Spreading Warmth for the Dragon Boat Festival: Cheng Shiu University Brings Care and Dumplings to Seniors in Linyuan

On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, Cheng Shiu University (CSU) hosted a heartfelt community outreach event titled “Sharing Love Through Dumplings in Linyuan – Joyful Dragon Boat Festival, Healthy to 120” at Shengdi Temple in Linyuan, Kaohsiung. The event combined free wellness services and festive gift-giving, with the university offering rice dumplings and traditional care to local residents and seniors.

Highlighting the event was CSU President Dr. Jui-Chang Kung’s personal visit to Gong She-Ji, a 102-year-old community elder. Accompanied by local community leaders, Dr. Kung brought her glutinous rice dumplings made by CSU’s Department of Culinary Arts and a bottle of bird’s nest tonic, wishing her continued good health and vitality: “Here’s a zongzi handmade by our students, and some bird’s nest for your well-being—have a joyful Dragon Boat Festival!” The scene was filled with warmth and gratitude as the centenarian was seen energetically pedaling a stationary bike outside her home.

Seven Consecutive Years of Festive Community Service

This marks the seventh consecutive year CSU has held its Dragon Boat Festival celebration in Linyuan District, embodying the university’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. This year’s event kicked off with a vibrant Yuan-Ji dance performance by members of the Linyuan Yuan-Ji Dance Research Association and followed by an enthusiastic dance presentation by volunteers from the Gongcuo Community Care Team.

President Kung was joined by Academic Vice President Dr. Jui-Wei Kung, Dean of the College of Life & Creativity Dr. Ching-Yun Hsu, and Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Huang-Kuang Kung. Together with Gongcuo Village Chief Mr. Fang-Sheng Kung and Community Chair Ms. Yi-Chia Wu, they led a prayer ceremony at Shengdi Temple before distributing 1,000 handmade zongzi—prepared by the university’s culinary students and faculty—to local seniors and families with the help of community volunteers.

Wellness Services and Local Connections

As part of the event, CSU’s Health and Wellness Service Team from the Department of Leisure and Sport Management offered free musculoskeletal therapy and massage services. Residents and elders received stress-relief treatments, many expressing that the therapy helped reduce stiffness and rejuvenate their bodies: “I feel so much more energized after this. Thank you for your kindness!”

President Kung emphasized that Cheng Shiu University upholds the spirit of resource sharing and local engagement, especially during festive occasions. “Our students not only made 1,000 zongzi for elders and underprivileged groups in the community, but also provided on-site wellness services. It’s a way for them to experience the true value of serving society with what they’ve learned.”

He further noted that CSU is deeply committed to fulfilling its University Social Responsibility (USR) by focusing on local collaboration and talent development to advance sustainable social progress. Through regular participation in service activities, students are encouraged to transform knowledge into community action.

Over the years, CSU has expanded its Dragon Boat Festival outreach and invested more resources into supporting rural communities. By collaborating with local residents, the university aims to foster sustainable development and explore shared futures through education, care, and action.

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