Reported by: Yuqi Nie
On Saturday morning, February 1, 2025, volunteers from the AYLUS Syosset Branch gathered at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville, NY, to assist with the setup and decorations for the Nassau County Lunar New Year Festival. As this was a county-wide celebration, the venue was bustling with excitement, filled with festive decorations, performances, and joyful visitors.
Volunteer Activities
Our volunteers played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience for all attendees. Throughout the morning, we worked together on various tasks, including:
- Setting up dressing rooms for the performers, ensuring they had the necessary space and organization to prepare for their acts.
- Decorating the festival space, including walls, doors, and glass panels, with beautiful traditional Chinese New Year decorations to create an authentic and festive atmosphere.
- Assisting organizations and businesses in setting up their booths, helping them arrange their stands and materials efficiently.
- Moving and organizing furniture by relocating tables and chairs from the painting exhibition hall to the storage room, which required teamwork and coordination.
- Distributing holiday gifts such as red envelopes and lanterns to children, bringing smiles and excitement to the younger attendees.
- Helping with check-in and lottery registration, guiding guests through the process and ensuring a seamless experience for all participants.
Teamwork & Community Spirit
In addition to the hard work of our student volunteers, many parents joined in to support our efforts. Alicia’s mom and Cynthia’s mom were especially instrumental in guiding us and working alongside us to complete tasks efficiently. Their leadership and enthusiasm helped make the event setup a great success.
Outcome & Impact
The Nassau County Lunar New Year Festival turned out to be a vibrant and festive event, with a large turnout and an incredible holiday atmosphere. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, the festival was well-prepared, and attendees enjoyed a beautifully decorated venue and well-organized activities.
Volunteer List & Hours
- Mia Qiu (3 hours),Amanda Wu (3 hours),Jonathan Bao (3 hours),Isabella Zhong (3 hours),Yuqi Nie (3 hours),Aiden Lin (3 hours),Andrew Lin (3 hours),Audrey Lin (3 hours),Shirley Pan (3 hours),Alicia Chen (3 hours),Bryan Wan (3 hours),Cynthia Chen (4 hours),Christopher Chen (4 hours),Alina Chen (3 hours),Jason Huang (3 hours)
This event was not only a great way to give back to the community but also a chance for volunteers to experience the joy of teamwork, cultural celebration, and meaningful service. We are proud to have been part of such a memorable event and look forward to contributing to future community activities!
