China War Relief

Red text on a white outer edge with a blue inner circle with white Chinese characters and a white triangle with red text

The China War Relief Association of America (CWRAA) was an organization that organized fundraising and war relief efforts throughout the Chinese Communities in America to support China’s struggles against Japan. It was formally established in 1937 under the leadership of a prominent Chinese community leader Bing Shun Fong. At its height, the organization was the largest China war relief organization in the United States with 47 branch associations across more than 300 cities. The organization primarily raised funds by placing collection boxes at the Chinese businesses and organizations. They also sponsored ticket sales to social events, such as auctions, variety shows, fashion shows, etc. One of the most successful fundraising events were the Rice Bowl Festivals held in San Francisco and New York. In San Francisco, attendees of the festival were asked to buy buttons for fifty cents as a way of supporting the relief efforts.