A volunteer sells toys to tourists in east Beijing's Chaoyang Park on Sunday, September 5, 2010, in order to raise money for orphans suffering from illness and disabilities. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Xu Leiying]

A fund raising event was held Sunday in east Beijing's Chaoyang Park, aimed at helping orphans suffering from illness and disabilities such as cleft palates and congenital heart disease.

The event was jointly held by two Non-governmental volunteer organizations, Angel Mom and Journey 21, in order to raise money for 22 children who are waiting for medical operations.

Because of illness and disabilities, these children were abandoned by their parents and then sent to the organization of Angel Mom. Due to the lack of funding, these children are faced with many difficulties including interrupted medical treatment and a shortage of life necessities.

Several entertainment stars including South Korean actor Lee Seung Hyun and Chinese singer Zhang Yao attended the event to lend a hand while some artists donated their works for a charity auction held during the event.

More volunteers were busy working at several stalls surrounding the stage. Some of them sold toys and handicrafts to tourists in the park to raise money; some enrolled new volunteers and some introduced their work to more people in order to arouse public attention for charity projects.

Their efforts caused many people to take action, especially parents who brought their children to the park. Many of them encouraged their children to donate money for others in need.

Some institutes also came to show their support. The Beijing-based Sanbo Brain Institute, a hospital that specializes in surgical treatments of intracranial diseases, pledged to be a long-term partner with Angel Mom. The hospital will reduce medicals costs for children from the volunteer organization.

Since its foundation in 2007, Angel Mom has raised more than 1 million yuan and helped over 400 children. In 2008, the NGO won the most honorable government award in China's charity field, the "China Charity Award."

The other organizer, Journey 21, hopes to spread the message that if they get enough money for medical treatments, many of those orphans will be able to recover and be adopted. By regaining the warmth and support of a family, these children will have a totally different life in the future, Journey 21 said in a press release.

by Leiying