Prior to Spring Festival, AmCham-China sent out an e-mail to our members telling them how to join in the effort to help those affected by the brutal storms that rocked southern China this winter. Elizabeth Knup, co-chair of AmCham-China’s CSR Forum, helped put the wheels in motion, and tons of other people helped along the way as well.

Many member companies had already started to respond before the notice went out, and others who had been looking for ways to get involved used the call as an impetus. Among the companies that made contributions to help out Chinese communities in need were Wal-Mart, who donated US$1,000,000 on February 5; O’Melveny & Myers LLP, who held a charity drive to raise funds; BP donated RMB1,000,000 in cash and kind including generously contributed much-needed goods like anti-freeze to help with clean-up efforts; and Caterpillar Foundation, which gave US$150,000 in addition to the heavy-duty equipped that they provided to help clear roads.

AmCham is extremely proud of the efforts that its member companies made, and the examples above are only a small part of the total impact that US businesses had.

If you did something to help out the Chinese community in its time of need AmCham members want to know. Please add your stories in the comments section of this post, and if you are still looking for ways to get involved, we have information here.

Half the Sky is working directly with MOCA to get immediate relief to orphanages in hard-hit areas of China affected by these year’s terrible snowstorms. American, Canadian and

Hong Kong companies can contribute to our efforts and also receive tax benefits. The outpouring of support for the children has been extraordinary but much more help is needed. More information on these pages - thank you!www.halfthesky.org/www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php
Posted by Jenny Bowen, executive director, Half the Sky Foundation

Anyone who has ever traveled during Spring Festival knows that even in the best of circumstances it is frustrating and difficult. Train tickets tend to sell out (often to hawkers who up the prices) and airports are crowded. Basically it’s like Thanksgiving in a country of nearly four times the population of the US.

This year’s blizzards have made a normally difficult situation nearly unbearable. Over at Managing the Dragon they do a good of conveying the problems the snows have caused for travel and potentially the economy, but for many Chinese the situation is more dangerous than simply making getting home tough. For people with not much money, living in places with rudimentary infrastructure, and often with no heat, this year’s blizzards have been nothing short of a disaster.

Hopefully you and your family are able to get out of town, if that’s where you are trying to head, or can stay warm if you are staying put. However, even if weather conditions are slowing you down or making you a little grumpy, please remember that AmCham members are fortunate to be a position where snow only inconveniences us, rather than putting us in severe peril.

If you would like to help out those in this country who are less fortunate than we are, please take a look at the list here of ways to donate.

Enjoy your holidays and stay safe and warm.