As the Double Ninth Festival approaches once again, the Department of Manufacturing Engineering's Party Branch has united its student and Youth League branches to preserve China's cultural heritage and uphold the virtues of 'respecting, loving, and supporting the elderly.' Representatives of vocational and undergraduate students from the department's dormitory visited Liangcheng Street Community to craft Double Ninth cakes by hand. These heartfelt gifts were then delivered to the community nursing home, where they provided the elderly with a unique blend of warm homemade treats and artistic companionship, offering them a special holiday touch of care.
On October 28, the Liangcheng Street Community Activity Center buzzed with warmth as teachers and students guided elderly residents through making Chongyang cakes (a traditional Double Ninth Festival pastry). From kneading dough and mixing fillings to shaping molds and decorating with osmanthus flowers, each step carried deep respect for the seniors. Though their techniques were still a bit rough, the team worked in perfect harmony. Soon, beautifully crafted cakes with fragrant aromas were ready. Seeing their creations, the students beamed with pride, saying, "These homemade cakes mean more to us. We hope the elders can truly appreciate this heartfelt gesture."
Later, teacher and student representatives brought freshly baked Chongyang cakes (a traditional Double Ninth Festival cake) to Liangcheng Street Nursing Home. As soon as the door opened, elderly residents approached with their canes, smiling warmly. The students immediately offered the cakes, some carefully handing them to the seniors while gently reminding them, "Take your time, Grandpa and Grandma—be careful not to burn yourself." Others sat on benches, holding the elders' hands and asking, "Have you added more clothes since the weather turned colder?" or "What do you usually do in the courtyard?" These thoughtful gestures filled the nursing home with warmth. When 85-year-old Grandma Zhang accepted the cake, her eyes lit up like a crescent moon after taking a bite: "This cake is so soft and sweet—it even surpasses store-bought versions! Having you here with us makes eating anything else seem like a joy."
In a relaxed setting, teacher and student representatives proposed a song performance for the elderly to convey blessings through music. As the accompaniment began, Party members and League members sang in unison "The Strong Army Battle Song." The stirring melody and resolute voices not only showcased the youthful energy of the students but also reminded the elderly veterans of their past struggles, with many clapping softly to the rhythm. The music then shifted to the gentle and soothing "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion," its elegant lyrics— "The Orchid Pavilion calligraphy, running script like flowing clouds and water" —paired with the students 'soft harmonies, made the elderly listen quietly, their faces beaming with contentment. After the performance, 78-year-old Grandpa Li couldn't help but clap: "You sang so well! One song was powerful, the other was graceful—both were delightful to hear!"
This collaborative initiative not only deepened students 'practical understanding of the traditional virtue of' respecting and caring for the elderly, 'but also delivered tangible care to seniors through a' practice + cultural engagement 'approach. Participants remarked,' As aspiring Party members, we must lead by example in practicing these virtues while inspiring fellow members to act together, using our youthful energy to uplift more people. 'Members also pledged to actively participate in volunteer services, bridging academic knowledge with societal needs to demonstrate youth responsibility. The Liangcheng Subdistrict official highly commended the event, stating,' The collaboration between university Party organizations and communities has given elderly care more tangible forms, drawing greater public attention to seniors. We look forward to more such heartwarming partnerships in the future.'
Department of Manufacturing Engineering Contributions
Zhang Xiaojing (Text, Photo)