Quake toll reaches 62,664

358,816 injured;

23,775 missing

Maggie Tang, Wang Yuanyuan

    SOME 150 expatriates attended the Shenzhen Daily “Yes We Care” charity party Saturday, showing their sympathy and support for the earthquake-affected areas in Sichuan, despite the fact that many of them had made contributions in various ways after the disaster occurred May 12.

    The two-hour fundraiser, sponsored by Sheraton Shenzhen in Futian District, collected a total of 38,900 yuan (US$5,557) and US$5,000. Of the sum, 36,700 yuan was raised at Saturday’s event through ticket selling, on-site donations, charity auction and charity sales.

    The US$5,000 donation from American Jerry Lee Smith is in the process of bank transfer and will reach the donation box soon.

    The remaining sums, 1,200 yuan from Romanian Sava Tomoiaga and 1,000 yuan from Frenchwoman Sophie Martineau, came in after the event was finished and will be later handed over to the Shenzhen Red Cross.

    The funds raised Saturday also included 350 yuan from Sheena Macrae, a Briton who adopted two daughters from China.

    After learning about the charity drive by the Shenzhen Daily, Macrae in London entrusted a friend in Shenzhen to come to the venue and donate, hoping that the money could provide some psychological help for her daughters.

    Apart from the event held at Sheraton Shenzhen on Saturday afternoon, The Terrace restaurant and bar in Shekou also held a charity party Saturday evening as a subvenue of the “Yes We Care” event, which raised 24,342 yuan and HK$560.

    The charity drive was initiated by the Shenzhen Daily at suggestions by its readers, who had called and written to the newspaper suggesting that it organize a charity event, according to Gu Xiaojin, editor-in-chief of the Shenzhen Daily.

    “Being the only local English daily newspaper, the Shenzhen Daily takes this as its responsibility,” said Gu when delivering a speech at Saturday’s fundraiser.

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    The event featured free performances by a number of foreigners in Shenzhen, many of whom, in addition to impressing the audiences with their outstanding performances, donated money to express their support. Most of the performers are professional artists and musicians, including prize-winning Polish pianist Olivia Skwara, talented Russian violinist Gleb Dontsov and his wife, violinist Mariana. All performances were well received by the audience.

    Two performances by children, four of the Diaz-Ambronas from Spain and the twins of the Padkis from India, were welcome with applause and laughter, adding more warmth to the event.

    Four items donated by two companies and an individual were auctioned, with the money added to the donation box.

 Yong Feng Yuan Industry Co., a luxury dinnerware manufacturer and one of the largest porcelain companies in China based in Guanlan in Bao’an District, donated two porcelain tea sets with a retail price of nearly 6,000 yuan.

Michael George, CEO of Yong Feng Yuan from Japan, and Stefan Siffrin, the company’s German technical director, came to the charity party in person to show the company’s support.

Kuang Liang, creative director of the Shenzhen-based Parotia Cultural Communications Co., hired a truck and delivered “CJ7,” a huge oil painting, to be auctioned at the venue. Xu Jie, a local calligrapher, purposely created a calligraphy work in the demanding running style as an auction item at the fundraiser.

    The Harmony musical instrument store provided the piano free of charge.

    Many other companies and individuals also donated a variety of items. These included an expensive annual membership card from the Waterfall Wellness and Spa Center of InterContinental Shenzhen, and room and buffet coupons from Shangri-La, Marco Polo Shenzhen, Holiday Inn Donghua Shenzhen, and Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Landmark Shenzhen. Little Jim's Chocolate Fudge donated their handmade chocolates and some red wines for the benefit event. The Spanish restaurant Tasca also donated a consumption voucher.    Many of those attending expressed their concern for the quake-affected areas and their willingness to contribute more to the needy people in Sichuan.

    Many of those attending expressed their willingness to contribute more to the needy people in Sichuan.

Leon Clark of the Back To Mars band which performed Saturday, said he understood how Chinese people felt during this difficult time.

"I understand the hurt and sadness. It's similar to those of Americans soon after 9/11. We are happy to do our bit by contributing to people in the quake-affected areas so that they can overcome their difficulties soon,"said Clark.