When the cold wind howls past, turning people's cheeks red and freezing their hands and feet, there is always some warm power, like the warm winter sun, dispelling the chill and reaching straight into people's hearts. In this cold winter, pairs of cotton shoes have become messengers of love, bringing comfort to those who need warmth the most.
On December 28, 2024, 16 volunteers from the Municipal Volunteer Association rushed to Yezhuang Primary School in Banpodian Township, Xiangfu District with full love. Most of the 55 students here come from impoverished families. In the cold winter, their thin clothes and worn-out shoes are unable to withstand the extreme cold. The volunteers are well aware of this and have carefully prepared for the 12th Warm Winter Education Assistance Activity. When they delivered brand new cotton coats, cotton shoes, and a variety of cultural and sports supplies to the children, their eyes sparkled with surprise and emotion. These cotton shoes are not only a material gift, but also an encouragement, allowing children to move forward bravely on the road of learning without fear of the cold. Wearing warm cotton shoes, the children's laughter and joy seemed to be even louder, echoing in every corner of the campus, dispelling the winter gloom.
On December 25, 2024, although the streets of Changji City were chilly, a heartwarming condolence event made the hearts of sanitation vehicle drivers warm. The Changji City Environmental Sanitation Management Center, in collaboration with caring enterprises, launched the "Building Strong Environmental Sanitation and Enjoying Beauty with Cleanliness" activity. Representatives of caring enterprises solemnly handed over 40 cotton jackets and 40 pairs of cotton shoes to 70 sanitation vehicle drivers with respect. The beauticians in these cities, whether it's hot or cold, stick to their posts day after day, using their diligent hands to bring cleanliness and tidiness to the city. At this moment, as they took the cotton shoes, their rough hands gently caressed the texture of the shoes, and a simple smile appeared on their faces. These pairs of cotton shoes are a recognition of their hard work, allowing them to no longer freeze their feet in the busy process of clearing garbage and cleaning streets, and to devote themselves to work with more enthusiasm, continuing to strive for the beauty of the city.
At the beginning of the new year, on January 3, 2025, Xinhezhuang Village in Zhangde Town, Yuzhou City, was filled with strong warmth. The "two committees" of Xinhezhuang Village are concerned about the elderly aged 60 and above in the village, and deeply understand the importance of keeping their feet warm in the cold winter. So they thoughtfully gave new cotton shoes to the elderly in the whole village for free. The elderly sat at the entrance of the village, basking in the sun. When the staff handed them pairs of brand new cotton shoes, their eyes became moist. Many elderly people sighed and said, "As we get older, we are afraid of freezing our feet. Now, the village is thinking too thoughtfully." This care not only warms the elderly's feet, but also their hearts. In the village, the elderly wear new cotton shoes, greet and chat with each other, and the whole village is immersed in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
In this series of caring actions, although cotton shoes are small, they carry a heavy bond of friendship. It is a concrete manifestation of the concern of various sectors of society for vulnerable groups, and a warm symbol of the gathering of love. Whether it's children studying, hardworking sanitation workers, or elderly people, they feel kindness and warmth from others and society because of these cotton shoes in this cold winter. This warmth, like a spark, will ignite the flame of love in the hearts of more people, allowing the power of love to continue and spread, and making every cold winter in the future no longer cold.