Middle School Charity Fair

On October 15^th, Shanghai High School International Division had another one of its famous charity fairs. This is a day on which the seventh and eighth grade students, the teachers, and the parents worked together to sell and buy items to raise money for charity. The charity fair was held in the cafeteria’s first, second, and third floors. The grass outside and the wide path leading there were also a part of the event.

In the food section, there were cakes, cookies, ice cream, donuts, chips, and even special types of food from other countries! There were also many beverages, including smoothies, milk tea, chocolate milk, and bottles of sprite and coke. A student even sold creatively made candy from Candy Lab to sell at the charity fair. Some sweets had a panda or SHSID printed on it. Another student sold delicious Korean fried rice cakes. Most of the seventh and eighth grade sellers worked in teams to make more money.

In the jewelry section, there were beautiful bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Students also sold posters, tattoos, key chains, stationaries, stuffed animals, and more.

There were also exciting activities prepared by the seventh and eighth grade ASB members. Those activities included throwing water balloons and many fun competitions. The eighth graders filled more than two big buckets with small, multi-colored water balloons, and invited several teachers to participate. Near the end of the charity fair, Principal Ni himself came to the event and allowed the students to throw water balloons at him. Those who did not attend that event watched with great interest on the sidelines or up on the second and third floors of the cafeteria. Aside from those games, there was also a spicy noodle challenge and a hoop toss. Prizes were given to the winners, and everyone had a great time playing with friends, buying new things, and participating in the events.

The school raised a total of 67,000 RMB throughout this Charity Fair. Students had a lot fun and raised a big donation at the same time. This event has brought the students happiness, but it has also taught them responsibility and, most of all, the importance of helping those in need. Now, let us list the most special stands and the best stands:

• The Coolest Stand

What goods are popular in the charity fair? After researching the customers’ psychology, the coolest stand was created. Yuefan from class 7(6) bought a lot of tattoo stickers online after finding out that many girls loved these stickers because they were both handy and stylish. As expected, this stand attracted lot of attention, and many girls came to buy. The designs of all these stickers were very ingenious and original; there were cute lips and apples, cool skulls, creative small feet, and other abstract patterns. Because of the diverse designs and reasonable price, the stickers were rapidly cleared out. Yuefan said, “I’m glad my idea has proved very successful. And I am delighted to help those people in need.”

• The Most Artistic Stand

John from 7(1) has liked drawing since childhood and this charity fair he set up a stand selling T-shirts designed by him. These hand-made goods were incredibly popular, and so a lot of people came to buy them. Some students liked cute ones, such as the Pac-mans and the minions; others chose cool patterns, like faces and abstract characters. With a diverse mix of patterns and designs, all the T-shirts were sold out. Some students even directly put on these cool shirts.

The owner is very excited about the charity fair coming up next semester. He said, “I think drawing T-shirts can not only cultivate my creativity but also help those people in need, and I want to take part next time.”

• The Most Consistent Stand

Every country has its own “century-old shop” that is never out of fashion; likewise, the charity fair also has its own old and experienced stands that are always willing to contribute each year. When one hears of the name Stephen Sun and his mother, the first thing that normally pops into their mind is the enticing traditional Taiwanese sausages and rice pudding that are sold out every year. However, when you look at their overcrowded booth filled with people, you may not know of the unfamiliar story behind it. With his mother’s encouragement and support, Stephen has been one of the oldest charity fair sellers who has participated a whopping 9 times in a row. Every year, the aromatic smell of their lip-smacking delicacies lures masses of hungry students to their booth to buy the food that they never get tired of. Often, their booth would go “out of stock”, and Stephen’s mom would have to make more sausages and rice pudding on the spot. Throughout the interview, it can be known that with the positive attitude of “participating in charity for the happiness of accomplishing greater good,” Stephen and his mother have been enthusiastically involved in this event and have even earned more than 5,000 RMB before! While donating, Stephen has also developed into thinking more deeply and now knows the importance of appreciation and that people should give without hopes of gaining anything in return. From the story of Stephen and his mother’s persistent attitude towards donating, one can also witness a true account of helping selflessly and understand the true meaning of the charity fair.

• The Most Eye-Catching Stand

Every class in school has its own class clown who is born into the circus and never misses a chance to act foolishly for the laughter caused by his humiliation. “Booth clowns,” booths that are drastically different from others, can also be found in the charity fair. If you pass by a boy with bright, neon colored nail polish on his fingers and layer after layer of sparkling necklaces on his neck, please don’t scream in fear! This is Harry Zhao, the “most eye-catching mascot” one will probably ever find in the charity fair, and he is the model for the unique booth Austin Lin has created. People may wonder if a table filled with numerous colorful female accessories seen with a “big guy” sitting behind it will scare off all the customers. However, the advertisement technique Austin had used by purposely making males be models had attracted more people and increased their booth’s popularity. The “booth clown” may seem unserious and funky, but the passion of helping others in need is stronger as the boys willingly accept to be humiliated and become ugly for charity.

• The Most Talented Stand

Bracelets in the charity fair, not rare! Hand-made bracelets, very rare! Candice from 7(2) and her family spent days making the beautiful bracelets for charity fair. They had put all their heart and effort so that these bracelets had all different colors and intricate patterns. Representing loving and care, these cute little accessories were rapidly cleared out. And the “heart” patterns, which best deliver the meaning of charity fair, were an absolute favorite.

(Written by Zhu Lei Picture by Zhu Lei)