Lunar New Year Fundraiser
As the Year of the Ox (Tet Tan Suu) fast approaching, we’re hosting an online fundraiser to help support small businesses and residents of Chinatown in New York City. The pandemic has devastated small businesses and families with little help in sight. Chinatown was one of the first to feel the impact back in February 2020. As the federal government comes to the rescue, part of Chinatown is still shut out from that help.
We didn’t think this pandemic would last long because we live in one of the greatest and wealthiest nations after all. But here we are. Almost one year later. People still wonder how they’d be able to put food on the table, so we’re doing something to put a little bit of love and care into the world.
How does this work?
The fundraiser runs from February 1st, 2021 through February 21st, 2021 and includes all current prints on our online shop.
All proceeds (after fees) will be donated to the three organizations listed below. We’re hoping to donate $888 (8 is a lucky number) to each place.
Which prints are included in this effort?
All prints from the Lunar New Year series, Life in Elevation series, and all of the new illustrations.
We’ll also donate our January’s proceeds.
The meaning behind the Lunar New Year series
The Lunar New Year series includes two illustrations: The Dragon Dance and The Lion Dance. It’s a custom that originated from Ancient China and followed Chinese settlers who moved and lived in Vietnam. Over the years, it has become a part of life and is often performed during Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, or any formal and important business occasions.
The traditional dance includes dragon, lion, and unicorn. These mythical animals symbolize prosperity, happiness, good luck, and peace (basically all the good things in life).
The Lion Dance also depicts Ong Dia, which symbolizes Phat Di Lac - Maitreya Buddha/Happy Buddha who is constantly happy and smiley. Old tales say that the Happy Buddha was able to transform the lion from a monstrous figure into a well-behaved and good-natured animal. The pair’s relationship symbolizes the harmony between humans and animals in a peaceful and festive environment. It also means goodness always wins over the evil force.
The organizations
Heart of Dinner because they’ve been delivering hot meals, fresh produce, and bulk ingredients (while also supporting local businesses) to more than 1,500 elders in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens since COVID-19 started.
Think!Chinatown, a non-profit based in Manhattan’s Chinatown that has been working to shape better policies and programs that define Chinatown through neighborhood engagement, storytelling, and arts.
Send Chinatown Love because they’re working to provide an online platform for low-tech, Asian-owned small businesses through different initiatives.
Additional prints
The prints below and all prints in the shop are included in this fundraiser.
Why Chinatown?
Because this neighborhood means a lot to both of us. Seven years ago when we first moved to NY, Chinatown was one of a few places where we could eat well and afford groceries on a $24K salary. The neighborhood helped us survive through some of the most challenging years of our adulthood. And it eases our constant homesickness. Even at its ugliest and smelliest, Chinatown feels a lot like home. Plus, Chinatown was one of the neighborhoods that got hit the earliest and hardest during COVID-19.
So here we are. Doing what we can do to alleviate the burden on a place that means so much to us. We’re also little nobodies on the internet, so this may not reach many. However, if you like the works, please share.
We appreciate you.
Duy and Thao.