Head of Fuzhou charity is honored

Fuzhou Charity Foundation Chairman Fang Qingyun was named this year's recipient of the "Outstanding Volunteer of China Charity" award for his philanthropic achievements.

The award was presented by the China Charity Foundation, a leading non-government organization (NGO).

The Fuzhou Charity Foundation was established in 2006. Under Fang's leadership, the foundation has raised more than 92 million yuan to fund programs benefiting more than 70,000 people in Fuzhou.

A flagship program created by Fang provides community services and medical aid to the elderly.

As part of the program, unemployed people were hired to staff senior citizen centers.

Widowed people over the age of 70 who visited the centers received services free of charge.

Fang's foundation also is a partner with four Fuzhou hospitals and clinics providing services to older city residents.

Among them is Wuxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, which has distributed Love Medical Care Cards to 540 widowed people over the age of 60.

Patients can use the cards to receive clinic services valued at 360 yuan per year for 10 years.

The program also provides hospice care and also funeral arrangements in partnership with local cemeteries.

The Fuzhou Charity Foundation also has benefited thousands of disadvantaged people during the last three years with its projects serving the poor, orphans and schools.

Fang was praised for his efforts to promote philanthropy in the capital city of southern China's Fujian province.

He has been an ongoing partner with government agencies, social organizations and the media to promote educational and entertainment events in Fuzhou.

(China Daily 08/03/2009 page10)