The Western International School of Shanghai has thrown its annual Christmas charity party to support three major organizations that help the needy: Coleurs de Chine, Half the Sky and Heart to Heart.

The party was spiced up with entertainment by staff and student "buskers," stationary and roving performers. Music teacher Matt Peitsch from Australia, who sang with the faculty chorus, said: "Supporting these charities was a great way to have fun while doing some good for others."

The school also organized a series of craft activities for children, including Candy Cane Reindeer, Pompom Snowmen, Cookie Decoration, Hand Prints and Christmas Trees. Parents purchased craft "passports" for their children to take part in different activities.

A photo shoot with Santa and a raffle were part of the fun. More than 30 rganizations and individuals donated raffle prizes, including memory sticks, a Philips juicer, a Christian Dior handbag, an iPod, two HP desktop computers, champagne, school bags and toys and many other items.

Parents baked delicious treats for a bake sale, which sold out completely. Helene Ballon, one parent from the baking team, noted, "All the moms were feeling very happy to contribute to a charity through their cookies. Since Christmas goes with sharing and making everybody happy, I'm 100 percent sure it was a very thoughtful to bake goodies to raise money, a 'heart' thing that is meaningful."

The proceeds will go to Coleurs de Chine to help establish a school for Miao minority in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. WISS has been working with Coleurs de Chine by sponsoring six Miao minority girls since last year.

WISS school board demonstrated its full support by donating food, materials and decorations for the wonderful party.

Right after the Christmas celebration, WISS is getting ready for the Chinese New Year's charity project that will support an earthquake-damaged school in Sichuan Province.

Working with BlueScope Steel, one of Australia's largest blue chip companies, WISS is helping to build a new school in Sichuan. The WISS community will provide the new school with stationery and items for daily teaching and learning. The project begins next week.

The generosity and compassion of the WISS community will help take the edge off the winter chills.

Director Dr Alfonso Orsini said, "We have been doing this kind of fundraising for three years now, and every year I am more and more proud of our wonderful community, a great group of caring individuals."

(Shanghai Daily December 18, 2008)