 "Photo: Andrea Lai")
 "Photo: Andrea Lai")
In the midst of a devastating earthquake that shook Sichuan Province in Southwest China on May 12, relief organizations sprang into action, collecting donations and distributing aid throughout the region. The earthquake, with a Richter scale magnitude of 7.9, destroyed schools, flattened buildings and left hundreds of thousands of people missing, injured, dead or homeless.
The disaster touched home for one Austin group. The Love of China School of Chinese Dance responded with a Sunday benefit at Barton Creek Square Mall to raise money for the American Red Cross of Central Texas' international disaster relief fund. A space in the mall was donated to accommodate performance groups from the Love of China and other dance companies. Performances ranged from ribbon dances to exhibitions of Chinese yo-yos. Booths showcasing origami accepted donations in return for the small paper crafts.
With free admission, the benefit raised more than $4,000 for the Red Cross relief efforts to aid in the aftermath of the earthquake.
