On the morning of May 10, a serious traffic accident occurred at the intersection between Vinh - Cua Lo Avenue and Le Nin Avenue (Vinh City, Nghe An), seriously injuring 3 people, dozens of tons of watermelon spilled onto the road.
At this time, the congee pot volunteer group that loves Thanh Vinh arrived in time, collected watermelons in one place to clear the road, then organized a sale to help the driver.
Many people were also present, joining hands with the volunteer group to rescue watermelon to help the victims.
The group had a creative way of doing things: using a styrofoam box, sticking the words "Supporting the victims of accidents". Passersby are free to take melons, calculate and put money in boxes depending on their kindness and personal conditions.
The information quickly spread on social networks, many people in Vinh City joined hands to buy watermelon to help the driver's family in the accident. All proceeds will be publicly counted and a representative will be sent to the family.
It is worth mentioning that at the time of the incident, the group had just completed giving more than 3,000 hot congee to patients at 5 medical facilities in Vinh City and the Center for the care of People with Disabilities and Orphans in Nghi Loc District.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh - Deputy Head of the Provincial Red Cross Society's Propaganda Department, a core member of the group - said: From 1am, the members were on duty to cook congee, and at 5am, they started congee distribution at Nghe An Lung Hospital, Military Hospital 4, Traditional Medicine Hospital, Vinh General Hospital, City Hospital, Facility 1 and Nghi Van Commune Orphanage and Disabled Children's Center. Despite the discovery of an accident near the area, they still completed the congee distribution task and returned to support the transportation of watermelon before they could eat breakfast.
In addition, on May 9 and 10, the group gave 180 meals to cancer patients and dialysis patients at Military Hospital 4. This is a regular activity, in addition to many charity programs such as giving Tet gifts, wrapping banh chung, repairing houses, and flood relief.
Established at the end of 2017, the group has so far given away more than 540,000 free congee. Members from many professions, some with disabilities, still regularly travel dozens of kilometers per week to participate in cooking congee.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh shared: We just hope to bring some warmth to the sick, especially the poor. A bowl of hot congee, a greeting can also give them more confidence in their treatment journey.
