Share the Warmth!

As Chinese New Year approaches, I'm sure you are just as excited as I am about the coming family reunions and delicious festive foods. But while we spend quality time with our loved ones, all of us wearing warm winter clothes and counting our blessings, we must not forget about those who are less fortunate.

In Qinghai, many impoverished families live in dilapidated houses with no central heating - yet the temperate could fall as low as -20C. Many of these people cannot afford basic essential winter clothing. Every year. the lack of winter clothes and no way to keep warm, there are cold-related injuries and deaths, particularly among the elderly and the very poor. Many schools in Qinghai don't have heating systems - without winter clothing or a warm place to study, students stop going to school in winter.

To help the elderly and children living in below-freezing temperatures, we have distributed gloves, scarves and hats for the elderly residents at Tongren Aged Home. We also held a Chinese New Year event, `Hand in Hand, Heart to Heart'' with Qinghai charity hospital and gave sweaters to the children who are undergoing rehabilitation.

A child in rehab is excited with
new, warm clothes!

I cannot bear to imagine an elderly person struggling to fall asleep because of freezing cold and painful feet, or children suffering headaches due to the extreme cold. It is comforting to know that our small actions of giving are making a positive change in the lives of people who depend on our help. It is easy for us to take winter clothing for granted, but our donations really do make a world of difference for those who own nothing.

It is with your support that we can help give winter clothing to those who really need it.

As we gather with our families this Chinese New Year and give away or receive red packets, let's not overlook those who don't have loved ones with whom they can celebrate the season - and don't even have winter clothes to help them endure the harsh winter. Why not donate your red packet money to help those who really need it - together we can share the warmth in our hearts and help the less fortunate.

Happy Chinese New Year!