Biggest Maovember Event Aims to Fund Library Project, GoodWorks
It's not October yet but the proverbial stubble is already starting to grow for Maovember, the Beijing-based, month-long charity event that aims to raise money via a full schedule of events at local bars (not to mention a lip full of facial hair, of course, for the participants).
Spearheaded by Jim Boyce of BeijingBoyce.com and GrapeWallofChina.com fame, the event has grown bushier and bushier each year, both in terms of venue particpation and money raised. “Maovember’s a good cause because it believes in the power of the community and the idea that many small donations can lead to big results,” Boyce says, adding that its other key attribute is transparency, allowing people to see how much money was raised at each event and how it will be used by checking the event's website (maovember.com). Boyce cited examples like donations to furnish a migrant children school’s library for RMB 22,000 in 2013, or funds to cataract surgeries for the rural poor for RMB 800 per operation in 2014 and 15. He adds: “We want people to know how the money was raised and how it was used.”
Zach Lewison, another Maovember organizer and committee member, tells the Beijinger that the event is "a fun way for us to give back to China and Beijing. By putting on fun events we forgo the stuffy dinners and fancy fundraisers, and do things people love like beer pong and cornhole and quizzes. And when it's all said and done, we raise money and see the results. It's something that is very special to me and everyone involved."
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On another note, The Beijinger's 2016 Pizza Cup and Festival is just around the corner. The celebration kicked off last week with Pies for the People. Get special deals from various pizza parlors around town. Click here for more details.
In addition, tickets are now on sale for our October 15-16 Pizza Fest at the Zaha Hadid-designed Wangjing SOHO. Tickets are limited so buy ahead to make sure you don't miss out! Click here to purchase.