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December 15, 2015

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Volunteer groups improve life in Putuo District

Volunteer teams were out in full force in Putuo District to mark International Volunteer Day on December 5. Yet for many community groups in the district, volunteer services is a year-round commitment.

One of the district’s newest volunteer teams is organized by Putuo City Construction Investment. During the group’s launch at Changfeng Park at the start of the month, over 200 volunteers — who represent only a portion of the group’s total membership — offered a variety of consulting services.

Experts from the group shared their knowledge with local residents on various topics, including nutrition, seasonal health care, home decorating, home horticulture, indoor pollution control and the importance of garbage sorting. They also provided residents with the latest information on policies pertaining to public rental housing, senior citizens’ clubs and nursing homes.

Officials from Putuo City Construction Investment said themed volunteer events and programs arranged by the group will be organized each weekend this month.

During these events, small groups of volunteers will visit residential communities where they will provide services and host leisure activities for residents, particularly the elderly, the disabled, the poor and migrant workers.

Professionals will also offer a variety of repair and maintenance services to elderly persons living in nursing homes.

Care for the elderly

Several members of the team now regularly provide care to elderly residents of Putuo who live alone. They regularly offer cleaning services and spend time with the elderly to keep them company.

Meanwhile, the Lark Bird volunteer group, founded in 2005 and based in the Caoyang area of Putuo, operates volunteer service stations covering local communities. Over the past 10 years, its members have regularly come to the aid of local people and families.

For instance, Lark Bird volunteers with medical expertise have offered health care consultations, lectures and treatment to seniors. Volunteers have also helped to mediate and resolve family disputes.

Lu Yao, a Lark Bird member, says that the group has a total of 9,616 registered volunteers. Their work covers a wide range of functions and services in the community.

“Lark Bird has become a trustworthy brand for local people after 10 years of development,” Lu explained. “Currently, retired people still make up a large proportion of the group. We hope that more and more young people with expertise and volunteer experience can join us in the future.”

Better environment

Recently at the Xing Yang Yuan resident community, the group helped beautify its buildings with green plants. A charity auction for green plant seeds was also held to encourage people to take up home growing.

Volunteers with the group have opened a special WeChat public account to spread information about events and happenings.

Another group getting attention is the volunteer community at the Putuo District Central Hospital. Indeed, this group has received various state- and city-level honors over the years. Its digital database includes information on 1,707 volunteers, many of whom are medical professionals and social workers.

Over the years, the group’s kindness has spread beyond Putuo. Since 2006, medical staff at the hospital have traveled to remote and poverty-stricken areas of China to offer free treatment.

The hospital’s volunteer community has also cooperated with neighboring community service centers, schools and enterprises on a host of charity events.

The group includes many non-medical professionals, including volunteers from colleges and performing troupes who organize singing and arts events to bring joy and comfort to the hospital’s patients. Children at the hospital also receive special care and rehabilitation assistance from the volunteers.

This year, many young teachers in the district have also taken part in volunteer programs related to education, the humanities, environmental protection, science and technology. For instance, these volunteers have taught white-collar workers how to improve their health with simple exercises. Recently, the group also held a sports event designed to encourage physical activity among children.

Suzhou Creek, which passes through Putuo, has been a witness to Shanghai’s development. Earlier this month, volunteers walked along the river and took photos showing the progress and vitality of Putuo.

They also shared these photos and knowledge about the culture of Suzhou Creek with people in local communities.

Meanwhile, alley games including hoop rolling, hopscotch and Chinese yo-yos were arranged for residents. These games evoked a nostalgic mood among many adults for their carefree childhood days.




 

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