The holidays usually bring an upsurge in charitable giving, but Beijing has many charity groups that are in need of volunteers and resources over the holiday season and beyond. The following are some Beijing organizations worth supporting:
Beijing Cat
This Wudaokou-based organization works to rescue homeless “moggies” from the streets of the capital. You can help out by fostering a kitty until a new home is found for it or welcome it into your family on a more long-term basis via adoption. All cats are healthy, de-wormed, neutered and vaccinated. Beijing Cat seeks a webmaster as well as volunteers to help with kitty transportation, general admin tasks and the building of outdoor shelters. Don’t have time to volunteer? You can still help out by sponsoring a personally selected kitty (after browsing their profiles) for RMB 80 per month or by donating funds to the trap-neuter-release (TNR) program, which aims to decrease the stray population in Beijing. E-mail for more info.
8 Huayuan Donglu, Wudaokou, Haidian. (6679 6620, scarlett@beijingcat.org) www.beijingcat.org 海淀花园东路8号
Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Centre (CHP)
CHP works to raise public awareness and equip local communities with practical skills and training to preserve local heritage and buildings. The grassroots organization needs volunteers and interns in order to run the organization and offers numerous ways to get involved including communications, fundraising and project development. You can also support the organization via donations or purchasing CHP products, CHP T-shirts and postcards featuring scenes of old Beijing.
Rm 309, Building E, 46 Fangjia Hutong (just south of Guozijian Jie), Dongcheng District. (6403 4932) http://en.bjchp.org/ 东城区方家胡同46号艺术园区(国子监南临)E座309室
CAI
Summed up in its mission statement, this charity seeks to “Empower underprivileged children with care, confidence, courage and commitment.” It specifically targets the children of migrant laborers with arts and sports programs and character development activities. Volunteers are sought to coach sports, teach art and help out in the office. What’s more, for only RMB 2999, you can buy a booklet of meal vouchers offering more than RMB 2,000 worth of discounts at some of Beijing’s elite restaurants. CAI also sells t-shirts and greeting cards designed by art students and welcomes direct donations. (6437 8616) www.cai-china.org
Little Bird
This nonprofit offers free legal counseling and labor-related dispute mediation to migrant workers and in the past decade it has assisted tens of thousands of migrants and resolved thousands of cases involving rights protection and unpaid wages. It seeks donations to fund its operations. More info on thebeijinger.com blog here.
Rm BA 318, The North Garden Hotel, 218-1 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6851 8155) www.xiaoxiaoniao.org.cn/index.htm 城区王府井大街218-1号北方佳苑饭店写字间BA318室
Magic Hospital
With offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Paris, Magic Hospital works to brighten the lives of children in hospitals, orphanages and shelters, In Beijing, the charity has a team of clowns and artists who bring laughter to children in hospital. The organization relies on committed volunteers to manage operations. Part time and occasional volunteers are needed work as “elves” on short term projects, while volunteers who can commit 3-5 hours per week for about a year will find fun and exciting opportunities at Magic Hospital’s Chaoyang office.
Rm 1402, Xingfu Gongyu, 16 Xingfuyicun Xili, Chaoyang District. www.magichospital.org 朝阳区幸福一村西里 16 号楼幸福公寓 1402 室
Ping An Medical Foster Home
Established by and funded by private donations from the expat community, the Ping An Medical Foster Home has grown from one room in an apartment to two properties in Beijing. A full time staff provides round-the-clock care for an ever-increasing number of babies, many of them orphans born with cleft palates or spina bifida. Teresa Woo, one of the co-founders, takes on the hard cases and works directly with hospitals and fundraisers to ensure each child receives the best medical care possible. She prides herself on being able to provide pre- and post-op care on a small scale, making the environment as close to a real home as possible. Ping An accepts donations of money and supplies.
(8736 7464, 138 0111 0878, pungfat@hotmail.com)
Prevention Through Education (PTE)
PTE promotes HIV/AIDS awareness and aims to reduce discrimination and stigmatization in China through education programs aimed at young people. There are numerous ways to get involved with the organization: Volunteers and interns can help with administration, research and web design among other tasks. If your spare time is limited, you can become a development partner and donate to the non-profit on a monthly basis. PTE often holds fundraising events links up with the Beijing Wine Club that are pleasur able ways to show compassion.
www.pte-china.org
Roots and Shoots
Founded by renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, Roots and Shoots operates “hands-on” volunteer programs in China and around the world that foster local environmental, humanitarian and animal protection activities. It is active in local international schools, many of which have Roots and Shoots programs that foster green thumbs and eco-friendly consciousnesses. Send an e-mail for information on the volunteer program. (volunteer@jgichina.org)
www.genyuya.org.cn/en/index.asp
Roundabout Charity Store
From Beijing to Tibet to Inner Mongolia, Roundabout reaches far and wide donating clothes to those in need. This organization accepts donations of clothing, home furnishings and just about everything (excluding old magazines, illegal DVDs, pet used items or used underwear). The charity is particularly in need of warm blankets, duvets and clothes for the cold weather. Some items are sold in the organization’s store (located in Shunyi) in order to cover running costs and transportation, so volunteers are always needed and for sorting items, administrative tasks and assessing charities that may receive donations.
More info here. Daily Mon–Sat 9.30am–6pm. Kaifa Jie, Houshayu (around the corner from ISB), Shunyi District. (137 1877 7761; thecharitystore@gmail.com) 北五环东路外开发街顺义区后沙峪开发街
The Rotary Club of Beijing
This worldwide association is composed of business and professional leaders who come together to promote high ethical standards and provide volunteer service to others in need though community service projects that address critical issues such as poverty, the environment and at-risk children. The Beijing chapter meets every Tuesday at the Kempinski Hotel. Visit the website to register and for more details.
www.rotaryclub-beijing.org
Rotaract Beijing
This non-profit is sponsored by the above organization and acts as the “youth” Club of Rotary, for men and women aged 18-30. Rotaract supports local charities and NGOs via volunteering, fundraising or professional training, allowing the organizations to reach their full potential. Held twice a month, meetings feature presentations by speakers on topics such as writing grant proposals and leadership skills. See the website for further info. www.rotaractbeijing.org
Click here for more info on River of Grace Church’s annual Hope in a Backpack campaign.
New Hope Foundation info here.
United Foundation for Children’s Health info here.
Donate to Greenpeace here.
United Foundation for Chinese Orphans (UFCO) info here.
Compassion for Migrant Children.
If you have an organization or charity you’d like to plug or promote, please feel free to add a comment below.
