicated on-site staff. It is through this collective effort that kindness spreads and warmth endures.

Looking Ahead: Love Unites, Light Ignites

As dusk fell, the 2025 Charity Fair at SHSID Hongkou Campus concluded, but the journey of love continues. Looking forward, Hongkou Campus is committed to establishing the Charity Fair as an influential annual tradition, persistently passing the torch of compassion and inspiring more to join this cause. As the event’s spirit proclaims, "Together, we make a difference." Each small act of kindness holds the power to change; when countless sparks gather, they will ultimately illuminate the world and warm hearts. Hongkou Campus will steadfastly continue this journey forged in love.

Written by Nina Kang

Proofread by Samuel James Alexander

Pictures by Parent Volunteers, Rachel Wu, Elaine Zhu

Video by Parent Volunteers