The Chinese Club of Western New York received an outpouring of support on Saturday as local residents piled into Williamsville North high school for the club's 5.12 China Earthquake Fundraiser.

The six hour event included a silent auction, food, live performances, a car wash, and a donation station, and all proceeds from the fundraiser went towards relief efforts for the devastating effects of the now infamous earthquake that rocked China last month. The funds will be utilized for school rebuilding in the Sichuan province via the China Red Cross.

"We initiated a donation program on the second day after the earthquake, and we very quickly received many responses," commented Jeff Wang, President of Western New York's Chinese Club. "So far we have received more than $10,000 in cash donations, and we continue receiving more contributions from the broader community. This fundraiser is an extension of the donation program we created initially."

Wang remarked on the benevolence and cooperation the club has received from the greater community in their relief efforts. "Several community members have really reached out to help; we have received baskets from so many groups and organizations for our silent auction, and so many people have come and donated directly to our cause."

Attendees of the fundraiser expressed concern and generosity towards the disarray currently felt overseas. A humble display of pictures in the front corridor met guests as they entered, illustrating the loss and grief suffered by so many victims of the disaster.

Guests swapped stories and feelings over the recent events and bonded over the universality of sorrow and hope. Still, even with such a serious subject matter at the occasion's foundation, the reception was overwhelmingly positive, hopeful, and fun.

The auction area overflowed with beautiful Chinese inspired art, sculptures, garments, accessories, and an assortment of other treasures. Patrons enjoyed a delicious lunch display by the Peking Garden restaurant; tranquil music wafted through the air, permeating an endless clamor of voices, and scads of compassionate donors crowded the donation station to aid the worthy cause.

Yanxi Du, a senior at Williamsville North, sold custom made CDs at one of the many display areas in the auction showroom. "My friend is the flutist playing on the CD that we recorded. I play the violin and I was in a duet with her in one of the songs," she said of the beautiful music resonating from a nearby stereo.

"I wanted to do a fundraiser for the Chinese earthquake, so we decided to sell our CD here and donate all of our profits to them." Du remarked on the importance of humanitarian effort, "There are so many things that happen in the world that we need to help, but there is only so much we can do. I thought since I'm Chinese, this is pretty relevant to me."

Indeed, the tragedy overseas is one we can all relate to, and events like the WNY Chinese Club Fundraiser illustrate the indisputable connection and duties we all have as citizens of the world.

Amid the busy atmosphere of the event, Jeff Wang reflected "I feel very encouraged by all of the people here. To have such a huge turnout and such a great amount of donations, it's a real success."

The Chinese Club of Western New York has been in operation since 1952; to learn more about the club or contribute to the 5.12 Earthquake fundraising, go to their website at www.cc-wny.org.