By now, Bethel needs little introduction to readers of this blog. We’ve featured them in a previous post and gotten a first-hand account of what it’s like to work there from two young volunteers. This winter, the organization is expanding its efforts to help blind and visually impaired orphans with the opening of a new charity store in Shunyi. On December 4, get into the festive spirit by attending Christmas with Bethel, a (fun)draising event for the entire family.

This fun-filled afternoon is part performance, part social event, with games and activities for the entire family. The kids of Bethel will display their talents in song, dance, art, music, and poetry. Attendees can sing along to Christmas favorites with the Bethel choir. All proceeds will go straight to the charity.

RMB 250, RMB 100 (kids). 4-6pm. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Beijing, 168 Guanganmen Wailu, Xicheng District (zach@bethelchina.org)

The Bethel China Foundation, a charity that runs the Bethel Foster Home for blind orphans, is opening a store in Shunyi that will give 100% of its proceeds to the foundation. 

The store aims to turn the impression of charity stores selling "low quality cheap stuff where people have to give sacrificially for a good cause" (which, the organizers, emphasize, does not imply anything about other Beijing charity stores) on its head by selling "quality" items, including jewelry, hand-knit pieces and hand-made scarves, produced by businesses and individuals who can either donate all of the proceeds or keep 60 percent of the profits from any sold items.

A soft opening for the Bethel Shop will take place from 10am-4pm on Saturday, December 3rd – if you are interested in participating, call 13401046717 or e-mail jiyong77@gmail.com. 

Click here for more information and directions to the store. For more information on how to help the Bethel China Foundation click here and here.

Click here for information on the Roundabout Charity store, also in Shunyi, which is currently looking for a new location.