We're all proud of our kids, but we're especially proud when we see them take the initiative to do something to help other kids.  This page is dedicated to our Junior Fundraisers.  Want to participate?  Just send us a story about how your child raised funds for our projects and we'll post it here on this page.  Optional photos are welcome.  No specific children's' names or locations will be posted.

A Hugging Granny for Ganzhou

Kids at the Woodland Hill Montessori School raised enough funds to sponsor an Amity Hugging Granny at the Ganzhou orphanage for a year.

Cara took donations for this effort in lieu of birthday gifts this year.  Great work, kids!

This is a story about a group of lower elementary students who studied Asia and learned a life lesson of caring for the world and philanthropy.   

This past year, Cara, an elementary student at Woodland Hill Montessori School (WHMS) turned 8 and wanted to help an orphanage in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province hire a “Hugging Granny”.    That energy and passion transferred to Cara’s birthday celebration plans and in turn, helped raise enough money for the orphanage to hire a Hugging Granny for one year.  The children in her class were very excited and interested to hear about the orphanage and the babies who would benefit from their gift.   It was truly an invaluable lesson and experience. 

Above are some of the elementary children at WHMS in upstate New York who generously donated money to the Altrusa International of Longview-Kelso Foundation, Inc. in lieu of a birthday gift and helped Cara complete her wish to help the world and China. 

Birthday Party for Guixi

Mitchel H. decided to do something different for his 7th birthday this year.  In lieu of gifts, Mitchel asked his classmates to bring donations for the orphanage in Guixi.  His little sister, who  is from the orphanage, thinks she has the best big brother in the whole world!

Panda Cookies for Ji'an

The Ackermann-Kuper family and friends in the Chicago area thought up a creative and delicious way to raise $500 in orphanage aid for the Ji'An orphanage!

Everyone helped out.  A neighbor baked 500 panda-shaped cookies.

The families felt that their efforts went a long way in educating their community about the orphanages and the girls learned how wonderful a project like this can be.  We applaud the wonderful contribution that they've made!

Garage Sale Fundraiser

In a twist on the old lemonade-stand idea Tess (right) and her friend Alice (left), both age 8, turned their neighborhood garage sale into a fundraiser for the Nanchang orphanage.  

Selling homemade cupcakes, chips and drinks for a dollar each, they raised $145!

Neighbors and friends were touched by the effort.  As word spread, some even made a special trip to the sale so that they could buy a treat and make a contribution.  The girls learned a lot - how to measure ingredients for baking, how to make change, how to talk to people and how to do some good in the world.  

Tess and Alice were born 4 days apart in June of 1996.  They were adopted from the Nanchang orphanage in August of 1997 by their two families, who traveled together to China.  They have grown up together as friends and live within 3 miles of each other.  The money they raised will be used to equip a group home for older children in the Nanchang Social Welfare Institute.  Their efforts will help to create a home and family environment for other kids. 

Having a garage-sale fundraiser is a relatively painless way to raise money for the orphanages - except for baking and frosting 96 cupcakes.  We hope the idea spreads across the China adoption network. 

A Very Special Birthday

For Matthew’s 9th birthday, he chose to raise money for the Altrusa Foundation to help sick, orphaned children in China.  He decided that instead of receiving presents, he would collect donations.

Matthew learned as much as he could with the help of Mommy, the Internet and the library.  He then made a neat poster and a speech.  

When his guests came for his birthday, they brought Matthew some neat cards (many homemade) and inside the cards they had put donations for Altrusa orphanage projects.  Matthew gave a presentation to his guests and talked about his poster.  Everyone really enjoyed learning!  After cake and ice cream and when everyone was gone, Matthew opened all his cards and found that he raised $396.05 to help the kids in China!  Wow, that is a lot of money for being only 9 years old.  

Matthew commented that he really enjoyed his birthday celebration so much more this year.  He learned that there is greater joy in giving than in receiving.