Welcome! We will continue with our fourth year of spreading the generosity of Jia-Xin to more children and families in Taiwan, including Hsinchu, Taoyuan, Taipei, Taitung, and Orchid Island. We need approximately 175,000 NTD / $5,400 USD for this to become a reality – that works out to about 1000 NTD/$30 USD per child and 5000NTD / $200 USD for each family to have basic household necessities like food and warm blankets. Please keep reading for details!

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Who is Santa Jia-Xin?

SANTA JIAXIN is a generous warmhearted little girl who was adopted from Taiwan and is now living in Canada. By a “chance” email back in November 2012 JiaXin’s father contacted me and asked me to fulfill a wish for his then little 6 year old girl. Believing she never celebrated the holidays when she was in Taiwan, she wanted to be able to provide gifts to those who would benefit the most from a little warmth during the festive season. For the past three years we were able to fulfill her wish via delivery of needed items (food, blankets, jackets) and gifts to the children.

In addition to picking up gifts that people donate, locations such as ChingChuan (2.5 hours each way) are quite far so a sizeable chunk of our funds are directed towards transportation. We require at least 2-3 cars filled up with sacks of rice, noodles, blankets, and other necessities for the families. We then go back at a later date for another session for a workshop with kids so that they understand the holidays are about spending time together, not just receiving gifts.

This year we have been invited to Orchid Island which an island located off the southeast of the country. The transport by car through mountainous terrain one way is approximately 6.5 hours in addition to a 3 + hour ferry ride. We know that when Jia-Xin dreamed of sharing her warmth for Taiwan, she meant all of Taiwan. We hope and know that this will not hinder us so need your help by December 15th!

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2013 CHRISTMAS TREE (MUHSIANG CHILDREN’S HOME)

JIA-XIN VIDEO

2012 – ChingChuan / 5 Families

2013 – ChingChuan 8 Families / Taoyuan Muhsiang / Harmony Home

2014 ChingChuan 10 Families / Muhsiang Children’s Home / Harmony Home

Three years of Love

We’ve always had excellent support from the community. We firmly believe that holidays is not about material items but also about spending time together. Thus a hefty portion of our budget are funnelled to workshops (45% plus transportation).

In 2012 we created vegan cupcake workshop to spend time with the kids. In 2013 we decorated vegan gingerbread cookies and made ornaments. Most recently in 2014 we had chocolate and caramel apple lollipops in addition to adding tie-dye workshops to add an extra splash of color during these chilly winter months. A ‘forest’ of thank you trees were forged from nature and clay. 2014 With strategic planning and community outpouring of generosity, in our second and third year we have also included bringing the holiday cheer to Harmony Home and MuHsiang Children’s Home. Since we return to the community, has been so amazing each year to watch the children grow.

This is our year end staple celebration and we look forward to it each time! For three years, we’ve had such wonderful support from the local communities, especially in ChingChuan. LaLing Yumin, a local community organizer, Principal Chen (陳聖源) and Principal Su (蘇美娟) from the TaoShan Elementary School, and Father Barry plus Hanna from the Catholic Church. We can always count on our wonderful gaggle of Big Friends to make the meaningful trip to the beautiful mountains. Because we open up the workshops to the public and also take gift items from individuals, hundreds of people get involved each year. This might not be the most efficient way but we believe in community. For that to happen again this year, especially since we are making our way to the East Coast, we need your help.

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DONATION INFORMATION

Will you join us to bring warmth and smiles to the children in our fourth year?

Winter Solstice 2015

We will continue with our fourth year of spreading the generosity of Jia-Xin to more children and families in Taiwan. This year, under invitation we have selected to expand to Orchid Island will also stop over in Taitung. In workshops featuring fresh plant-based food and hot cocoa, kids will be empowered to create gifts for themselves and others.

Purpose: Share and spread the warmth and generosity of Jia-Xin through year end activities and shared plant-based meals.
Theme: focused on togetherness, giving gratitude. For our social awareness issue we will focus on the environment. Campaign Period: 2015 11/14-2016 1/9
Location: Taitung, Orchid Island, Harmony Home (Taipei), Muhsiang Children’s Home (Taoyuan), ChingChuan (Hsinchu)
Target: Children and families who would benefit most from gift & necessities drive and activities.
Number of families: 12
Number of children in gift creating workshops: 100
Age range in workshops: 3 – 18

2015 Activities

We have put our heads together visualising a common workshop tying everyone together and also simultaneously raising environmental consciousness. We will upcycle clothes and fabric to create crafts together, weaving stories, experiences, and gratitude.

  • Local volunteers will be invited to participate in Taitung and Orchid Island
  • All workshops will include plant-based meals to share.

**Orchid Island which has specifically requested the construction of a story-tall Christmas tree **Orchid Island will provide a cultural training session for Big Friends **ChingChuan will participate in the fourth annual Santa Jia-Xin Gift & Necessities Drive Funding will go towards workshop materials, fresh plant-based meals, transportation, teacher, photography fees. A large portion will also be dedicated to providing necessities to families that will benefit the most. Remainder of funds will continue to go towards Bright Side Projects long term commitment in these communities.

TaiTung / ShinMa Tribe

Date:11/14-16
Teacher:James Teng, Ichi Lin
Children: Approximately 15 children, ages 7-13.
Majority from the local indigenous tribe.

Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1698776753742068/
Registration: https://goo.gl/okvJ7V

Taoyuan - MuHsiang Children's Home

Date:12/5
Teacher:Snow Tsao
Children: Approximately 20-25 children, ages 7-18.
MuHsiang Children’s Home targets children who have been affected by domestic abuse.

More: https://brightside.tw/2015-125-taoyuan/
Registration: https://goo.gl/6D0B2n

Hsinchu / ChingChuan Gifting

Date: 12/13
Santa Jia-Xin’s Reindeer Delivery Team: Daisy Lin, Starry Cheng, Rufen Cheng, TBC
Hope to achieve delivering gift and necessities to 12 families.
Delivery will be to each home while we drop off the children along with Principal of TaoShan Elementary School and teachers.

Orchid Island / Lan En Cultural

Date:11/16-22
Teacher: James Teng, Snow Tsao, Peter Hsieh
Children: Approximately 30-35 children, ages 2-18.

Two workshops and tree construction, majority from the indigenous Tao tribe.
Process of tree creation: https://wp.me/p6AHdc-1xn

Registration: goo.gl/Lj8eFI

Taipei Harmony Home

Date:12/7
Teacher: Snow Tsao
Children: Approximately 10, ages 2-15.
Harmony Home provides assistance for those affected by or living with HIV/AIDs.

More: https://brightside.tw/2015-127-jia-xins-harmony-home-winter-solstice
Registration: https://goo.gl/pQDrjt

Hsinchu / ChingChuan

Date: 2015 1/9
Teacher: TBC
Children: Approximately 15-20, ages 5-14.
Majority from the indigenous Atayal tribe.

Registration: https://goo.gl/qlomvN

贊助者

  1. —- October 26th 2015 —- $1,118 USD / 35,080 台幣
    1. Jeremy & Tracie Rosenberg – $150 USD / 4,900 台幣
    2. Native Footwear (Jet Sunny) – $100 USD / 3,200 台幣
    3. Robbie Cheng (Kaye Yuan) – $150 USD / 5,000 台幣
    4. Yuting Hung – $500 USD / 16,100 台幣
    5. Anonymous (J.) – $200 USD / 6,300 台幣
    6. Sarah McDonald – $18 USD / 580 台幣


    —- November 1st 2015 —– $870 USD / 28,118 台幣
    7. Ann Lin – $60 USD / 2,000 台幣
    8. Mimi Yang – $15 USD / 480 台幣
    9. Lulu Chandler – $300 USD / 9,600 台幣
    10. Evance Chan – $60 USD / 2,000 台幣
    11. S.M. Kindersley – $22 USD / 718 台幣
    12. Alicia Gilby – $18 USD / 580 台幣
    13. Steve Rosenberg – $360 USD / 11,600 台幣
    14. China Sieger – $35 USD / 1140 台幣
    —- November 3rd —- $1052 USD / 34,400 台幣
    15. Zaida Lou Stillman – $26 USD / 800台幣
    16. Jeff Yang – $30 USD / 1,000台幣
    17. Derek Chu – $60 USD / 2,000 台幣
    18. Janet Lin – $610 USD / 20,000台幣
    19. Sharon and Bruce Ramsay Curtis – $73 USD / 2,300台幣
    20. Grammy & Grampy – $73 USD / 2,300台幣
    21. Julia Gu – $150 USD / 5,000台幣
    22. 吳倩瑩 – $30 USD / 1,000台幣

Fundraising Counter – Goal 175,000 NTD / $5,400 USD

  • December 15th 2015 Deadline / Updated Weekly inclusive of Youcaring Funds 100% 100%

Screen Shot 2015-10-19 at 2.47.08 PMEstimated Expenditure:

  • $33,000 NTD / $1,050 USD for 6 Gift & Tree Creation Workshops
  • $72,000 NTD / $2,250 USD for food & necessities for 12 Families
  • $23,000 NTD / $720 USD Plant-based meals for 6 Workshops
  • $39,500 NTD / $1,200 USD for Transportation
  • $11,500 NTD / $350 USD for Logistics

 

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BANK TRANSFER

Bank Name: Fubon Bank
Bank Code
: 012
Account: 4901 0202 2421
Swift Code: TPBKTWTP
Bank Address: 389 RenAi Road, Section 4. Taipei City, DaAn District
A/C Name: 社團法人臺灣嚮光協會

Email brightside.tw@gmail.com, title: FOR JIAXIN, when you fund us and advise on the amount and last 5 digits of transferring bank account or your PayPal transfer

Only for Taiwan: if you need a tax deductible receipt please include either your name (Surname/First) or Company name, phone number, mailing address, and your ID or company number. More details here.

  1. —- November 11th —- $1,050 USD / 34,500 台幣
    23. Søren Glasius – $36 USD / 1170 台幣
    24. Ou Li – $20 USD / 650 台幣
    25. Anonymous (J. Lin) – $610 USD / 20,000台幣
    26. Marc Pauze – $18 USD / 560 台幣
    27. Kim Liao – $60 USD / 2,000 台幣
    28. 郭佳柔 – $90 USD / 3,000 台幣
    29. Laura Bryer – $18 USD / 560 台幣
    30. Dedra Chamberlin – $18 USD / 560 台幣
    31. Tina Chen – $90 USD / 3,000 台幣
    32. Kelly Lin – $90 USD / 3,000 台幣
    —- November 18th Update —- $326 USD / 10,500 台幣
    33. 陳韋廷 – $60 USD / 2,000 台幣
    34. Anon 39059 永豐 – – $30 USD / 1,000台幣
    35. Anon 07328 中信銀 – $90 USD / 3,000 台幣
    36. Scott and Megan MacDonald – $18 USD / 560 台幣
    37. Rhonda Gilby – $73 USD / 2,300台幣
    38. Liza Milne – $30 USD / 1,000台幣
    39. Kristina Kraft – $25 USD / 640 台幣

  1. —- December 1st —- $700 USD / 22,490 台幣
    40. Anonymous (A.M) $30 USD / 1,000台幣
    41. Amber Wheatley – $18 USD / 560 台幣
    42. Anonymous – 00100035 $27 USD / 900 台幣
    43. Absolutely Fabulashes – $300 USD / 9,600 台幣
    44. Jessalyn Coombe – $29 USD / 940 台幣
    45. Paul Tenk- $54 USD / 1,700 台幣
    46. Terry & Guylaine Furness – $14 USD / 450 台幣
    47. Sam Green
    48. Rowan Green
    49. Oliver Green
    50. Jonathan and Gemma Green
    51. Anonymous
    52. Karen Munro – $18 USD / 560 台幣
    53. Jeff, Janet & Baby Morgan Robinson – $55 USD /1,780 台幣
    ($155 USD / 5000 台幣)
    —- December 2nd —- $5116 USD /165,088 台幣 = 94%

    54. Sabrina Sutherland – $9 USD / 300 台幣
    55. Summer Lin 林有慧 – $300 USD /10,000 台幣

    —- December 15th —- $5425 USD /175,388 台幣 = 100%

Toys for Taiwan $1050 USD (33,000 NTD) / 5 Locations / 100 Children

We will upcycle clothes and fabric so children can create toys together, weaving stories, experiences, and express gratitude. This is in addition to the Gift & Necessities Drive for families and children as we hope those who participate as recipients in the drive can also feel that the holidays are about spending time together over a cup of hot cocoa and not simply about receiving gifts. Like last year we will introduce several local NGOs and children will be able to vote on who they want to donate $1000 NT towards to pass the love on. For Orchid Island, we will be constructing a Christmas tree out of recycled (beautified) items with children and the residents. This is a gift that is created by and enjoyed by everyone in the community.

Food for Taiwan $720 USD (23,000NTD) / 6 Workshops / 100 Children

Workshops are generally a full day so we must provide hot nutritious food for children, which we are more than happy to do. Plant-based creations are made along with light snacks and a cup of hot cocoa. Kids will also have a hand in making their own vegan sweets such as mug cakes or peanut butter cups. Shorter workshops (Harmony Home) will sample or make their own delicious holiday themed snacks, such as gingerbread people or caramel apple slices.

Gifts & Necessities Delivery for Taiwanese Families $2,250 USD (72,000 NTD) / 12 Families

Families and children that are part of the yearly gift & necessities drive will obtain much needed items for their household in addition to the creation workshop session in January. For each family we estimate a cost of approximatley $200 USD (5,000-6,000NTD), this has included items such as organic local foods, fresh fruits, blankets, warm clothes, shoes, and a small gift for children.

  • Delivery is to individual families as we work with TaoShan Elementary School and the local church for the recipient list.
  • Approximately 60-70% of the budget will be purchasing non-perishable plant-based foods
  • Last year we worked with Buy Directly From Farmers直接跟農夫買社 and this year will outreach to more local farmers and vegan business from Bow to Land Farmer’s Market and iVegan
  • This year we are sourcing local organic rice from YuanLi farmers from 苑裡掀海風 and fresh made and jarred items from local vegan stores

 

Santa Jia-Xin’s Reindeer Delivery $1,200 USD (39,500 NTD) / Taitung, Orchid Island, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu

People like the idea of convenience – but getting items to where those who may benefit from the resources is not always about that. Our core group is based in Taipei and we have on-site locals in each of the locations. But with many of our talents and resources prepped at our base, we need to sort and get them out.

From Taipei to–>

Taoyuan: by public transport 2 hours each way / by personal vehicle 45 minutes each way
ChingChuan: by public transport 4 hours each way / by personal vehicle 2.5 hours each way
Taitung: by public transport 4.5 hours each way / by personal vehicle 7 hours each way
Orchid Island: by public transport 9 hours each way / by personal transport 12 hours each way (ferry is 3.5 hours, flight is 20 minutes)

Just for Orchid Island the cost for the ferry is approximately $72 USD, airfare $90 USD. For team of six costs approximately $500. Driving down will be about $155 per vehicle with gasoline and tolls – but split into two cars as we also pack equipment and different time schedules. In addition there are 1-2 people who will take the train down. Some team members will pay their own fare over while the core of teachers and those constructing the tree we will have to cover. They are taking 10 days off work and will be receiving no pay for their participation in this event.

If we add in the drives out to Taoyuan and twice to ChingChuan with 2-3 cars each time gasoline and toll fees, logistics of purchasing and gathering items before the event, $1,200 is a very conservative budget that might not cover what we need to the full extent but we would really appreciate your support on this.

 

Santa Jia-Xin’s Elves

Our core group that will be heading to the locations include James Teng, Snow Tsao, Peter Hsieh, Ichi Lin, Rufen Cheng, Starry Yoyo Cheng, Ken Wang, Rhea Chou, Jonathan Burke, and Daisy Lin. In each location we hope to open up workshops to local community and will conduct a BSP Training session beforehand. Public registration to the events will be available for all locations – keep posted and join us now!

 

Will you join our journey so Jia-Xin’s dream can come true? If you have any further questions, please contact us at brightside.tw@gmail.com. You can also find us and keep updated on the latest Jiaxin activities on Facebook #toysfortaiwan

Toys for Taiwan: https://toysfortaiwan.org and https://fb.me/toysfortaiwan
Bright Side Projects: https://fb.me/brightside.tw

Thank you for your generosity and love for the children of Taiwan!

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