President Chen Shui-bian received winners of the sixth "Prudential Spirit of Community Awards" at the Office of the President on March 3, praising their enthusiasm in helping those in need.
The president first admired the young winners' passion to life and to society. "Besides studying hard in school, you have, on the one hand, sacrificed your spare time to do voluntary work and, on the other, expected nothing for return," said the president, emphasizing that the true meanings of the awards are to promote correct value systems, and to set up modes for others to look up to.
"Since my first inauguration in 2000, I have set May 20th the 'Taiwan's Volunteer Day'," the president said and shared with the young winners his own experiences as a happy voluntary worker. "I hope there will be more people to join us and make our country a 'Volunteer Taiwan'," concluded the president, who has provided voluntary services on every May 20 in the past five consecutive years.
Among this year's 30 award winners, while some served at the National Palace Museum, some others are members of charity clubs in schools and voluntary workers in hospitals, and some more others are deeply involved in community affairs, aiming to provide their on-the-site services in their neighborhoods. "In you, I have seen the brightest glamour of humanity and strengths that will lead our society to move upward," praised the president.
The "Prudential Spirit of Community Awards" was first initiated in the United States of America in 1995. To be in line with the world, Taiwan had its first Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in 2000.