On Saturday, October 4th, 2025, from 11 am to 5 pm, volunteers from AYLUS Oakland Gardens Branch participated at the Harvest Church of New York’s Mid-Autumn Festival day for their 197th event. The event took place in the church’s garden area. The place consisted of all kinds of vendors and stations. There were traditional Chinese dance performers and martial arts performers in addition to AYLUS’s stations contributing to the festive and lively atmosphere.
The branch started off by setting up tents, tables, and chairs. After setting up the stations, AYLUS volunteers were separated into three stations: balloon making, face painting, and a handmade goods sale. The volunteers at the balloon making station were able to make balloons ranging from animals, flowers, and weapons. Since there was such a vast range of options available, a random picker raffle was an option for festival goers as well. The volunteers at the face painting station met the requests of all by using stencils and hand drawing designs onto faces and hands. The artists drew animals, popular characters, and intricate flowers and patterns. Lastly, adjacent to the face painting station was the handmade goods sale station. The volunteers there sold handmade pipe cleaner flower bouquets, traditional Chinese beaded keychains and accessories.
The day was sunny and hot but the members persevered. The impact left on the community was worthwhile. From this event, we learned that allocating a few hours in our day to volunteering can make a difference in our community through spreading happiness and kindness. The kids left with smiles on their faces upon receiving balloon and face painting services from AYLUS.
Thank you to the Harvest Church of New York for hosting this event and allowing us to participate in today’s special event. In addition to providing us the opportunity to make a difference in our community, they provided us free food as well. Thank you to those who donated at our station for our cause of helping our community. Last but not least, a thank you to members of AYLUS Oakland Gardens Branch for helping make the stations a success.
Our volunteers:
1. Hong Hao Liu: 6 hours
2. Ruolin Gao: 6 hours
3. Ryan Wu: 6 hours
4. Isabella Wang: 6 hours
5. Haoze Gao: 6 hours
6.Tingyue Li: 6 hours
7. Victor Tu: 6 hours
8. Linke Peng: 6 hours
9. Zhanger Li: 6 hours
10. Evaline Yuel: 6 hours
11. Austin Yuel: 6 hours
12. Mohan Lou: 6 hours
13. Yilin Peng: 6 hours
14. Sophia Gao: 5 hours
15. Sabrina Gao: 5 hours
16. Elina Lee: 5 hours
17. Opal Tsai: 5 hours
18. Austin Li: 3.5 hours
Parent Adviser Team:
Fannie Li: 8 hours
Karen Liao: 8 hours
Faye Liu: 8 hours
Report Written by: Sabrina Gao
Reviewed by: Jia Qi (Angela) Liu
