I have lived in Taiwan for 16 years and for many of those, I have tried to find a way to get involved in the greater community. As a foreigner, this had been difficult as I don’t speak the language and don’t know how to contact organizations. One day I came across the SALT Collectiv on Facebook. After doing some research about the organization online, I took a chance and signed up for the #GivingTreeTW event in November 2021.

As my birthday was approaching, all I wanted was to do some service with my husband and daughter…so this is what I asked for as my birthday present! As we arrived at the event location, we were welcomed by SALT Collectiv volunteers and shown our stations where we would be selling t-shirts and overseeing the photo booth.

As vendors arrived, I began to truly understand what the event was about. Local vendors sell their wares to support a great cause; providing Christmas gifts for underprivileged and marginalized around the island (specifically orphans, cancer & HIV kids, and mentally and physically handicapped). As people arrived, showing their support for the community, they began choosing gift tags from the Christmas tree and supporting the local businesses. Suddenly the carols broke out and people joined in the singing – real Christmas spirit! At the end of our volunteer session, we had a chance to choose our own gift tags and were excited to be able to provide a gift for a child.

When I signed up to volunteer at #GivingTreeTW, I also offered to drive and deliver gifts to the children. This was truly the highlight of the experience for me. Often we give money or volunteer to help man a booth, but rarely have I had the chance to see an experience like this to the end. Getting to see the smiles on the faces of the children as they opened their gifts, filled my heart! I knew then that SALT Collectiv was an organization that would do great things for others and I wanted to be a part of it!

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1.) Are there Christmas gift drives in Taiwan?

SALT Collectiv hosts an annual #GivingTreeTW campaign, which is about spreading the Christmas spirit to the underprivileged and marginalized of Taiwan. We partner with multiple recipient organizations around Taiwan to serve over 1000 orphans, cancer & HIV kids, and mentally and physically handicapped. You can get involved by sponsoring a gift for someone in need and help to spread joy and love to those overlooked or underserved in society. Follow us on Facebook and IG for more information on what’s to come in 2022!

2.) Is it possible to volunteer with children in Taiwan?

Yes! SALT Collectiv welcomes and encourages children of all ages to participate in our volunteer events. However, parents will be solely responsible for the actions, behavior, and whereabouts of their children.

3.) Where can I volunteer in Taiwan?

SALT Collectiv is a nonprofit headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan that hosts volunteer opportunities to serve the marginalized. Volunteer opportunities include serving the homeless through our SALT soup kitchen, orphanage visitations, elderly care, biannual beach cleanups, and our annual Christmas Giving Tree that gives over 1,000 gifts each year to the marginalized all over Taiwan. We also have fundraiser events such as trivia nights, bake sales, F45 workouts, carwashes, and many more. Our FUNdraiser events bring the fun into building our community. Come check out our community and join the movement.