2003/12/13
BY DOUGLAS HABECKER
TAICHUNG, AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ˇ@ˇ@The
American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Taichung is currently
working with a broad range of government organizations, local
and foreign businesses, associations and individuals to organize
a very special Christmas event, the KIDZ Christmas Party, taking
place on Saturday, December 13, 2003.
ˇ@ˇ@This unprecedented event aims to provide some of the
city's youngest and most needy residents with some special love
and care at Christmas time. Traditionally, Christmas is a joyful
time of celebration and anticipation for children, as they experience
the love of their families. Unfortunately, a large number of
children in Taichung are less fortunate, with over 1,000 living
in orphanages and hundreds more in assisted care homes for those
with physical and mental disabilities.
ˇ@ˇ@This Christmas, it is the goal of AmCham Taichung to allow
these needy children to experience all the joy of Christmas,
by surrounding them with hundreds of warm, giving hearts and
big smiles. On the afternoon and evening of December 13, along
Taichung's Da Lung Shopping Road, these children will be provided
with a special program that includes a dinner, live Christmas
music, special performances, appearances by Santa Claus, Christmas
presents, games and other fun activities. Over a 1,000 children
living at the city's private and government orphanages--such
as the Taichung Central Region Children's Home and the Taichung
Christian Herald Children's HomeˇXwill bused to the controlled-access
location for the festivities, which start at 1 p.m. and conclude
at 8 p.m.
ˇ@ˇ@AmCham is in the process of soliciting sponsors, contributors
and volunteers for this worthy event. Significant cooperation
and assistance is being provided by Mayor Jason Hu and the Taichung
city government, which is helping with arrangements like transportation
and the participation of famous local personalities. Support
has already been pledged from a diversity of local and foreign
businesses and organizations, including Boeing Corp.,
ˇ@ˇ@BP-Capco, Emerson Tools, Jen-Ai Hospital - Dali, McGill International,
Nestle Corp., Sunway Electronics, and Taiwan Broadband Communications
(CCTV). Media outlets, including all three English newspapers,
ICRT (which is helping to solicit support) and CNN's Mike Chinoy,
have also expressed strong interest in promoting and covering
this event.
ˇ@ˇ@AmCham is also welcoming volunteers to help with various aspects
of the event, from food preparation/organization to simply being
present to provide smiles and care for the children. Organizers
also welcome participation through much-needed cash contributions,
which will be used to cover costs of food, presents and other
expenses in this non-profit activity.
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