母亲节义卖：小志愿者用爱心传递温暖
This Sunday was a very special day — Mother’s Day. For our young volunteers, showing appreciation for their mothers goes beyond just one day. Through handmade Mother’s Day cards and flower gift sets, they shared love and gratitude with community residents while also raising funds to support future events organized by the Chinese Parents Association.
Although the weather on Saturday was unpredictable, the young volunteers arrived early at the fundraising site with the guidance of organizers and parents. They worked together to set up tables, organize flowers and cards, place signs, and prepare for the event. Soon, the Mother’s Day gift packages were neatly displayed on the tables. Each package included a fresh rose and a beautiful handmade card created by the children themselves.
At 10 a.m., the fundraiser officially began. The children transformed into enthusiastic little salespeople, warmly introducing the purpose of the event to community members. After a short warm-up period, the volunteers quickly became more organized and confident. One by one, they approached cars waiting at the traffic light, politely explaining the fundraiser and sharing the meaning behind the project. Seeing the children’s sincere smiles and enthusiasm, many residents were touched and gladly purchased gift packages. Some people even made generous donations without taking a gift set. Before the rain arrived, the children worked tirelessly for two hours and achieved wonderful results.
Early Sunday morning, the fundraiser continued. Different from Saturday, we also partnered with Initially Shop that day. They brought cards and canvas bags featuring artwork created by young artists, including artists with special needs. Although many people had already prepared Mother’s Day gifts, the children did not give up. They continued running back and forth, introducing the products and making sales with great determination. By the end of the event, all the flowers had sold out, half of the gift cards were sold, and the children also helped the charity organization sell canvas bags featuring artwork created by special-needs young artists.
This Mother’s Day fundraiser has now entered its third year. What began as a small trial effort to raise funds for activities hosted by the Chinese Parents Association within the school district has gradually grown into a well-organized annual event, from product selection to event coordination. More importantly, the children participating in the fundraiser have gained confidence and valuable life experience. They have grown from shy and hesitant participants into poised and confident young volunteers, constantly surprising us with their growth.
This year’s fundraiser sales increased by more than 50% compared to last year. More than just a successful fundraising event, it was also a meaningful experience filled with kindness, responsibility, and community spirit.
本周日是一个非常特别的日子——母亲节。对于我们的小志愿者们来说，表达对妈妈的感谢不仅限于这一天。他们还用自己亲手制作的母亲节卡片，为社区居民送上节日祝福，并通过义卖为中国家长协会筹集更多活动基金。
尽管周六天气阴晴不定，在组织者和家长们的带领下，小志愿者们早早来到义卖地点，开始布置展台、分装鲜花和卡片、安插广告牌，为活动做好准备。很快，一个个母亲节礼包整齐地摆放在桌上。每份礼包里，都有孩子们亲手制作的精美卡片和鲜嫩的玫瑰花。
上午10点，义卖正式开始。小志愿者们化身“小小销售员”，热情地向社区居民介绍活动的意义。经过短暂的热身后，孩子们越来越自信、有序。他们一人负责一辆车，清楚大方地向车主们介绍母亲节礼包。看到孩子们真诚又热情的笑脸，许多居民深受感动，纷纷购买礼包，也有人不需要礼物，却慷慨捐款。在下雨前，小朋友们坚持奋战了两个小时，收获满满。
周日一大早，义卖活动继续进行。与周六不同的是，这一天我们还与Initially Shop合作。他们带来了由儿童艺术家以及特殊需求青年艺术家的作品制作而成的卡片和帆布包。虽然许多人已经提前准备好了母亲节礼物，小志愿者们依然没有气馁，继续坚持奔走、介绍和销售。最终，鲜花很快售罄，礼品卡也售出了一半，孩子们还帮助慈善组织销售了由特殊小朋友画作制作的帆布包。
母亲节义卖活动已经举办到第三年。从最初的尝试，到如今从选品、组织到现场安排都更加成熟有序，这项活动见证了孩子们的成长。参加活动的小志愿者们从一开始的害羞腼腆，到现在的落落大方、自信镇定，带给我们太多惊喜。
本次母亲节义卖的销售额比去年增长超过50%。这不仅是一场成功的筹款活动，更是一次充满爱心、责任感与社区温度的成长体验。
