Wang Yuanyuan
A HOMELESS garbage recycler was named a charity model at the city s Second Charity Awards on Saturday because he had donated more than 4,000 yuan (US$615) to charity in two years.
The 35-year-old Li Yun, who collects recyclable material and lives in temporary accommodation at a construction site in Futian District, said he was very happy to win the award, but he left the ceremony secretly because he did not want to be under the spotlight, yesterday s Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
Li, a native of Chongqing, started making donations to the Shenzhen Charity Association in 2008 in the hope of helping dropout students go back to school. He donated most of his income to the charity nearly every month, Chinese newspaper reported previously.
Although it was not a lot of money, it was a huge portion of his income that came from collecting and selling recyclable garbage. It is very moving and inspiring, so we decided to nominate him for the Charity Award, said Fang Tao, general secretary of the Shenzhen Charity Association.
However, Li said he did not know what to do with the trophy. I ve got a tiny little place and nowhere to put it. I wonder if I can give the trophy to the Shenzhen Museum or the Charity Association so that I can go there when I want to see it, he said.
More than 80 individuals, organizations and charity programs were honored at the Second Charity Awards.
Ma Huateng, CEO and founder of Tencent, Wang Chuanfu, CEO and founder of BYD, and Zheng Weining, CEO and founder of Canyou Group, were among the top 10 philanthropists honored at the awards for their years of achievements in charity works.
Ten companies such as Tencent won the awards for the Top 10 Charity Companies, while 10 programs, including a charity internship program for college students and a program to help migrant workers children fulfill their dreams, won awards for the Top 10 Charity Programs.
The selection campaign was launched by the city s 18 charities last year and 251 individuals, organizations and programs entered the final-round of selection. The awards were given according to a professional evaluation committee and online voting.
