Roots and Shoots People (RS People) began its first Winter Supply Drive, which began on January 9 and ends on the 13th. RS People collect money so that they can buy supplies and donate them to the elderly.
RS People, which meets every Wednesday in Ms. Erica’s classroom to discuss how to improve the quality of the lives of the less fortunate, planned a different activity to raise money – they were completely inexperienced in running a drive. However, as members of RS People had predicted, AISG was full of “spirited, compassionate and caring people” according to Junior Jacky Liu. They were able to collect enough money to provide thirty people in Baiyun Community Center with packages containing thermoses and blankets.
RS People participates in services that involve the community of Guangzhou. They visit the mental hospital in the Baiyun Center and orphanages in Dongguan, and they sometimes take trips to Kaiping to assist similar populations. These trips aim to help the less fortunate, obviously, but also let participants become better people who serve the community and recognize their own privilege in having their basic needs met.
Although the expected amount of generous people participated in the Winter Supply Drive donation, and RS People was able to buy the anticipated amount of winter supplies, the event may have been a bit dull and simple for the whole student body to actively engage in. The method RS People used was merely to walk to homerooms carrying a colorfully decorated box asking for donations. Jacky commented, “more people would have participated… [if there had been] appealing activities such as the Hungry Games from TEC or the Fun Run from GIN.”
Jacky said, “There is a book drive around April and Roots and Shoots will be having more events for next year.” Hopefully, we can see the craziest and most creative ideas become reality in upcoming events so the entire student body will be motivated to participate and donate.