By Elizabeth Barrett
The American Ball on May 28 brought the community together in a way only AmCham China can – with a dazzling event, all for a good cause. Guests received the red-carpet treatment at the Winter Garden of INDIGO for a second year, raising RMB 300,000 through sponsorships, auctions and raffles.
The charities benefiting from the event were chosen by the evening’s platinum sponsors. In a sign of continued member support, the NBA and ConocoPhillips repeated their platinum sponsorships of last year. The NBA donated to the Yao Ming Foundation, a specialized fund established in 2008 with the goal of promoting all-around development of Chinese youth by providing them the opportunities to improve their education, sports skills, health and self-esteem. ConocoPhillips chose The Love & Hope Project, which was developed by the China Association of Social Workers and the TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital of Tianjin to fund heart surgery for young children, specifically orphans and those from disadvantaged families.
Beijing United Family Hospital was this year’s third platinum sponsor, donating RMB 100,000 to the United Foundation for China’s Health, a group that develops programs for access to innovative healthcare for vulnerable populations: Chinese orphans, poor children with congenital medical defects, abused women, migrant workers and the disabled.
AmCham China also selected a worthy cause to donate to: the 100,000 Strong Foundation, its strategic partner. The DC-based nonprofit’s mission is to strengthen US-China relations through Mandarin language learning and study-abroad opportunities for deserving American students.
The chamber has hosted a charity ball annually since 2003. Over the years, the event has raised more than RMB 8.5 million for more than 20 charities.
Elizabeth Barrett is an Events Coordinator at AmCham China.
