A | (ECNS) -- Retired U.S. teacher Ronald Sakolsky, who once donated $5,000 to support China's desertification control efforts 26 years ago, reunited on Sunday with his Chinese friend Yin Yuzhen, a desertification fighter in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. Their story began in 1999, when Sakolsky taught English at a school in Henan Province under a teacher exchange program between the two countries. After watching a television news report about Yin's tireless work, he was deeply moved and raised the $5,000 to help Yin and her husband in their afforestation campaign. Yin spent almost all the money on buying more saplings, keeping just one dollar bill as a souvenir. Today, the slender saplings have grown into a vast forest. Yin gained national attention in May when she issued a public search for Sakolsky, which ended successfully. On the day of the reunion, Yin chose a green coat and arrived early at Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport. "I plant trees, and the earth is green," she said. The red scarf draped around her neck was the same one she had worn during her early days of planting trees in the desert, although it had been washed over and over again. She had practiced three English phrases: "Welcome to China," "my brother," and "more, more," her way of saying "Please eat more" to show hospitality. But when they finally met, she couldn't utter a single word. As Sakolsky came down the escalator, he kept wiping tears from his eyes. Yin hurried forward and held out her arms. The two held each other tightly, tears welling in their eyes. "This is a dream come true," said Sakolsky. "She made a promise 27 years ago and kept her promise. I never thought I would see her again. It is a miracle, but it shows culture and people can still keep promises." He praised Yin as an extraordinary woman who has made great contributions to China. He mentioned that he had intended to take a tree home to the United States, but was prohibited by law — which drew laughter from the tearful onlookers. Yet he was determined to bring back some sand home with him, saying in all seriousness that if necessary, he would pack it in his shoes. Invited by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), his itinerary from Aug. 23 to Sept. 1 will also include China-U.S. teacher exchange events, a visit to Henan to meet with teachers and students at the school where he worked, a visit to the press briefing hall of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and visits to historical and cultural landmarks. Official figures show that China has contributed about one-quarter of the world's increase in green vegetation and rehabilitated 152 million mu (about 10.13 million hectares) of desertified land between 2021 and 2025. (By Zhang Dongfang) 
。 正值2026重庆责任福彩宣传周如火如荼开展之际，作为本次宣传周五大重点活动之一的“2026走进重庆福彩公益行”落地巫山县。7月23日，巫山县民政局、县慈善会、县福彩工作站联合发起“益路同行”关爱一老一小公益项目，将福彩“扶老、助残、救孤、济困”的初心使命转化为看得见、摸得着的民生温暖。
B | 本次活动聚焦“关爱少年”与弘扬敬老爱老传统美德两大主题，组织城区60余名孤儿、事实无 人抚养儿童（含自愿报名的居住适龄对象），走进巫峡镇敬老院、红叶养老服务中心。
C | 孩子们化身小小志愿者，认真为院内老人整理房间、打扫卫生，用稚嫩的行动陪伴长者，在实践中传承敬老孝亲的传统美德。与此同时，依托福彩公益金支持，主办方为每一名孤儿、事实无人抚养儿童发放500元困难生活帮扶金，以银行转账方式直达个人账户，精准为困境少年纾解生活压力，守护孩子们的成长之路。一老一小，一头连着夕阳安稳，一头牵着朝阳希望。
D | 此次巫山公益行，是重庆福彩责任宣传周的生动缩影，既营造出全社会关心关爱“一老一小”特殊群体的浓厚氛围，也以实地行动展现责任福彩担当，引导更多社会力量主动投身公益事业，涵养互帮互助、崇德向善的文明风尚，以点滴善意促进社会和谐，让福彩公益之光照亮巴渝大地。
E |
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