Every Wednesday evening, a group of runners in Chongqing get together and set off on their 5-to-8-kilometer run through the city’s public spaces. But this is not a common run. The runners carry rubbish bags with them. They are a group of rubbish collectors who keep fit while helping clean up their surroundings (周围环境).

“Make running more than just running,” Sogor says, wearing a blue T-shirt with “We Run For Trash (垃圾)” on the back. She says that besides exercising in a fun way, Trash Running is also a way to make new friends and discover hidden places.

Sogor says that in addition to the weekly runs, the group also organize running to mark special days. On Earth Day, for example, they help clean up roads in the Gele Mountains.

There are now many runners in different jobs—office workers, yoga teachers, restaurant owners and so on. The oldest is in their forties, and the youngest is just five years old.

From time to time, the runners draw attention and get a big thumbs-up (竖起大拇指). Sogor said, “What one person can do is small, so we run together to make a better and greater influence.” She said that Trash Running has groups in many cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Changchun and Wuhan. Over 9,300 people have joined the group and about 4,000 of them are trash runners.

My name is Jenny. I have been volunteering for about 16 years. I got a serious illness so I had to stop working. My sister suggested that I should do voluntary work which I had never thought of before.

I then decided to start volunteering in a hospital. The volunteers were making a team and chatting and I thought I’d like to help patients in that way too. In the Chapel (小礼拜堂), we take it in turns to do prayers (祈祷) for patients and we each have a room where we go and talk to patients. In the hospital, I often make tea and speak to patients especially if I see the patients who are sitting there on their own or don’t have visitors. I go to the Chapel every Wednesday afternoon and go to work in the hospital on the second Monday in a month.

There are so many good things about volunteering meeting a lot of new people and building a friendship with them. I get as much as the patients do. I feel useful now and it’s terrific to think I am making a difference to somebody. Some people are looking forward to seeing you the next week. Volunteering is the best thing I’ve ever done.

Many students have experiences to volunteer. Some people think it’s a waste of time for students to give up several hours to help others every week. But I think this may help us succeed in the future.

Volunteering can help meet new people and build community. Everyone loves new friends! Being a part of a team with a common goal will help you connect with strangers. It can change your life. Volunteering means helping people, and that means you’ll create meaningful relationships with others.

It can help get knowledge and understand other ways of life. Volunteering might take you to a new part of your community you have never been to before. Volunteer programs can give you the opportunities to bring people into your social network. You can learn from those who come from different walks of life.

Volunteering can help you get your future dream job. Volunteering will offer you skills that can be used in your work. When you have a volunteering experience, you will have more advantages in getting a dream job than those who don’t take the time to give back to society.

In a word, volunteering will help us to succeed in life. So give away your time and energy to help others from now on!