It’s that time of the year again folks! When leaves start to change, we trade in our tank tops for sweaters, and men all over the world grow out their mustaches for a good cause. That’s right, it’s Movember! Or as it’s more commonly known here in Beijing, Maovember; a playful little portmanteau that combines the international title for the fundraising effort and the ‘mao,’ a coin worth one-tenth of the yuan.
The idea behind calling this month-long event Maovember is not only to work a little Beijing flavor into the mix, but rather to suggest that even the smallest donations can add up to big results. Put another way, enough small change equals pretty big change.
This year, the volunteers behind Maovember have teamed up with The Library Project, an organization that, since its founding in 2006, has furnished more than 2,000 libraries with books, tables, chairs, and shelves. Maovember is dedicated to working with groups that display the utmost transparency so that participants can see tangible results from the work they do and the money they raise. Last year, this resulted in a delivery van and baking equipment being donated to Bread of Life, an organization that employs orphans who suffer from brittle bone disease.
Although the festivities will be raging — and the funds a’ raising — all month long, Maovember officially kicks off this Friday, Nov 1 with a launch party at Hulu in Sanlitun (S4-32, Taikoo Li South, Sanlitun, Chaoyang). Beginning at 6.30pm, folks are invited to the “Terrace Party,” where for RMB 150, they’ll get one hot drink or wine, a 2019 Maovember pin, and snacks, with more drinks available throughout the night. Of course, all the money for this event will be going to The Library Project. What’s more, there’ll be games to round the whole thing out, with the chance to win boozy prizes to boot!
It would be great to start this celebration off strong, with a big turnout at Hulu, but if you can’t make it that evening, fear not. Maovember will be running all month long with a number of restaurants, bars, suppliers, and customers joining together for the good cause. Each event will feature food and drink deals, as well as fun activities such as beer or wine tastings, quiz nights, and sporty contests, with all proceeds going to The Library Project. There’s also plenty of other ways to support, such as purchasing an official Maovember pin (RMB 50), spreading the word on social media, or making a direct contribution to the The Library Project.
To RSVP for the Maovember-Hulu Terrace Party launch event, email nihao@maovember.com.
For more information about The Library Project, click here.
Photos: Pixabay, Maovember Organizers, The Library Project
