Taoyuan City Government's Alternative Service Draftees Act as "Grandchildren," Fostering Intergenerational Companionship and Human Touch
The Taoyuan City Government's Department of Civil Affairs and Huashan Foundation held a Dragon Boat Festival outing, where 13 alternative service draftees accompanied 250 elderly individuals, emphasizing the importance of companionship and creating a heartwarming intergenerational scene.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 20:56
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 21:01 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 07:57 (10h 55m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Rui-chi, Taoyuan, 29th) The Taoyuan City Government's Department of Civil Affairs today held a Dragon Boat Festival outing with the Huashan Foundation, where 13 alternative service draftees and service partners accompanied 250 elderly individuals on an outing. Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Su Chun-pin said it was especially like "bringing grandchildren to accompany grandpas and grandmas," allowing the elderly to feel companionship and holiday happiness.
The Taoyuan City Government's Department of Civil Affairs stated that since the launch of the "Alternative Service Public Ambassador Group" in 2024, it has collaborated with various district offices and social welfare organizations to hold over 2,400 events, serving over 50,000 people. In addition to supplementing grassroots care capacity, it has also made "companionship" an important force supporting the lives of the elderly.
Grandpa Lin (pseudonym) from Zhongli said that 10 years ago, he was rear-ended in a drunk driving accident, and his life fell into difficulties and he even lost his job after a cervical spine injury. "At that time, I really didn't know how to live," he said. Fortunately, with the long-term companionship, rehabilitation, and care from the Huashan Foundation and alternative service draftees, he can now gradually take care of himself. Guan Ting (pseudonym), an alternative service draftee participating in the companionship, said that only by entering the lives of the elderly did he realize the meaning of companionship, allowing both sides to gain strength through interaction. "This experience will always be remembered."
Xiao Yong (pseudonym), an alternative service draftee who has served for over 4 months, pointed out that his first activity was assisting in distributing Spring Festival supplies. He originally thought it was just delivering supplies, taking blood pressure, and chatting with the elderly, but when he actually entered the elderly's homes and saw them living alone, he couldn't help but think that everyone might become someone who needs care and companionship in the future, possibly facing loneliness and helplessness. The draftees not only delivered supplies but also conveyed the sentiment that "someone still remembers them."
The Huashan Foundation stated that today, it joined hands with the Department of Civil Affairs to hold the "Dragon Boat Festival Get Moving, Tea for Happiness Outing," where 13 alternative service draftees accompanied 250 elderly individuals and service partners, totaling 400 people, on an outing. The event arranged for the elderly to visit the Taiwan Hakka Tea Culture Museum in Longtan District for DIY tea bag making and tea ceremony experience. During this time, the alternative service draftees provided assistance and interacted with the elderly, becoming their most thoughtful companions.
Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Su Chun-pin, who participated in the event, pointed out that the Huashan Foundation deeply cultivates the grassroots and provides resources. This sentiment aligns with the city government's promotion of the "Alternative Service Public Ambassador" program. Today, it was especially like "bringing grandchildren to accompany grandpas and grandmas," allowing the alternative service draftees to see the meaning of service in the process and experience the life landscapes of different generations through interaction with the elderly, becoming precious and unforgettable memories. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Wu Rui-chi, Taoyuan, 29th) The Taoyuan City Government's Department of Civil Affairs today held a Dragon Boat Festival outing with the Huashan Foundation, where 13 alternative service draftees and service partners accompanied 250 elderly individuals on an outing. Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Su Chun-pin said it was especially like "bringing grandchildren to accompany grandpas and grandmas," allowing the elderly to feel companionship and holiday happiness.
The Taoyuan City Government's Department of Civil Affairs stated that since the launch of the "Alternative Service Public Ambassador Group" in 2024, it has collaborated with various district offices and social welfare organizations to hold over 2,400 events, serving over 50,000 people. In addition to supplementing grassroots care capacity, it has also made "companionship" an important force supporting the lives of the elderly.
Grandpa Lin (pseudonym) from Zhongli said that 10 years ago, he was rear-ended in a drunk driving accident, and his life fell into difficulties and he even lost his job after a cervical spine injury. "At that time, I really didn't know how to live," he said. Fortunately, with the long-term companionship, rehabilitation, and care from the Huashan Foundation and alternative service draftees, he can now gradually take care of himself. Guan Ting (pseudonym), an alternative service draftee participating in the companionship, said that only by entering the lives of the elderly did he realize the meaning of companionship, allowing both sides to gain strength through interaction. "This experience will always be remembered."
Xiao Yong (pseudonym), an alternative service draftee who has served for over 4 months, pointed out that his first activity was assisting in distributing Spring Festival supplies. He originally thought it was just delivering supplies, taking blood pressure, and chatting with the elderly, but when he actually entered the elderly's homes and saw them living alone, he couldn't help but think that everyone might become someone who needs care and companionship in the future, possibly facing loneliness and helplessness. The draftees not only delivered supplies but also conveyed the sentiment that "someone still remembers them."
The Huashan Foundation stated that today, it joined hands with the Department of Civil Affairs to hold the "Dragon Boat Festival Get Moving, Tea for Happiness Outing," where 13 alternative service draftees accompanied 250 elderly individuals and service partners, totaling 400 people, on an outing. The event arranged for the elderly to visit the Taiwan Hakka Tea Culture Museum in Longtan District for DIY tea bag making and tea ceremony experience. During this time, the alternative service draftees provided assistance and interacted with the elderly, becoming their most thoughtful companions.
Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Su Chun-pin, who participated in the event, pointed out that the Huashan Foundation deeply cultivates the grassroots and provides resources. This sentiment aligns with the city government's promotion of the "Alternative Service Public Ambassador" program. Today, it was especially like "bringing grandchildren to accompany grandpas and grandmas," allowing the alternative service draftees to see the meaning of service in the process and experience the life landscapes of different generations through interaction with the elderly, becoming precious and unforgettable memories. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.