These children, mostly aged 5 to 10, radiated an undeniable innocence, and their faces beamed with smiles. Behind the smiles lies the strength of their fight against serious illnesses. Some attended in hospital gowns, with intravenous needles still in their arms.
Tangible charity
September 9 is the “99 Giving Day,” an annual nationwide charity event launched by Tencent Foundation, a charitable organization established by Internet giant Tencent, in collaboration with nonprofit organizations, users, businesses, and media. Since its inception in 2015, the event has now spanned nearly 10 years.
McDonald’s has marked the day by carrying out a sustainable charity initiative by establishing the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The project provides free temporary accommodation for families who have traveled long distances for their children’s medical treatment, alleviating their financial burden while offering tremendous emotional support. So far, three Ronald McDonald Houses have been established in China, respectively in Changsha, Shanghai and Beijing, serving over 1,438 families, supported by fund from Ronald McDonald House Charities and China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.
Jiang Zongyu, Deputy Director of the Charity Research Center at Beijing Normal University’s China Philanthropy Research Institute, said at the Progress in Public Welfare and Charity in 2023 and Trends for 2024 conference that one of the key trends in China’s charity sector is the deep involvement of social forces in grassroots philanthropy, focusing on the needs for critical illness assistance and community services for the elderly and children.
To ensure that charity efforts effectively reach those in need, Ronald McDonald Houses have adopted a community-based model for hands-on charitable work. Focusing on children with serious illnesses such as tumors, blood disorders, and those undergoing stem cell transplants, Ronald McDonald Houses not only provide material assistance but also offer significant emotional support. The Beijing Ronald McDonald House, located just across the street from Beijing Children’s Hospital, covers 860 square meters, featuring 10 family rooms and functional areas including a kitchen, a laundry room, a playroom, a dining area and even an elevator. Regular activities like holiday parties, birthday celebrations, and art classes are held to enrich the lives of children and their families during treatment, bringing them hope and care.
Xie Qiong, a professor at the School of Social Development and Public Policy at Beijing Normal University, wrote in China Society News that “community-based charity is the foundation of China’s unique approach to philanthropy. A well-developed community charity framework can provide a broader base of public participation and a more robust social system for philanthropy in China. It is a crucial direction for the future of charitable endeavors.”
For businesses, fulfilling social responsibility is not only a reflection of their corporate values but also a cornerstone of sustainable growth. “Integrity and giving back to society are the foundation of a company’s long-term success. Supporting the Ronald McDonald House is our testimony to contributing to the community, and through this effort, we hope to foster a positive cycle between the business and society,” Eric Wang, Senior General Manager of McDonald’s Beijing, told Beijing Review.
This hands-on charity model has received positive feedback. Inside the Ronald McDonald House in Beijing, hallways are decorated with children’s drawings and photos of daily activities. Most striking is the Wall of Love made up of thank-you notes from children expressing their gratitude to volunteers and the House. Messages like, “The exciting and fun activities organized by volunteers, and the friends I’ve made here have helped me relax during radiation therapy. Thank you!” and “The Ronald McDonald House helped us unconditionally when we needed it most, solving many problems and saving us a lot of money. I really want to give back to this place,” illustrate the deep impact of the program.
The Ronald McDonald House has become more than a physical shelter—it is a comforting community where families facing similar challenges come together, offering one another support and compassion. “My child and another child, Shuoshuo, play together all the time. The two kids sing and draw together; and as parents, we talk and share treatment information, giving each other psychological support. Our children undergo radiation therapy at around the same time—her treatment is in the morning, and mine is in the afternoon. So, we prepare meals for each other, offering each other the strongest backing in our toughest moments.” Hanhan’s mother told Beijing Review.
Giving back
For volunteers, the experience of helping children is a journey of the heart in which they find joy in infusing warmth and hope into these children, while also learning resilience and optimism from them. “Through volunteer work, I experience the joy of giving and the impact of my actions! When I see that my efforts bring warmth to others, I feel a profound sense of fulfillment,” Lu Jiaying, vice captain of the Beijing McDonald’s Volunteer Group, told Beijing Review.
“I used to think that we were the ones bringing happiness and hope to the kids, but it turns out that we volunteers are equally inspired by the children’s resilience and positive attitudes!”
Even after completing their treatments and leaving the house, the children continue to stay connected with volunteers. During the 2023 Chinese New Year, volunteers received hand-made coasters from the children, Lu said.
What’s even more touching is that the seeds of charity are quietly taking root in the hearts of the children. One child wrote on the “Wish Wall,” “I want to become a volunteer who helps children get their medicine. I want to help by delivering medicine to their home so that they don’t have to wait in line at hospitals, which risks infection. I also want to develop a healthy diet plan to help them recover quickly.”
Charity should never be a solitary endeavor; it should be a collective effort that engages the entire community. This year, during the “99 Giving Day,” over 5,000 organizations and more than 20,000 companies held over 20,000 offline activities. “The events saw the participation of millions of people in charity interactions. It’s like planting seeds that, in the long run, may transform short-term charitable actions into sustained efforts. At present, China’s charity sector has entered a phase of high-quality development, and promoting the construction of a healthy and sustainable charitable ecosystem is even more significant for the industry’s future growth,” Deng Guosheng, a professor with the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, told China Society News. –The Daily Mail-Beijing Review news exchange item
