In the warm breeze of March, volunteer service is in full swing. To carry forward the spirit of Lei Feng and promote the traditional Chinese virtues of "respecting, honoring, and caring for the elderly," the Yingcai Volunteer Service Team of the School of Foreign Studies actively responded to the call of Lei Feng Month. Recently, the team visited Xinleyuan Nursing Home in Harbin to conduct a volunteer service activity under the theme "Respecting the Elderly, Warming the Sunset Years." With sincere hearts, the volunteers brought the warmth of spring sunshine to the elderly residents.

On the afternoon of the event, the volunteers went in groups to Xinleyuan Nursing Home. They brought cleaning cloths and brooms, carefully wiping handrails along the corridors, cleaning neglected corners, and tidying up tables and chairs in public areas. Some volunteers crouched down to remove dust from the gaps of radiators, while others stood on tiptoe to clean high window ledges. Although the tasks were simple and repetitive, everyone worked with great enthusiasm. Yang Siying, Director of the Practice Department of the Youth League Committee, remarked, “Seeing the living environment of the elderly become brighter and cleaner through our efforts gives me a strong sense of achievement.”

Afterwards, the volunteers sat beside the elderly, listening patiently to their stories of youth and struggle. Some elders recalled their unforgettable years of working on the reclamation of the Great Northern Wilderness, their eyes filled with pride; others shared treasured old photographs and talked about their family lives. In return, the volunteers introduced their own university life and spoke about the history and academic strengths of Harbin Engineering University. When the university’s predecessor, Harbin Military Engineering Institute, was mentioned, several elders nodded approvingly and said, “That is a good university. It trained so many talents for our country." During the conversations, the volunteers gently massaged the elders' shoulders and handed them warm cups of water, expressing their care through simple yet heartfelt actions.

This volunteer service activity not only brought warmth and joy to the elderly at Xinleyuan Nursing Home, but also allowed young students to gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary meaning of the Lei Feng spirit through practice. In the future, the School of Foreign Studies will continue to promote the regularization, specialization, and branding of volunteer service activities, using them as an important platform for practical education. It aims to inspire more young students to fulfill their responsibilities through youthful wisdom and practical action, allowing the Lei Feng spirit to shine even more brightly in the new era.