Li Hongtao, a 63-year-old man who lives alone and has a lame right leg, is a low-income worker in Pingfang district, Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province.

He suffers from serious diabetes and heart disease. Last year, he was living in poverty and needed help. This year, he founded a team of 33 volunteers to help people in need. The profits of the team have been donated to four students to finance their university education.

He works as a volunteer to give back. Neighbors all call him Uncle Li.

Taking part in a volunteer service team

In 2012, Li was encouraged to join a volunteer service team. By doing some volunteer activities, he learned that people without money can also help others.

Li felt great happiness helping others. He helped a disabled son buy vegetables. He also cleaned houses every day, walking upstairs and downstairs.

"Before doing volunteer service, I felt upset and alone, sleepless every night. After joining the team, I have become busy. I help others and am filled with happiness every day.”

Working at a volunteer service shop

On March 17, 2014, Li applied to work at a shop that aims to sell donated clothes to people in need and help poor residents with the profits. Every day he puts the clothes in order, helps with sales, receives newdonations and keeps records. Sometimes neighbors come to assist him.

With the increase of volunteers, Li decided to build a 33-member group. Meanwhile, the shop gathered more and more donated clothes. It has more than 12,000 in storage now.

Companionship is more helpful than money

Though Li’s new service group formed just several months ago, it has accomplished a lot. The volunteers have visited 19 senior citizens all over 90 years old. They have helped four students fulfill their university dreams with the shop profits, providing 1,000 yuan ($162.87) to each person. They have visited nursing homes to accompany the elderly every month, giving haircuts, trimming their nails and making Chinese dumplings for them.

"By doing all these, I’ve learned that companionship, and not just money, can help others. We can also help people in need with our love and energy,” he said.