Guangbin operates his shoe-repairing machine in his workshop in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Aug 28.(Photo by Zhou Huiying/chinadaily.com.cn)
Meng Guangbin runs a shoe repair shop in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province.
In the past 29 years, he has mended over 120,000 shoes for free and donated more than 30,000 yuan.
The 54-year-old shoemaker arrived in Harbin from Dongping county, Shandong province, in 1988 and since then devoted himself to his business. During the past three decades he has won many honors including being named one of the 10 Outstanding Volunteer of Heilongjiang, one of the 10 Persons Who Move Harbin and the May 1 Labor Medal.
He has also been dubbed the "Lei Feng Shoemaker" for his kindness and work ethic.
In 1998, he became the first rural migrant worker to become a Party member province.
"I have been following the example of Lei Feing, a social paragon known for his unselfishness and devotion to the Communist Party of China, since I was a teenager," said Meng. "After joining the Party, I fortified my faith that to serve the people is my duty, especially those who are in extreme need."
In 1998, he registered "Lei Feng" as the name of his shop, which became the first trademark named as Lei Feng in the country.
Every weekend and holiday, he rides his bike to the troops, the welfare homes and the communities where he provides help to the soldiers, the disabled and people in poor.
In addition, he taught the skills of mending shoes to the soldiers and donated nine shoe-repairing machines and some repairing materials to them, which was well received.
Meng is very conscientious in his workshop.
"Although it is quite a small thing to mend a shoe, I have to earn the respect and trust of my customers," said Meng. "I choose the best material and don't use the same material repeatedly."
And the low price he charges also attracts lots of customers.
As a national delegate candidate to the 19th CPC National Congress, he has prepared his proposals for the coming meeting.
"I am living and working on the grass roots, so I have to reflect the aspirations of the grass roots," said Meng. "I will pay much of my attention on the aged and the college students."
