Thirty-seven people from around the nation were honored in Taipei yesterday for their good deeds for the community.
Lee Pen-jen (
He said the recipients' concern for others had helped make the world a brighter and warmer place and provided people with hope in a country beset by "disasters" and "social chaos."
Among those being honored, 81-year old Wu Lin A-chu (
From a poor neighborhood in Keelung, Wu Lin began volunteer work in her community soon after settling there in 1948.
At that time, the neighborhood had dozens of brothels and there was a considerable amount of domestic violence.
In doing her work, Wu Lin helped her neighbors, persuaded separated couples to move back in together, adopted children from poor families and protected prostitutes from pimps.
Wu Lin told the ceremony that "there is no pleasure like the pleasure of helping people," and added that she considered it a great honor to offer her humble services to others.
The youngest person honored was Ma Ta-yuan (馬大元), director of the mental health department of the Armed Forces Hsinchu Hospital.
He was honored for promoting mental health and selflessly providing information on the topic wherever itt was needed.
Ma told the ceremony that he believed a person should contribute to society in proportion to his or her material achievements.
Founded 47 years ago, the Republic of China Good People and Good Deed Promotion Association has honored 3,008 men and women for their contributions.
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