Crossing Rivers, Moving Mountains Again
by Michael Fong

Saturday, August 20th, 2005

On a sunny August morning in High Park Picnic Area One, ACAS held its second annual fundraiser, Crossing Rivers Moving Mountains. This annual ACAS Fundraiser raises funds for supplies and materials to help with the daily function of the organization. A total of 65 Participants and volunteers worked hard collecting pledges for the fundraiser, totalling over $5500 this year.

This year's theme for Crossing Rivers Moving Mountains was the visiting of Asian and South-Asian childhood games. Various games such as Catch The Chick, Bamboo Rods In Rhythm, Keep It Up, Baby!, Something About ACAS, These Ain't Chicken Balls, Drag and Run, Let's Skip Together, Sinking for Treasure, Fold n' Fly, and I Weh Hu, were modified to test the young and old alike in spirit of friendly competition. Teams consisted of four participants challenged by means of physical and trivial trials.

The festivities began with opening speeches from Noulmook Sutdhibhasilp (ACAS ED) and Patrick Truong (ACAS Support program coordinator). Following a warmup and the Capture the Tail game, where the participants formed one long line which represented a dragon. The front of the line represented the head and the end of the line the tail. The purpose of the game is for the head of the dragon to capture its tail. The tail was captured which officially opened the games, teams venture off to the different stations to enjoy the youth-time games.

As the teams and volunteers enjoyed the games, other volunteers prepared the barbeque grills and the food for the soon to be hungry team members and volunteers. After the teams finished their trials, everyone enjoyed in the delicious food. Favourites of the day were the grilled curry fish balls and the numerous juicy water melons.

Once the eating was finished, teams finished their round of the games and submitted their scorecards into the judging panel to be tallied. Team A had achieved the most points during their participation in the games. Other notable teams was The Regent Sisters for raising the most pledges, “Snow white and the 3 Giants” for the most creative team name, and Alan Li for the individual who raised the most pledges. Each team left was awarded prizes, but everyone was a winner that day receiving raffle gifts, enjoying a wonderful summer day and to help ACAS and its community. Many thanks go to all volunteers and the ACAS Fundraising Committee who have helped in the process to produce this successful event.