Liu Hongyan, who has devoted over 50 years to volunteer work, gives a lecture at a local school. [Photo/Administrative Committee of Binhai New Area in Hai'an]

In Hai'an, a city renowned for its strong spirit of community service, a network of dedicated volunteers is making a profound impact through their unwavering commitment and diverse initiatives. From long-standing individual efforts to organized collective actions, these volunteers are transforming lives and fostering a culture of compassion and support across the region.

Liu Hongyan, for example, has devoted over 50 years to volunteer work. In 2018, she founded the Hai'an Hongyan Volunteer Service Team, which she continues to lead today. The team has grown to nearly 20,000 volunteers, who provide support to various groups of people including underprivileged families and retired military personnel.

To date, 198 veterans have received assistance from Liu and her team. The volunteers also conduct over 100 events at 10 schools in Hai'an annually, inviting the veterans to share personal stories and promote peace among children.

The Hai'an Volunteer Federation, another prominent local charity organization, was established in 2011 by Zhou Li, a female entrepreneur. The federation has since expanded to 8,200 volunteers, who have collectively contributed over 200,000 hours of service. Volunteers come from various professions and engage in activities such as supporting the elderly, aiding people with disabilities, caring for left-behind children, promoting reading, and environmental protection.

For the past 12 years, the organization has regularly visited 23 elder care homes in Hai'an, providing services like haircuts, shaves, nail trimming, back massages, and blood pressure checks.

In addition to these efforts, numerous other volunteer groups focus on supporting retired military personnel, children, and offering services like electric bike repairs, mobile phone fixes, and cultural events. These diverse initiatives all contribute to the city's ongoing development and vitality.