Bring on volunteer spirit for 'Lei Feng Day'
Volunteers in Shanghai will offer everything from free health care to legal help and home repairs in the coming days as part of a nationwide move to honor China's altruist icon Lei Feng.
Lei, a soldier who died aged 22 in August 1962, was known for his tireless spirit in helping people in need in his spare time. Late Chairman Mao Zedong wrote "Learn from Comrade Lei Feng" on March 5, 1963, and March 5 has since been designated as a special day marked across the nation to learn from Lei.
From March 1, free health consultation sessions will be held at some hospitals, residential complexes and parks where residents can also find free services such as legal consultations, hair cutting, home appliance repairs and gardening advice.
To reward outstanding volunteers, the Shanghai Volunteers Association and the Shanghai Volunteers Foundation will sign another three-year contract with 10 hospitals to provide free health checks for the volunteers.
There are more than 3.5 million registered volunteers in Shanghai.