歌声暖夕阳，青春传温情 Songs Warm the Sunset Glow, Youth Conveys Heartfelt Warmth
美国加州南湾华人协会开展敬老公益活动 South Bay Chinese American Association of California Launches Charity Activities to Respect the Elderly
[Nanwan News] A song awakens the memories of years; a love warms the silver age. Recently, the South Bay Chinese American Association of California organized a caring team to enter the Golden West Tower Senior Apartment to carry out charity activities for the elderly on Grandparents' Day. The association uses music as a link and companionship to convey warmth, sending care and joy to the elderly. It also builds a social practice platform for young volunteers, and spreads Chinese culture through Chinese songs, allowing respect for the elderly, youth education and cultural exchanges to blend with each other in public welfare services, allowing love and responsibility to be passed on between generations.
Professor Ma Shengxing, Chairman of the South Bay Chinese American Association of California, Professor Du Yuanyuan, consultant of the association and professional vocal teacher, Professor Wang Yini, the youth consultant, consultants Fred Jair, Xiyan Li, Executive President Wang Wei, Vice President Catherine Li, Secretary Julia Guo, publicity volunteer Teacher Wang and youth volunteer August Agudamu jointly organized and participated in the activities to gather and communicate with the elderly and spend a warm time.
Over the years, the South Bay Chinese American Association of California has actively participated in elder care, youth training, cultural exchanges and community welfare services. The association not only serves the Chinese community, but also actively integrates into the diverse community of Nanwan. It continues to carry out various public welfare activities to promote ethnic exchanges, inherit Chinese culture, and contribute to building a harmonious and friendly community.
At the beginning of the event, Chairman Ma Shengxing delivered a speech on behalf of the association, extending sincere greetings and best wishes to the elders present. He said that respecting, respecting and loving the elderly are traditional virtues passed down from generation to generation by the Chinese nation, and are also the long-term public welfare direction of the association. It is hoped that through music, culture and continuous community services, more care will be sent to the elderly, so that respecting and caring for the elderly will not only be the warmth of the festival, but also become a long-term companionship in community life.
Association consultant Fred served as an on-site translator to assist the association team, Golden West Tower staff and elders with different language backgrounds in communicating, bringing them closer together in a relaxed and pleasant interaction.
This music event was guided by Professor Du Yuanyuan, a consultant to the association and a professional vocal teacher from the School of Music of Shanghai Normal University. Professor Du has been involved in vocal music education for more than 30 years and has rich teaching experience. In view of the learning characteristics of the elderly, she specially simplified and enlarged the song scores, added pinyin and Chinese and English translations, and led everyone to learn and sing the Chinese songs "The Moon Represents My Heart" and "Hemerocallis japonica" with a soothing rhythm, friendly language and patient and meticulous demonstrations. The two songs have beautiful melodies and sincere emotions. They carry the expression of family affection and cultural memory of the Chinese people, and have also become a window for elders with different cultural backgrounds to understand Chinese culture.
The familiar melody of "The Moon Represents My Heart" slowly sounded. Professor Du led the singing line by line and demonstrated patiently, while volunteers accompanied the elderly to practice softly. The old people started humming softly and gradually integrated into the melody. Some waved their hands gently to the beat, and some had happy smiles on their faces. Music transcends language and age boundaries, allowing elders from different cultural backgrounds to experience the unique and delicate emotions of Chinese songs.
Then, the melodious melody of "Hemerocallis Flowers" sounded at the scene. Hemerocallis embodies family affection, gratitude and concern in Chinese culture, which complements the theme of the activity of respecting the elderly. Under the leadership of Professor Du, the elders followed the instructions carefully and sang softly. Facing the elderly who have a slower learning pace, Professor Du and the volunteers always patiently demonstrate and encourage gently. There are no barriers of age or language, only companionship and resonance in singing. The scene was filled with singing, applause and laughter, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
During the event, the association also prepared gifts for the elders and Vice President Catherine Li hosted and organized a fun, interactive lucky draw. A gift, a greeting, a handshake, all carry the care and blessings of the community. At the end of the event, volunteers and the elderly once again sang two Chinese songs together. With melodious melodies and warm applause, they left beautiful memories of this warm gathering that spanned ages and cultures.
It is worth mentioning that this charity activity to respect the elderly not only warmed the hearts of the elderly, but also became a vivid social practice lesson for young volunteers.
In the early stages of the event, August, a volunteer at the Youth Center of the South Bay Chinese American Association of California, took the initiative to undertake the liaison and coordination work with Golden West Tower. From email communication, preparation of event plans, to face-to-face communication with the apartment manager, coordination and implementation of event details, he participated in the entire preparation and implementation of the event.
For a high school student, these jobs are rare hands-on opportunities outside of the classroom. How to prepare in advance, how to communicate professionally and appropriately, how to listen to needs, coordinate opinions, solve problems, and how to gradually put an idea into practice. Every link is an exercise in communication skills, organizational coordination skills and sense of responsibility. August said that this experience allowed him to learn a lot of knowledge beyond books, and he also realized the importance of communication, cooperation and responsibility. He believed that these experiences will have a positive impact on his future study, work and life.
Professor Wang Yini, the association’s youth consultant, actively participates in and guides young people’s community charity practices, helping them practice communication, organization, coordination and problem-solving skills in real social services. She said: "Public welfare is not only about giving, but also about receiving; it is not only about helping others, but also about learning through service and growing through practice." Cultivating youth leadership has always been an important part of the association's community services. The association hopes that through real social practice, young people can gradually grow from participants in public welfare activities into responsible, responsible and service-minded community builders.
After the event, the person in charge of Golden West Tower expressed his sincere gratitude to the South Bay Chinese American Association of California for its enthusiastic support, professional vocal teaching and thoughtful arrangements, and looked forward to further strengthening cooperation between the two parties.
Respecting and caring for the elderly inherits the virtues of the Chinese nation that have lasted for thousands of years; the growth of young people carries the hope and future of the community. This event uses Chinese songs as a cultural carrier to organically combine care for the elderly, cultural dissemination, community exchanges and social practice for young people: the elderly feel companionship and joy in singing, young people learn responsibility and responsibility in service, and people with different cultural backgrounds also enhance understanding and friendship through music and communication.
In the future, the South Bay Chinese American Association of California will continue to strengthen cooperation with Golden West Tower and other community organizations, leverage its advantages, continue to carry out elder care, cultural exchanges and community public welfare services, respond to community needs with practical actions, enhance understanding with culture, and connect each other with public welfare, so that more elders can enjoy and love the elderly, so that more young people can grow up in service and take on responsibilities in dedication, and contribute to building a more friendly, inclusive, and harmonious diverse community.
【南湾讯】一首歌，唤醒岁月记忆；一份爱，温暖银龄时光。近日，美国加州南湾华人协会组织爱心团队走进 Golden West Tower 长者公寓，开展祖父母节敬老公益活动。协会以音乐为纽带、以陪伴传温情，为长者送去关爱与欢乐，也为青少年义工搭建社会实践平台，并通过中文歌曲传播中华文化，让敬老、育青与文化交流在公益服务中相互交融，让爱与责任在代际之间传递。
美国加州南湾华人协会主席马胜兴教授，协会顾问、专业声乐教师杜园园教授，青年顾问王旖旎教授、顾问 Fred Jair、Xiyan Li，执行会长王薇、副会长 Catherine Li，秘书 Julia Guo、宣传义工王老师和青少年义工 August Agudamu等共同组织并参与活动，与长者欢聚交流，共度温馨时光。
多年来，美国加州南湾华人协会积极参与长者关怀、青少年培养、文化交流和社区公益服务。协会不仅服务华人社区，也积极融入南湾多元社区，通过持续开展各类公益活动，促进族裔交流、传承中华文化，为建设和谐友善的社区贡献力量。
活动伊始，马胜兴主席代表协会致辞，向在场长者致以诚挚问候和美好祝福。他表示，尊老、敬老、爱老是中华民族世代相传的传统美德，也是协会长期坚持的公益方向。希望通过音乐、文化和持续的社区服务，将更多关爱送到长者身边，让敬老爱老不仅是节日里的温情，更成为社区生活中长久的陪伴。
协会顾问 Fred 担任现场翻译，协助协会团队、Golden West Tower 工作人员及不同语言背景的长者沟通交流，在轻松愉快的互动中拉近彼此距离。
此次音乐活动由协会顾问、来自上海师范大学音乐学院的专业声乐教师杜园园教授指导。杜教授深耕声乐教育三十余年，教学经验丰富。针对长者的学习特点，她特别将歌谱简化、放大，并加注拼音和中英文翻译，以舒缓的节奏、亲切的语言和耐心细致的示范，带领大家学唱中文歌曲《月亮代表我的心》和《萱草花》。两首歌曲旋律优美、情感真挚，承载着中国人的亲情表达与文化记忆，也成为不同文化背景长者了解中华文化的一扇窗口。
熟悉的《月亮代表我的心》旋律缓缓响起，杜教授逐句领唱、耐心示范，义工们陪伴长者轻声练习。老人们从轻声哼唱到渐渐融入旋律，有的随着节拍轻轻挥手，有的脸上绽放出开心的笑容。音乐跨越语言和年龄的界限，让不同文化背景的长者共同感受中文歌曲独特而细腻的情感。
随后，《萱草花》的悠扬旋律在现场响起。萱草在中华文化中寄托着亲情、感恩与牵挂，与敬老活动的主题相得益彰。在杜教授带领下，长者们认真跟学、轻声合唱。面对学习节奏稍慢的老人，杜教授和义工们始终耐心示范、温柔鼓励。没有年龄与语言的隔阂，只有歌声中的陪伴与共鸣。现场歌声、掌声与笑声交织，洋溢着温馨欢乐的气氛。
活动中，协会还为长者们准备了礼物，并由付会长Catherine Li主持安排欢乐的抽奖互动。一份礼物、一声问候、一次握手，都承载着社区的关爱与祝福。活动尾声，义工与长者再次共同唱响两首中文歌曲，在悠扬的旋律和热烈的掌声中，为这场跨越年龄与文化的温馨相聚留下美好回忆。
值得一提的是，这场敬老公益活动不仅温暖了长者，也成为青少年义工一堂生动的社会实践课。
活动前期，美国加州南湾华人协会青少年中心义工 August 主动承担与 Golden West Tower 的联络协调工作。从电子邮件沟通、活动方案准备，到与公寓负责人面对面交流、协调并落实活动细节，他全程参与了活动的筹备与实施。
对于一名高中生而言，这些工作是课堂之外难得的实践机会。如何做好事前准备，如何专业、得体地沟通，如何倾听需求、协调意见、解决问题，又如何将一个构想逐步付诸实践，每一个环节都是对沟通能力、组织协调能力和责任意识的锻炼。August 表示，这次经历让他学到了许多书本之外的知识，也更加体会到沟通、合作与责任的重要性，相信这些经验将对未来的学习、工作和生活产生积极影响。
协会青年顾问王旖旎教授积极参与并指导青少年社区公益实践，帮助他们在真实的社会服务中锻炼沟通、组织协调和解决问题的能力。她表示：“公益不仅是付出，也是收获；不仅是帮助他人，更是在服务中学习，在实践中成长。” 培养青少年领导力一直是协会社区服务的重要内容。协会希望通过真实的社会实践，让年轻人从公益活动的参与者，逐步成长为有责任、有担当、有服务意识的社区建设者。
活动结束后，Golden West Tower 负责人对美国加州南湾华人协会的热心支持、专业声乐教学及周到安排表示诚挚感谢，并期待双方进一步加强合作。
敬老爱老，传承的是中华民族绵延千年的美德；青年成长，承载的是社区的希望与未来。此次活动以中文歌曲为文化载体，把长者关怀、文化传播、社区交流与青少年社会实践有机结合：长者在歌声中感受陪伴与欢乐，青年在服务中学习责任与担当，不同文化背景的人们也在音乐与交流中增进理解与友谊。
未来，美国加州南湾华人协会将继续加强与 Golden West Tower 及其它社区机构的合作，发挥优势，持续开展长者关怀、文化交流和社区公益服务，以实际行动回应社区需求，以文化增进理解，以公益连接彼此，让更多长者老有所乐、老有所爱，让更多青年在服务中成长、在奉献中担当，为建设更加友善、包容、和谐的多元社区贡献力量。
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