Lending a hand & making a difference
By Xu Wei |
May 13, 2013, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WHITE-COLLAR workers have much to offer society outside of their 9-to-5 jobs, and organizations such as Elite Union are providing a platform for them to get more involved in charity work and make a difference in the lives of others, as Xu Wei reports.
There are many good people out there. They want to help others and get involved in creating a more caring society. Many are well-educated, warm-hearted and ready to offer a helping hand.
This is where volunteer groups such as Elite Union comes in. The non-profit organization offers free membership and a variety of services and activities for young white-collar workers, who are a major force behind Shanghai's rapid development. The union also gets involved in charity events, encouraging its members to do little things to help others.
Liu Haitao, a 30-year-old medical device company worker, has got involved in "Books for Love" project, which donates books to schools and libraries in remote areas of China.
Last month the Elite Union collected 1,562 new and used books and magazines and donated to a library and primary school in poverty-stricken Huayuan County, Hunan Province.
The project gets support from Wheelock Square, which sponsored the charity trip.
"It is one of our regular programs to help the children in remote areas," Liu says. "However, we don't think giving is the only way to help. We are also encouraging the farmers in the county to help build a library so that they will be more aware of the value of books and cherish the donation."
Liu says he was one of the first to join Elite Union in Jing'an District where there are around 200,000 white-collar workers. Founded in 2009, Elite Union has about 42,000 members, most of whom are from 25 to 35 years old.
Liu says it has also helped him who used to be shy, but now he is more outgoing and confident.
Wu Jiani, an official with Elite Union, says the organization was initiated to provide the district's white-collar workers a platform to relax, have fun and meet new friends but it has more recently gotten involved in charity events.
It offers white-collars a variety of services and social activities including legal services, counseling, theme parties and dating, along with dance and art lessons.
Wu says they have already collected money for the victims of earthquake-hit Lushan County in Sichuan Province. Some events have even become regular charity programs.
"Every week our volunteers will deliver fresh vegetables, eggs and fruit to old people in Shanghai who don't have children to take care of them," Wu says. "The vegetables and fruit are all donated by supermarkets in our district and they are enough to last a whole week."
"Books for Love," however, is part of the union's "Green Square Meters" charity project, which was inspired by the United Nations' environmental protection program. It encourages white-collar workers to create green space around them, even if it is just one square meter.
Better use of resources
In the following months of the year, a few more events will be launched. Union members will be encouraged to grow small pots of vegetables and plants in their offices and use biodegradable plastic bags.
The union will also cooperate with Baotel, a company that specializes in recycling mobile phones, computers and cameras.
Shi Xin, CEO of Baotel, says every year the large number of discarded digital products can lead to serious pollution. Used mobile phones contain cadmium, lithium and other heavy metals that can contaminate water and soil when thrown away.
He says office workers can do a lot more than just donate money. He suggests people make better use of resources to help protect the environment and spare more resources for people in need.
"We can not all do great things but we can do small things with great love," Shi adds. "We can smile at people around us, do small good deeds every day and be nice and patient with family and friends."
Zhang Leyan, a 43-year-old company worker with China Unicom Shanghai, says the city needs more long-term charity platforms to tap into the talent and generosity of office workers.
Zhang just returned last month from a 10-day volunteer trip to a school in Jianshui County, Yunnan Province, where she and other nine white-collar workers gave children there free light-hearted lessons about the traditions of international festivals and how to protect our planet.
They hosted interactive games and classes with the students, learning about their dreams and teaching them how to make cake. They also instructed school teachers how to use a weibo (China's version of Twitter) and Internet chat tools.
The volunteer teaching program is sponsored by Oriental Morning Post. It's in the seventh year.
In mid-May, 10 students from the school in Jianshui will visit Shanghai for classes and exchanges with local children.
"It is a rewarding experience for all of us," Zhang says. "After the trip some volunteers even told me they would like to be a teacher in the future."
She mentions that charity is never far from us and many people do have the enthusiasm to help others. They hope more reliable and sustainable platforms and channels will open, particularly for office workers, so that everyone can contribute to making our society better.
There are many good people out there. They want to help others and get involved in creating a more caring society. Many are well-educated, warm-hearted and ready to offer a helping hand.
This is where volunteer groups such as Elite Union comes in. The non-profit organization offers free membership and a variety of services and activities for young white-collar workers, who are a major force behind Shanghai's rapid development. The union also gets involved in charity events, encouraging its members to do little things to help others.
Liu Haitao, a 30-year-old medical device company worker, has got involved in "Books for Love" project, which donates books to schools and libraries in remote areas of China.
Last month the Elite Union collected 1,562 new and used books and magazines and donated to a library and primary school in poverty-stricken Huayuan County, Hunan Province.
The project gets support from Wheelock Square, which sponsored the charity trip.
"It is one of our regular programs to help the children in remote areas," Liu says. "However, we don't think giving is the only way to help. We are also encouraging the farmers in the county to help build a library so that they will be more aware of the value of books and cherish the donation."
Liu says he was one of the first to join Elite Union in Jing'an District where there are around 200,000 white-collar workers. Founded in 2009, Elite Union has about 42,000 members, most of whom are from 25 to 35 years old.
Liu says it has also helped him who used to be shy, but now he is more outgoing and confident.
Wu Jiani, an official with Elite Union, says the organization was initiated to provide the district's white-collar workers a platform to relax, have fun and meet new friends but it has more recently gotten involved in charity events.
It offers white-collars a variety of services and social activities including legal services, counseling, theme parties and dating, along with dance and art lessons.
Wu says they have already collected money for the victims of earthquake-hit Lushan County in Sichuan Province. Some events have even become regular charity programs.
"Every week our volunteers will deliver fresh vegetables, eggs and fruit to old people in Shanghai who don't have children to take care of them," Wu says. "The vegetables and fruit are all donated by supermarkets in our district and they are enough to last a whole week."
"Books for Love," however, is part of the union's "Green Square Meters" charity project, which was inspired by the United Nations' environmental protection program. It encourages white-collar workers to create green space around them, even if it is just one square meter.
Better use of resources
In the following months of the year, a few more events will be launched. Union members will be encouraged to grow small pots of vegetables and plants in their offices and use biodegradable plastic bags.
The union will also cooperate with Baotel, a company that specializes in recycling mobile phones, computers and cameras.
Shi Xin, CEO of Baotel, says every year the large number of discarded digital products can lead to serious pollution. Used mobile phones contain cadmium, lithium and other heavy metals that can contaminate water and soil when thrown away.
He says office workers can do a lot more than just donate money. He suggests people make better use of resources to help protect the environment and spare more resources for people in need.
"We can not all do great things but we can do small things with great love," Shi adds. "We can smile at people around us, do small good deeds every day and be nice and patient with family and friends."
Zhang Leyan, a 43-year-old company worker with China Unicom Shanghai, says the city needs more long-term charity platforms to tap into the talent and generosity of office workers.
Zhang just returned last month from a 10-day volunteer trip to a school in Jianshui County, Yunnan Province, where she and other nine white-collar workers gave children there free light-hearted lessons about the traditions of international festivals and how to protect our planet.
They hosted interactive games and classes with the students, learning about their dreams and teaching them how to make cake. They also instructed school teachers how to use a weibo (China's version of Twitter) and Internet chat tools.
The volunteer teaching program is sponsored by Oriental Morning Post. It's in the seventh year.
In mid-May, 10 students from the school in Jianshui will visit Shanghai for classes and exchanges with local children.
"It is a rewarding experience for all of us," Zhang says. "After the trip some volunteers even told me they would like to be a teacher in the future."
She mentions that charity is never far from us and many people do have the enthusiasm to help others. They hope more reliable and sustainable platforms and channels will open, particularly for office workers, so that everyone can contribute to making our society better.
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