People and companies recognized for charity work

Hu Min / SHINE

The city has received more than 1.8 billion yuan (US$263 million) from the public in donations for the prevention and control of the coronavirus as of the end of August, Shanghai's civil affairs authorities announced on Saturday, China's fifth Charity Day.

Donations totaled 1.875 billion yuan as of August 24, with 1.826 billion yuan  spent, the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau said. 

Social organizations in the city received four charitable trusts totaling nearly 10 million yuan which were used to purchase anti-coronavirus equipment, support pandemic treatment projects in hospitals and subsidize medical staff from Shanghai who travelled to Wuhan.

More than 8,000 social workers in areas like medical, community, justice and children have provided volunteer services in the city to combat the epidemic.

Twenty individuals, companies, social organizations and projects were recognized on Saturday for their charity contributions.

"They demonstrate the power of charity, and that charity is not distant, but in our daily lives," said Zhu Qinhao, director of the bureau, at the award ceremony in Huangpu District.

Renowned conductor Cao Peng, 95, and Bi Yuanhong, who died in August aged 89, were recognized. Cao is dedicated to helping autistic children through music. Bi donated property worth more than 7 million yuan to support the study of poor students over the years and built a school in a remote mountain area of Shaanxi Province.

Shanghai's "senior volunteer action" program, which is in its 17th year, was also recognized. Under the program, retirees in areas such as medical treatment, education, psychological counseling and social work visit northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to provide voluntary services. The program has so far helped more than 1.1 million people.

Hu Min / SHINE