Changhua, Taiwan, Dec. 6 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged local people Saturday to dedicate themselves to volunteer services to help push for Taiwan's progress in various aspects.
Chen made the appeal while attending a national rally and athletic contest in the central county of Changhua to mark the Dec. 5 International Volunteer Day.
At the invitation of the ROC Volunteers Association, Chen said he was in a TV commercial earlier this week calling on local citizens to join volunteer services. "I believe that it will become a precious manpower resource and an important force driving Taiwan's national upgrading if each citizen devotes some of their leisure time to volunteer service, " Chen said.
Whenever he sees volunteers work selflessly, Chen went on, he is moved. "Therefore, I follow in their footsteps. In the past three years, I have volunteered my services at social welfare organizations on my inaugural day on May 20, " Chen said, adding that he hopes May 20 will become Taiwan's Volunteer Day in the future.