In an attempt to spread knowledge of Chinese culture and raise money for charity, eleventh-graders Eryn Lin and Zachary Raad, members of Pandeagle Cultural Institute, will be helping host the organization’s annual cultural festival. The festival will occur Saturday, March 12, at the Chinese Christian Alliance Church in Tampa, Fla.
Pandeagle is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the diffusion of Chinese culture around the region of Southwest Florida. The organization is based in Tampa but includes a branch in Sarasota as well, led by Lin and Raad. “I feel that even though we are just a small organization, we are still able to spread cultural awareness and make a difference through persistent efforts,” Raad said.
One of Pandeagle’s primary goals is to raise money for underprivileged children in rural China. The profits from the festival will be donated to an orphanage in China. Pandeagle also offers free Chinese lessons, with an optional $20 donation, which is also given to the orphanage. Additionally, members hold monthly activities at nursing homes to educate the elderly about different aspects of Chinese culture.
The event will run from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will feature a wide variety of activities, such as calligraphy, dumpling-making and tea sampling. Performances on traditional Chinese instruments and more modern Chinese pop songs will also be featured. There will be authentic Chinese food, including potstickers, fried rice, noodles and egg rolls. The event will culminate with a play put on by volunteers about Chinese philosophers. “Pandeagle is dedicated to promoting a better understanding of Chinese culture in our communities and I’m really excited for the event,” Lin said.
To purchase a ticket or learn more about the event, go to Pandeagle’s website. Admission is $10 online and $12 at the door.