Chongqing - On December 6, Chongqing celebrated International Volunteer Day with the event "Lighting Up Dreams with Starlight: A Tribute to Volunteer Power," held at the Chongqing Global Lounge in Nan'an District. The gathering brought together municipal leaders, outstanding volunteers, cultural figures, and media representatives to mark the city's spirit of service, responsibility, and hope. Every year on December 5, the world marks International Volunteer Day, a date designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 to honour volunteers and highlight the vital role of volunteer‑led service in promoting social progress, solidarity, and sustainable development. In recognition of the day, communities worldwide mobilize to celebrate volunteers' efforts across sectors — from education and disaster‑relief to social services and public health.

The musical performance cheers the volunteers up (Photo: the event organizer)

The evening opened with interactive photo sessions. Representatives from various volunteer groups exchange greetings and take photos together with astonishing night views of Chongqing. A series of heartfelt volunteer testimonies formed the core of the event. One standout example of them is the "Sha Sister Protecting Minor" project, which focuses on protecting and supporting Chongqing minors threatened by family issues and crime. Since its founding in 2004 as a small seven‑person team in the Dadukou District, the initiative has grown into a nationally recognized volunteer program with over 500 core volunteers and more than 40 awards. Volunteers provide targeted, professional assistance to vulnerable youth, combining family guidance, educational support, and remote interventions. One volunteer shared in the interview:

"The volunteer spirit of dedication, friendship, mutual help, and progress. This spirit is never a slogan. It is integrated into every act of patient listening and every precise assistance. Our practice emphasizes that volunteer service for protecting minors must hold a passionate original intention and dissolve barriers with sincerity."

Volunteer from the "Sha Sister Protecting the Minor" (Photo: the event organizer)

Representatives from Nan'an Yiyou Charity, the "Hongyan Electric Young Workers" team of State Grid Chongqing, international volunteer Idrisov Arslan, and the Chongqing Literary Volunteers Association also shared personal experiences, highlighting the diversity and expanding reach of volunteerism in the city.

The program included a musical performance by Longze Sonam, vice chairman of the Chongqing Literary Volunteers Association, who presented I Sing Chongqing for You. The event concluded with remarks from Minister Zou Yong, who emphasized the strategic importance of volunteer services in fostering social cohesion. Participants then sealed a symbolic "Volunteer Time Capsule," wrapping their wishes and commitments in words and placing them in a container to inspire future generations.

Volunteers are dropping the time capsules (Photo: the event organizer)

The gathering showcased Chongqing's evolving volunteer landscape—one built on compassion, civic duty, and the belief that each act of kindness is a spark capable of lighting another's path.