Imperial Tours' corporate social action focuses on the welfare of children. Whosoever moulds his person, his life becomes true. Whosoever moulds his family, his life becomes complete. Whosover moulds his community, his life will grow. Whosoever moulds his country, his life will become rich. Whosoever moulds the world, his life will become broad. by Lao Zi, V. 54 Dao De Jing (i) The Special Olympics in China (2002-2007) George and Trish Smith, who had previously worked for Special Olympics in the U.S. for many years, were sent to Beijing in 2002 with a daunting challenge. They were asked to enroll over 700,000 children into the China program prior to the natural deadline set by the hosting of the Special Olympics Games in Shanghai in 2007. Nancy Kim, a founder of Imperial Tours, suggested the idea of a fund-raising ball when she met George and Trish in 2002. She was appointed Chairperson, and the Beijing Ball became a regular event. In 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006, the Beijing Special Olympics Ball raised $20,000, $80,000, $100,000 and $130,000. Apart from Special Olympics, Imperial Tours also supports the affiliated Best Buddies program. "You have been such glorious assistance to our special friends even now still neglected." Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of Special Olympics   (ii) Under-privileged Children's Education Program From 2003-2006, Imperial Tours funded the tuition and expenses of 8 primary school students in rural Guilin.  When some of our guests heard of this program, they also sponsored an additional 6 children from difficult circumstances. Beginning in 2006, Imperial Tours began construction of a new playground at a rural Guilin school. Together with the financial assistance of former guests and associates, Imperial Tours provided the playground featured in the photograph to the right. In summer 2008, following the demolition of the old school bathrooms and former adobe-brick building, the second section of the village school playground was then paved, and Imperial Tours supplied the playground with permanent outdoor ping pong tables. In the summer of 2008, together with former guests, Imperial Tours outfitted the classroom of a small school in rural Lijiang with new desks and chairs. In the summer of 2009, Imperial Tours collaborated with Beijing-based Compassion for Migrant Children by donating sports equipment and treating 40 migrant children to their first guided-tour of the Forbidden City. In autumn of 2009, Imperial Tours launched a new project to supply financial aid packages that support a year of education for rural students in China through the Overseas Chinese Education Fund. Monies for the student aid packages are generated by reallocating funds that would otherwise supply gifts for travel agency office visits. By December, six weeks after launching the program, Imperial Tours donated 32 aid packages to primary, middle, and high school students in rural areas of Anhui, Sichuan, and Yunnan Province. The project will continue indefinitely. (iii) Other Contributions Imperial Tours has featured visits to Braille Without Borders on all Lhasa itineraries since 2004 with Imperial Tours providing contribution on behalf of the visiting guests. In spring 2008, the tragedy of the Sichuan earthquake shocked the world. In the first few hours, the news from Chengdu was limited and we thought fatalities were limited. Over the next few days, we learnt the worst. The Chinese government seemed to do a great job mobilizing the nation, and Imperial Tours like many Chinese businesses and individuals contributed to coping with this unfortunate event by donating to the Red Cross Society of China.   (iv) Our Future Strategy Previously, Imperial Tours committed to long-term projects with impactful benefits to the welfare of under-privileged children in China.  In the future, we will add environmental conservation to our priorities and our ongoing strategy will have three operating methodologies: Financial contributions to a range of exemplary China-based organizations targeting children’s welfare and environmental conservation.  Donations are generated during agency sales calls and as a percentage of company profit. Publicizing organizations on our website that merit support by our guests and the wider public but fall outside the parameters of our goals. Collaborating with NGO centers to create new products which offer mainstream travel products that benefit both the traveler and the disadvantaged.