The Corner Melt hosted the pin launch party for Maovember 2014 last night and raised more than 3000 yuan for charity through drink sales and games alone. Dozens of people also bought Maovember pins for 50 yuan (500 mao) each and anonymous donors gave 4800 yuan to this year’s cause of funding cataract surgeries through Orbis.

Venues are raising funds this year through a mix of food and drink deals and games. At Corner Melt, manager Skylar oversaw the drinks deal — Knob Creek shots, picklebacks and PBR combos for rmb30, with all proceeds to charity — that raised 2340 yuan, while Jimi Sides of Corner Melt and Tommy Dobro of neighboring bar BBC ran the Nerf sports challenge that raised 400 yuan. Andy Horowitz of Andy’s Craft Sausages sold 320 yuan worth of Brass Monkeys, with all proceeds to Maovember.

That adds up to 3060 yuan just from drinks and games.

The event drew plenty of supporters from last year as well as newcomers, including a strong contingent from The Hash House Harriers, led by GM Andres Vargas. People who wear their pins to select venues during November are eligible for deals. That includes at The Corner Melt, where pin-wearers can get picklebacks for 30 yuan.

(Toward the end of the week, this 500 Mao Club page will start to include the names and in some cases photos of those supporting Maovember by buying pins. For details on upcoming activities, see the Maovember events page.)

Maovember focuses on quirky events for good causes. Our 2022 partner is Library Project, which has furnished thousands of reading rooms in rural schools. Learn more about Maovember here. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.