Christmas gift

Students of Beijing Bainian Vocational School (BNVS) celebrate Christmas Eve at a charity gala held at Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing.

The hotel was the first-ever in Beijing to host a Christmas fund-raising event, which about 1,000 people attended. More than 4 million yuan was raised through auctions and donations.

All proceeds are to be donated to the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) for allocation to BNVS.

CYDF is a non-profit organization that administers Project Hope, which supports education for poverty-stricken students. As part of the program, BNVS provides free schooling to Beijing's youths from migrant worker and low-income families.

The event was supported by major corporations and the general public since its organization began last November, with all tickets sold out in advance of the event, according to George Yang, general manager of Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing.

"We are very moved by the support shown by individuals and corporations, and wish to thank them all, including those who purchased tickets. It was very inspiring to work together with all those who care for BNVS students," Yang says. "We hope that more and more children will realize their dreams."

(China Daily 01/05/2008 page8)