I am a foreigner who does not speak Chinese very well but the first year I did Giving Tree bags, I got one of my Chinese friend to support the program as well. Reluctantly, he agreed to do one bag only after I promised that I would do the shopping for his bag as well as for mine. After filling out his bag, I wrote his name and phone number on the back of the card attached to the bag and eventually the bag was given to a child.

About one week later, my Chinese friend got a phone call from a very emotional Chinese grand-mother who was calling to say thank you to my friend for the bag (which I had filled) and to tell him that the child's mother had passed away and that the family had never received any gifts. She was very grateful and, in tears, she was calling to say thank you in the name of her grand-daughter.

If this lady had received my Giving Tree bag and called me, I would not have understood what she was saying, but if my friend had filled out his own bag, he would not have written his phone number on the back of the card. My friend was so touched by that phone call that he has been sponsoring Giving Tree every year since then and this year (2009) he is doing 20 bags with his employees.

The second story that I personally witnessed is about this tall lanky 13 year old international student who came for the delivery of Giving Tree bags at a school for migrant children.  After the delivery was done, she insisted on meeting the child for whom she had personally shopped.  I took her to the principal of the school, she gave him the name of the child for whom she had shopped and together we went looking for that child. Eventually we found his classroom and he was called out.  All eyes were on him.  He was about 9 years old and had to be the skinniest and shyest boy of his class.  He approached us with a look of apprehension on his face.  And the tall, lanky 13 year old international student, with tears in her eyes, reached down and gave him a great big hug.  And the whole class applauded the boy. It was a sight to behold.

The third story is about Grant Bailey.   He made a surprising decision in order to raise funds for the Giving Tree.   Here is what he said in the email he sent to his friends and colleagues.

"As you are aware I have facial hair.   This has not been shaved off for approximately 25 - 30 years!   As a challenge I have decided to shave off my moustache and goatee for charity at the Park Tavern in Hengshan Rd ( opposite Xujiahui Park) next Friday night the 18th October.   The charity is called the Giving Tree.

I am calling on all my colleagues and friends to sponsor me by means of a cash donation on the night, for my colleagues, if you cannot make it on the night and you want to donate please give this to Lavender. 

I would like to see as many people at the pub to see me humiliate myself and support a good cause.   Come along and have a laugh."