Charity Drives Around Taiwan to Spread Holiday Cheer
The Chinese Christian Relief Association has embarked on a 10-day trip to deliver essential goods and services to less-fortunate families around Taiwan. TaiwanPlus joined them on their first day.
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00:00 "God, we thank you for your concern for our brothers and sisters in the past through this morning and through 2019.
00:08 We also see your concern for our tribe."
00:13 Mr. Lee lives alone in a small one-bedroom house in the mountains of northern Taiwan.
00:19 He's not married and has no kids.
00:21 Mr. Lee suffered a stroke that left him infirm and barely verbal.
00:25 The holidays can be a particularly tough time for him.
00:29 On this occasion, the Chinese Christian Relief Association has come to Mr. Lee's house to check up on him
00:34 and bring him essentials like food, blankets and toiletries.
00:38 "He's very clean."
00:41 "He's very clean."
00:45 Just around the corner from Mr. Lee's house, volunteers have set up shop at a church.
00:50 Here, they're giving out food and clothing to those in need.
00:56 But they're not just here handing out material goods.
00:59 They're also offering services like makeovers and dental checkups
01:02 to make sure that everyone can have a healthy and comfortable holiday season.
01:07 "We hope to use our power to help them clean and maintain their homes and teach them how to clean their mouths and mouths."
01:15 "We're doing this to help elderly people who are more remote from home to do some haircuts."
01:25 This event has been a yearly occurrence since 2016.
01:29 Over the next week, the association will travel around Taiwan,
01:32 bringing these essential goods and services to other remote parts of the country.
01:37 16-year-old Aaron Guan is one of the volunteers.
01:43 He's spending Christmas and New Year's helping out.
01:46 "I just gave out food to that person. I felt that I was able to experience their life.
01:51 Their life is very different from ours.
01:53 I feel that they need help, and I can help them. It's a great opportunity."
01:59 Aaron is just one of dozens of volunteers who have committed their holidays to doing good.
02:05 For siblings Cindy and Darren, this annual event is part of their Christmas tradition.
02:09 "Well, I've been doing it repeatedly over the past few years, and I feel like it's a great experience."
02:15 "I went here when I was five, when it started.
02:17 And then I spent every Christmas like this, so it's practically become a tradition."
02:23 While the holidays are a time for celebration, they're also a time for giving.
02:35 And that's the association's mission, to give people like Mr. Li another reason to celebrate.
02:41 Though he can't quite say it out loud, gratitude and appreciation are written all over his face.
02:46 John Su and Leslie Liao for Taiwan Plus.
02:49 [BLANK_AUDIO]