Lighter Nguyễn Văn Hiếu’s reflections on the second Light One Saigon – Mini Light Day 21.6
REFLECTIONS ON TAKING PART IN THE LIGHT CHARITY MINI EVENT
We decided to immediately organize a Light Charity Saigon Mini Event at Tân Bình Industrial Park. So many surprising and interesting things happened that Thursday afternoon, 21.06!
Everything happened so quickly and urgently that fewer than 10 volunteers signed up over 2 days. Yet when it was time to gather, volunteers suddenly arrived in wave after wave. In total, we assembled 25 volunteers — quite a surprise for us.
Working with great enthusiasm and speed, the team divided into 3 smaller groups: 5 people selling men's clothes and jackets, 6 selling women's clothes, 5 selling children's clothes, 2 handling parking, and 7 doing marketing.
In just 20 minutes of action.
We raised a total of 854.000 VND.
Equivalent to around 427 clothing items.
It is an achievement that makes me very proud and happy.
And it was truly wonderful. As organizers, nothing makes us happier than seeing volunteers' enthusiasm exceed our expectations. Although they were not on the registered volunteer list, many people readily devoted their time and effort to this mini event. That spirit deserves great praise!
Most notably, I felt it was “AS FAST AS LIGHTNING.” According to my earlier survey, 4 p.m. was not yet the workers' shift-ending time, and foot traffic was not heavy. Yet the marketing team's effective outreach, braving the heat, drew customers in rapidly. Working in close coordination, the sales team bagged items nonstop, offered professional shopping advice, and always cared for customers warmly. I saw street vendors, pedestrians, riders, workers, and neighbors alike radiate happiness as they held their bags of clothing.
So many broad smiles, from volunteers to customers!
“Every effort is rewarded.” Since joining the program, I have clearly seen how hard both the organizing committee and the volunteers work. I have seen people sweating, their faces red in the sunshine, and getting soaked in nighttime rain to transport items — and using up “quite a bit of petrol,” too. I have also seen the generosity of sponsors and benefactors donating items and cash to the program. And in 20 minutes this afternoon, we achieved tangible results.
Among the donations were many brand-new items with tags still attached, worth over 500k, mixed with used items worth less than 50k. Using a rough average of just 30k per garment, we sold 427 items in 20 minutes. That means we saved the community at least nearly 13 million VND. IN JUST 20 MINUTES OF SELLING. What was clear to me was that people still wanted to buy those donated items. Why did so many people come to shop this afternoon? Whether rich, poor, or anyone else, they bought those items because they needed them. If they had no need, we would not have seen those scenes this afternoon. If they had no need, we probably could not have captured those moments this afternoon.
With all our dedication and sincerity, we want to connect givers and recipients and help reduce costs for society as a whole. This program helps Vietnamese people save money and prevents waste.
And at 2.000vmd per garment, it is a ray of Light to save CHILDREN WITH LEUKEMIA. By joining Light Charity, volunteers also become Lighters and receive certificates for student conduct credits. All of you are bridges spreading Vietnamese people's love.
What would happen if we kept spreading love and connecting people who want to give with people who need help? Would more Light Charity activities make more people happy? Givers would have somewhere to give and an opportunity to express their compassion; recipients would receive what they need; and volunteers would have a place to participate and benefit too. That is a tremendous social impact. It is one of the series of activities within our mission: “MAKE VIETNAM A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.”
Do you think what I'm saying makes sense? If so, please share this post and invite your friends to volunteer on the 30th. We currently need your help.
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Heartfelt thanks to this afternoon’s volunteers, and special thanks to the support team from Bánh Mì Má Hải.
Wishing everyone good health and success!
Below are a few reflections from volunteers and photos of the Mini Event.
A reflection post reshared on Lighter Đào Thúy An’s personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=188684188516164&id=100021237526017
