Before the traditional Chinese New Year, spreading love and warmth is a natural manifestation of a kind society. In Los Angeles, the WANYU Foundation, along with local philanthropic entrepreneurs, donated thousands of pairs of women’s shoes and breakfast food to disadvantaged women in the Baldwin Park community, hoping to alleviate some of their life pressures and experience care from society.
On Wednesday (February 4th) at 11 a.m. in front of the TERI G. MUSE Family Service Center, dozens of women from various ethnicities lined up to receive a truckload of women’s shoes and breakfast food donated by the WANYU Foundation. The foundation’s president, former Walnut City council member Qin Zhenguo, and former president of the Chinese American Foundation, Jack Mao, were busy unloading hundreds of boxes from the parked truck inside and out. Without time to exchange greetings with others, they focused on unloading the goods, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.
Although philanthropic donations may seem easy, in reality, it requires spending money and time to organize donated items and physically transport them in order to reduce labor costs for each activity and save more funds to help families in need.
Volunteer Lin Xiuzhu explained that before this event, WANYU would hold small-scale donations every one or two weeks, sometimes going door-to-door to deliver items to residents with mobility issues. The foundation is pleased to see more and more newcomers joining the effort.
During a break after the busy activities, Qin Zhenguo briefed on the event. Foundation staff began preparing early in the morning, assembling, loading, delivering, and unloading goods, keeping them occupied for most of the day. Since the donated goods needed storage, he cleared out his own space to reduce costs. “My home has now become a disaster relief center,” Qin Zhenguo said, indicating that besides a few tables and chairs, his home was mostly filled with boxes and containers for donations, with a large storage shed added in the backyard.
He believes that many families in society now need help, and the emergence of these struggling families is related to U.S. border policies. Open borders have allowed many people to enter, but without adequate follow-up care, these individuals could become marginalized and ultimately homeless. He criticized those who advocate for open borders, saying, “If you support open borders, you should also open your wallet to help these people, rather than just talking without taking action.”
Jack Mao, former president of the Chinese Lions Club, also joined the volunteer team that day to help load and unload goods. Upon receiving a call from Qin Zhenguo, he immediately joined in. Many women at the scene were excited to receive their favorite shoes, and Jack Mao remarked, “These shoes are quite high-end and fashionable. I think this will help enhance the image of the Chinese community in mainstream American society.”
As the traditional Chinese holiday approaches, the Chinese will share joy during the festival. “We should share this love and let society feel the warmth,” Jack Mao said, emphasizing that anything in society has a cycle, whether good or bad. A cycle of goodness can make those forgotten or struggling families feel cared for. “This love needs to be maintained by everyone together.”
The charity event that day also received assistance from other ethnic community organizations. Elisa Jimenez, leader of the California Mental Health Connection in Baldwin Park, thanked the WANYU Foundation for their help. She mentioned that local Chinese residents often face significant pressure in their lives due to language barriers, and this philanthropic donation can help them and bring blessings to the community.
Ms. Xu, who recently came to the United States, was also waiting to receive gifts. She wanted to personally experience the philanthropic activities in American society. In China, she participated in various activities to help patients, but she felt it was different here. Ms. Xu expressed her admiration for American society, noting that many people are kind and willing to sincerely help others. “You can feel the gratitude from those who are helped, which is deeply heartfelt.”
As the Lunar New Year approaches, it is important to remember the value of giving back and spreading love in the community.