Gu Milan consoles children of migrant families at Leizu Primary School in quake-hit Yangting county, Mianyang[Photo/China Daily]

May 12, 2008 changed the lives of many in Sichuan province due to the massive earthquake. For then successful businesswoman, Gu Milan, her life took an about turn and changed her vocation.

She was going about life as usual in downtown Mianyang when the earthquake hit nine counties of Mianyang, Sichuan province.

"All the victims looked lost, their eyes were full of despair and panic," the 42-year-old recalls.

Driven by compassion and without thinking through, Gu helped deliver relief supplies to victims, listened and consoled as many as she could. Her calmness and determination caught the attention of the authorities, who appointed her as a volunteer leader.

On May 13 afternoon, with a piece of cardboard from an instant noodle box, Gu wrote "Wanmei Chuntian (literary meaning perfect spring) Team of Chinese Volunteers" using her lipstick and eyebrow pencil, and formed the first organized voluntary team for Sichuan earthquake.

Realizing the chaotic situation at Jiuzhou Stadium refugee shelter, she started pulling in and organizing the other volunteers to have a systematic distribution of relief supplies to the casualties.

"When I saw anyone who did not look injured, I asked him or her to join the team to register victims and distribute relief supplies," Gu shares.

There were also many, upon seeing her cardboard sign, who voluntarily joined the team. The group expanded quickly and before long, had some 30,000 volunteers, who worked round the clock.

"We hardly had time to drink water, let alone the time to have a good rest. But nothing could stop us then and I will never forget those days. I was deeply impressed by the devotion of the volunteers," Gu says.

The team was the last to retreat, even after all the refugees had left. Gu says she has never regretted abandoning her thriving business to commit her time and energy in the operation of Wanmei Chuntian.

"Before the earthquake, I didn't know anything about volunteer work. Now I know," she says.

"We realize that if every one is prepared to lend a hand to those in need, the society will be in perfect spring forever."

The organization has only 12 staff members, five of whom are full-time, but has hundreds of thousands of registered members, including enterprises. Mostly are still in contact and could be mobilized in time of emergency.

There are also donors. Annually, individuals contribute 120 yuan ($19) or 365 yuan according to their own financial situation, while each company donates 3,650 yuan.

One of the active members, Bai Xiangcui, 63, regularly visits homes for the underprivileged, orphanages, old folks' homes and children of migrant workers.

Together with other members, she brings not only daily necessities, but also imparts health tips.

She is also one of the members of Weifeng Gongs and Drums Team, a branch of Wanmei Chuntian, which has about 30 members. They perform to cheer up those who haven't recover from their loss and during special occasions.

"I feel happy helping others," she says.

Bai is not alone. According to government statistics, volunteer groups have mushroomed over the past few years. There are now nearly 70 volunteer teams throughout the city, including 15 non-government organizations.

To date, some 126,000 people have registered as volunteers. "The earthquake changed the attitude of the people. They feel called to help others," says Chen Shuqin, director of Yiyuan Aixin Association, a non-government organization, which was founded in 2009.

The association has more than 200 individual and organizational members, who raise funds for children of migrant families and homeless elderly.

The NGO once appealed to Mianyang residents for a one-yuan donation each to help the less privileged. To Chen's pleasant surprise, they raised 100,000 yuan within a short time.

The volunteer organizations have gone beyond Mianyang. In April 2010, the second day after the Yushu earthquake, Wanmei Chuntian was on site with relief supplies for the victims.

The following winter, Yiyuan Aixin, together with Wanmei Chuntian and three other volunteer organizations, sent 48,000 pieces of winter clothes to people in the cold.

When the earthquake hit Japan last year, Chen's organization called on Mianyang residents to "donate money so that women and children in darkness can buy a torch".

They collected 50,000 yuan, which was presented to the Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai.

"We received help when we were in trouble, and we are happy to help others," Chen says.