More than 10,000 volunteers have gathered at 150 service spots all over Beijing to provide road guide and emergency response services in the ongoing 7-day National Day holidays as a rehearsal for next year's Olympics services.
"I planned to visit temple fair with my family, but then there is this volunteer program. I think I have to take part," said Wang Jingrui, a 58-year-old volunteer.
She got up at about six in the morning and came to her post at the New World Shopping Mall at downtown Beijing, after attending her family breakfast.
At Wang's service spot, there are 10 volunteers aged above 58, the age of the People's Republic of China. "We are celebrating the National Day by helping others," Wang said.
Having participated in previous volunteer work, the senior citizens speak some English and are very familiar with venues and other things about the Olympic Games, Wang said. Her son and daughter-in-law have also applied to be volunteers.
A visitor surnamed Li from northern China's Shanxi Province said, the volunteers were very helpful. "There are so many service spots everywhere where people can show me the way."
Volunteers also provided varied services like taking photos for tourists and collecting litter, such as cola cans and plastic bottles, and put them into the trash can.
By Sept. 23, 670,000 people have applied to be volunteers for the Beijing Olympic Games, according to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.
(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2007)
