The China Youth Development Foundation will assist enterprises in completing the registration process.

　　Some state-owned enterprises have already entered the “Challenge 8 Hours” registration process, which is more complex for corporate participants compared to individuals.

　　● 8 teams have registered

　　● 97 individuals have registered

　　● RMB 5,811.88 in donations have been received

　　Data sourced from the official website of the China Youth Development Foundation

　　● Eligibility for Participants

　　1. Aged between 18 and 60.

　　2. Must raise a certain amount of donations: four-person teams (corporate/institutional) must raise RMB 50,000; free teams must raise RMB 2,400; individual male and female participants must raise RMB 600.

　　3. Participants in the 40 km race must provide a health certificate issued within the past year.

　　● Deadline for minimum donation amount: August 20

　　● Registration deadline: August 15

　　● Online registration

　　http://challenging8hours.cydf.cn

　　● Hotline

　　010-64035547 010-64790590

　　● On-site registration

　　5th Floor, No. 51 Wangjing West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China Youth Development Foundation

　　Yesterday, reporters learned from the China Youth Development Foundation that some enterprises have expressed interest in participating in the “Challenge 8 Hours” 2012 Charity Hiking Race and have entered the registration process. These companies hope to fulfill their corporate social responsibility while allowing their employees to experience the joy of doing public good. Since corporate registration is more complex than individual registration, the CYDF stated that it will assist enterprises in completing the registration process.

　　The China Youth Development Foundation, in conjunction with the Beijing News, jointly initiated and hosted the “Challenge 8 Hours” 2012 Charity Hiking Race, using a new form of public welfare initiative to raise funds for the “Project Hope Joyful Reading” program.

　　According to current registration statistics, individual registrations still make up the majority. However, the CYDF stated yesterday that some enterprises have started paying attention to the “Challenge 8 Hours” and have decided to register. Some employees have expressed on social media their desire to participate and mentioned they will report back to senior management to suggest team participation, though corporate decision-making also takes time.

　　In addition, because the corporate registration process is relatively more complex than individual registration, these interested companies have not yet completed the process.

　　The CYDF analysis indicates that generally, if corporate executives are interested in sports events and public welfare, they will give more consideration after learning about the project. Currently, the main registrants are state-owned enterprises, with no foreign enterprises joining yet.

　　According to the challenge race rules, the minimum fundraising amount for enterprises is RMB 50,000, with a maximum of 10 teams allowed — meaning a maximum of 40 participants. Compared to the individual minimum fundraising amount of RMB 600, the amount required for corporate participation is significantly higher. The CYDF explained that this includes a RMB 90 activity organization fee per participant, used for transportation, medical assistance, insurance, etc.

　　In addition, at the race site, corporate teams can carry flags, banners, exhibition boards, and other items showcasing their company image for promotion. All donating companies will receive a commemorative bronze plaque awarded by the organizers, and the top five companies in total donations will be invited to attend the opening ceremony of the “Challenge 8 Hours” event. The China Youth Development Foundation will also feature donating companies/institutions on the event’s official website and social media as a token of gratitude.

　　“After all, the minimum fundraising amount for enterprises is 50,000 yuan, which is quite significant, so we also want to seize this opportunity to showcase corporate compassion.” The China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) hopes that more socially minded enterprises will pay attention to the reading issues of children in impoverished mountainous areas.

　　1. Eligibility: Participating enterprises/institutions must donate a minimum of 50,000 yuan, which includes a 90-yuan activity organization fee for each team member to cover transportation, shuttle buses, medical assistance, insurance, and more.

　　2. Team Formation: Each enterprise/institution can form 1 to 10 teams (each team consists of four members, with at least one of the opposite gender), with a maximum of 40 participants per enterprise.

　　3. Registration: Enterprises/institutions should organize their participating teams to register on the official event website (http://challenging8hours.cydf.cn). The team name must include the name of the enterprise/institution.

　　For example, if an enterprise wants to form 10 teams to participate, it can have the team leaders of those 10 teams complete the registration on the challenge event’s official website, then log in to sign up their teams online. The team name must include the name of the enterprise, such as “Enterprise A Team 1.”

　　4. Donation: After completing online registration and filling out the registration information, enterprises do not need to make donations online. However, they must directly transfer the donation to the designated account of the China Youth Development Foundation and inform the CYDF in advance of details such as the number and names of participating enterprise teams. Once the CYDF confirms the donation has been received, they will verify the online registration details and finalize the registration.

　　5. Number Pickup: The CYDF will notify enterprise/institution representative teams to collect their competition numbers and race kits.

　　China Youth Development Foundation Donation Account:

　　RMB Bank: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Dongsi South Branch, Beijing

　　Account Name: China Youth Development Foundation

　　Account Number: 0200001029014484859

　　Foreign Currency Bank: China Merchants Bank, Beisanhuan Branch, Beijing

　　USD Account: 110902151032605

　　SWIFT Code: CMBCCNBS

　　Donation Recipient: China Youth Development Foundation (51 Wangjing West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing)

　　Reminder: When making the donation, please note “Challenge 8 Hours” in the remarks section and provide detailed information such as the enterprise name, contact person, and phone number. Please promptly notify the CYDF after the transfer. Keep the original remittance receipt safe and fax it along with relevant written explanations to 010-64790600.

　　On the trail of the “Challenge 8 Hours” charitable hiking event, there will be a team from this enterprise, dressed in sports attire featuring the logo of Beijing Jin Yuan New Yansha (abbreviated as New Yansha), holding trekking poles, and completing the 25-kilometer course. This year, New Yansha donated 50,000 yuan in the name of the enterprise to the “Happy Reading” project, with 40 employees participating in the hiking challenge.

　　“The labor union has finalized the plan and will soon begin registering employees,” said Fu Yuehong, General Manager of New Yansha. She will personally lead the team, taking employees along to embrace this new form of charitable hiking.

　　When she first heard about using a hiking race to raise funds for rural children, Fu Yuehong was intrigued. “Our employees have a good physical foundation,” she said. The company regularly holds sports competitions like badminton and table tennis, and organizes annual team-building training sessions. Outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain climbing have almost become a routine for employees outside of work. “Last year, we did a 10-kilometer hike,” Fu Yuehong added, noting that this year’s team-building activity has moved to the Yudu Mountain venue of the “Challenge 8 Hours” event.

　　In fact, Fu Yuehong herself is an outdoor sports enthusiast. In her youth, she played basketball on the school team, and now, at 50, she enjoys rock climbing and frequent mountain hikes. Recently, she just traveled to Switzerland to walk on glaciers. With her rich outdoor experience, she has provided plenty of advice to employees preparing for the challenge. “For long treks, you absolutely must choose breathable, durable shoes; otherwise, your feet will get sweaty and uncomfortable over several hours.”

　　This year, New Yansha will provide its participating employees with sportswear including T-shirts and shorts, and the trekking poles used in previous outdoor activities will come in handy again. “The company will also prepare some emergency medications and protective gear for employees, just in case.”

　　“Accomplishing two things with one action—why not?” Fu Yuehong, accustomed to the efficiency of business operations, believes that the event not only strengthens physical health but also supports philanthropy. “Other events we’ve participated in may bring benefits or even profits, but charity is a spending endeavor—and it’s still worth it.”

　　Upon learning that the donations would go toward buying books for children in rural areas, Fu Yuehong wasn’t unfamiliar with the cause. “We’ve been supporting a welfare home in Shanxi for a while, and not long ago, some employees personally delivered picture books and dictionaries to the children. They truly need that kind of spiritual nourishment.”

　　What can a charity event like “Challenge 8 Hours,” which demands both money and effort, actually bring to an enterprise?

　　“A large enterprise must take the long view,” Fu Yuehong said with a smile. She values the “spiritual value” that the event brings to the company more than anything—not every employee has the habit or ability to engage in philanthropy, but the company should provide them with the opportunity to practice it and establish a value system where “helping others is also helping oneself.”

　　Fu Yuehong also hopes to temper young people’s perseverance through such public welfare activities and foster a sense of teamwork among employees. “Walking 25 kilometers is all about endurance, and on a tough journey, encouragement and cooperation from your companions are essential.”

　　Fu Yuehong firmly believes the event will yield tangible results for the company. “Just wait and see—on the day of the race, there will definitely be our employees helping others by holding their arms or carrying their colleagues’ backpacks,” she said confidently.

　　Although the Beijing headquarters doesn’t have many employees, and although not everyone is confident about completing the 25-kilometer walk, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. has decided to donate 50,000 yuan and sign up for the “8-Hour Challenge,” even if they can only form one four-person team.

　　As a company that has long collaborated with the China Youth Development Foundation, E Fund stated that its senior management has been thinking about how the company can engage in meaningful philanthropy and fulfill its social responsibilities. They want to give the Charity Hiking Challenge a try.

　　A representative from E Fund mentioned that the company regularly participates in other public welfare initiatives, such as disaster relief donations, but those efforts often end with the company simply donating money. Employees remain largely unaware of or indifferent to the projects the company supports, resulting in low participation.

　　“We’ve always wanted to find a way to get involved in public welfare activities, and we’ve had some discussions about it. Purely donating money doesn’t do much to spread the concept of philanthropy among employees—we want everyone to actively participate,” the representative said. He believes the Charity Hiking Challenge, which combines public welfare with sports, is an excellent approach to giving back.

　　“If it were just the company organizing a spring outing for a hike in the mountains, it would be a fun day, then it’s over—and there are costs involved.” But the Charity Hiking Challenge is different. For employees who sit in offices all day, this isn’t just an opportunity to get close to nature and exercise. During the activity, employees will also have chances to communicate and reflect, enhance teamwork skills, and engage more deeply with the China Youth Development Foundation while gaining a better understanding of the “Happy Reading” program.

　　Since E Fund’s Beijing headquarters doesn’t have many employees, the company expects to form only one team for the challenge and plans to select capable staff members to participate. “We asked for our colleagues’ opinions, and many were unsure if they could complete such a long distance, but we’re focusing on participation.”

　　The E Fund representative pointed out that due to long hours spent at desks, even with some indoor fitness activities, most employees still experience suboptimal health. The 25-kilometer challenge should be somewhat difficult, so employees need to start training soon. “If this year’s attempt goes well, we’ll consider doing it again in the future.”