A modern generation of Lei Fengs
By Fei Lai |
March 30, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TODAY'S volunteers may honor the memory of one of China's revered citizen-heroes, but they really don't need any prodding when it comes to opening their hearts to help others in need. Fei Lai reports.
On March 2, more than 30 groups gathered in the Minhang Sports Park to showcase their volunteer work, answering late Chairman Mao Zedong's call to emulate the good deeds of Lei Feng, a People's Liberation Army soldier who died in 1962 and is revered as a model of selfless behavior.
March 5 has been designated a national day to honor self-sacrifice and "learn from comrade Lei Feng."
But volunteers in Minhang don't confine their good works to one day. They are out in the community every day of the year to help those in need.
At 7am on the 20th day of each month, a group of volunteers in the Minhang District appear on busy Nanjing Road E. to cut hair, take blood pressure readings or sharpen kitchen knives free of charge.
Rain or shine, wind or snow, the volunteers never miss a day. They have served an estimated 30,000 people in the seven years they have been offering their services. The team is from the Jiuxing Furniture Market, and they have built up quite a clientele of "customers" who loyally show up every month seeking help.
The service day was the brainchild of Pan Jingui, marketing manager of Jiuxing Furniture Market.
"I was inspired by Tao Yijia, a shop assistant at the Shanghai No. 1 Pharmacy, who served as a volunteer on Nanjing Road E. for 18 years," Pan said. "I witnessed her good deeds in 2007 and was completely moved by her selfless spirit."
Zhu Ying, chairman of Jiuxing Furniture Market, has been an enthusiastic supporter. He makes sure the team of volunteers is with well equipped with chairs and desks, a grindstone and a blood pressure monitor.
In the past seven years, they have gone through five blood pressure monitors and more than 10 grindstones.
"I have taken the blood pressure of hundreds of people in the past seven years," said Wu Yueqin, one of the volunteers. "I feel happy about what I'm doing."
In Huacao Town, the Youth Volunteer Fleet just started up, using 12 cars to provide shuttle services for the elderly, sick and disabled.
Ding Jianfeng, secretary of the Youth League Committee in the town, said the service was inspired by a free shuttle service in Beijing that proved a godsend during a downpour last July.
"Although transport in Huacao has been greatly improved in the past several years, there is inconvenience when bad weather hits," Ding said.
"The 12 cars are provided by 4S stores and private car owners," he added. "In peak hours, especially during periods such as Spring Festival and in bad weather, we will carry local residents to their destination at no charge."
The fleet is trying to recruit more young car owners to join in the service.
Over in Hongqiao Town, 59 teams comprising 1,300 volunteers have formed a league.
Each month, the teams have pledged to provide community services at least 200 times.
Yang Weiping, an official from the Hongqiao local government, said volunteerism is an important adjunct of urbanization.
"In past few years, Hongqiao has experienced fast development, creating a growing demand for volunteering services of all sorts," Yang said. "Through these efforts, people in communities can show care and respect for one another."
Before the league was formed, volunteer services were a bit hit-and-miss, without much coordination. Establishment of the league makes it easier for needs to be identified and addressed, and it provides a channel for local government funding.
Zhao Yun, director of Hongqiao Town Volunteering Service Center, said the league has instilled a new passion among volunteers and helped focus their time and efforts on the actual needs of people in the community.
The league grew out of a project called "Star and Fire," initiated by the local government last September.
An assessment system was introduced to provide incentive subsidies ranging from 1,000 yuan (US$160) to 3,000 yuan to star volunteer teams. Meanwhile, those existing in name only were replaced by new teams.
Mao Meiling, founder of a volunteer team that helps mediate community disputes, said the work has lifted her self-esteem.
"Doing volunteer work has made me a celebrity of sorts in communities where everybody knows me," she said. "I've helped people resolve many disputes related to issues such as housing relocation and neighborly squabbles."
Wang Renbiao, deputy secretary of Hongqiao Town, said volunteer work is a catalyst to community harmony.
"A little spark makes a great fire," he said.
Jiang Zhipeng, a volunteer from Minhang First Aid Center, said that every team member he's met is committed and dedicated.
"We come from all walks of life," Jiang said. "I've been a volunteer in the blood donor program for a decade. Every time I see people donate blood, I feel happy from the bottom of my heart."
A native of Hunan Province, Jiang said volunteer work is also a great way to make friends and feel part of a community. "There are so many warm-hearted people in our community," he said. "Selfless devotion draws people closer together."
On March 2, more than 30 groups gathered in the Minhang Sports Park to showcase their volunteer work, answering late Chairman Mao Zedong's call to emulate the good deeds of Lei Feng, a People's Liberation Army soldier who died in 1962 and is revered as a model of selfless behavior.
March 5 has been designated a national day to honor self-sacrifice and "learn from comrade Lei Feng."
But volunteers in Minhang don't confine their good works to one day. They are out in the community every day of the year to help those in need.
At 7am on the 20th day of each month, a group of volunteers in the Minhang District appear on busy Nanjing Road E. to cut hair, take blood pressure readings or sharpen kitchen knives free of charge.
Rain or shine, wind or snow, the volunteers never miss a day. They have served an estimated 30,000 people in the seven years they have been offering their services. The team is from the Jiuxing Furniture Market, and they have built up quite a clientele of "customers" who loyally show up every month seeking help.
The service day was the brainchild of Pan Jingui, marketing manager of Jiuxing Furniture Market.
"I was inspired by Tao Yijia, a shop assistant at the Shanghai No. 1 Pharmacy, who served as a volunteer on Nanjing Road E. for 18 years," Pan said. "I witnessed her good deeds in 2007 and was completely moved by her selfless spirit."
Zhu Ying, chairman of Jiuxing Furniture Market, has been an enthusiastic supporter. He makes sure the team of volunteers is with well equipped with chairs and desks, a grindstone and a blood pressure monitor.
In the past seven years, they have gone through five blood pressure monitors and more than 10 grindstones.
"I have taken the blood pressure of hundreds of people in the past seven years," said Wu Yueqin, one of the volunteers. "I feel happy about what I'm doing."
In Huacao Town, the Youth Volunteer Fleet just started up, using 12 cars to provide shuttle services for the elderly, sick and disabled.
Ding Jianfeng, secretary of the Youth League Committee in the town, said the service was inspired by a free shuttle service in Beijing that proved a godsend during a downpour last July.
"Although transport in Huacao has been greatly improved in the past several years, there is inconvenience when bad weather hits," Ding said.
"The 12 cars are provided by 4S stores and private car owners," he added. "In peak hours, especially during periods such as Spring Festival and in bad weather, we will carry local residents to their destination at no charge."
The fleet is trying to recruit more young car owners to join in the service.
Over in Hongqiao Town, 59 teams comprising 1,300 volunteers have formed a league.
Each month, the teams have pledged to provide community services at least 200 times.
Yang Weiping, an official from the Hongqiao local government, said volunteerism is an important adjunct of urbanization.
"In past few years, Hongqiao has experienced fast development, creating a growing demand for volunteering services of all sorts," Yang said. "Through these efforts, people in communities can show care and respect for one another."
Before the league was formed, volunteer services were a bit hit-and-miss, without much coordination. Establishment of the league makes it easier for needs to be identified and addressed, and it provides a channel for local government funding.
Zhao Yun, director of Hongqiao Town Volunteering Service Center, said the league has instilled a new passion among volunteers and helped focus their time and efforts on the actual needs of people in the community.
The league grew out of a project called "Star and Fire," initiated by the local government last September.
An assessment system was introduced to provide incentive subsidies ranging from 1,000 yuan (US$160) to 3,000 yuan to star volunteer teams. Meanwhile, those existing in name only were replaced by new teams.
Mao Meiling, founder of a volunteer team that helps mediate community disputes, said the work has lifted her self-esteem.
"Doing volunteer work has made me a celebrity of sorts in communities where everybody knows me," she said. "I've helped people resolve many disputes related to issues such as housing relocation and neighborly squabbles."
Wang Renbiao, deputy secretary of Hongqiao Town, said volunteer work is a catalyst to community harmony.
"A little spark makes a great fire," he said.
Jiang Zhipeng, a volunteer from Minhang First Aid Center, said that every team member he's met is committed and dedicated.
"We come from all walks of life," Jiang said. "I've been a volunteer in the blood donor program for a decade. Every time I see people donate blood, I feel happy from the bottom of my heart."
A native of Hunan Province, Jiang said volunteer work is also a great way to make friends and feel part of a community. "There are so many warm-hearted people in our community," he said. "Selfless devotion draws people closer together."
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