Public good can be a financial donation, but it can also take the form of sincere companionship. The Kaohsiung City University Alumni Association Union (KCUAAU), led by President Liu Bo-Yang, Advising President Hsu Li-Yueh, and Social Responsibility Committee Chairperson Chiu Chen-Cheng and Vice Chairperson Shih Yu-Tong, recently initiated a public welfare initiative. They brought children from Shan-Dao Academy out of their usual environment to experience culture and explore university life—starting with bathing Buddha statues and cultural visits at Fo Guang Shan, followed by professional course experiences at Shu-Te University of Science and Technology, and concluding with a shared dinner. This transformed 'donation' into a day of陪伴 (accompaniment) as children explored their futures.More Than Just a Donation: KCUAAU Takes Children to See Their Future in UniversityThis public welfare effort emphasized 'companionship' over mere material donations. The children first visited Fo Guang Shan to experience its cultural and humanistic atmosphere, then shared a vegetarian lunch at Bai Wei Xuan. Instead of rushing through a donation ceremony, the group walked, observed, and dined together, allowing the children to feel warmth, care, and genuine connection.In the afternoon, they entered Shu-Te University of Science and Technology for a surprising journey of university exploration. The children toured departments including Leisure and Tourism Management, Recreation and Sports Management, and Hospitality and Baking Management. Through hands-on activities such as mixology, flight simulation, sports recreation, Western cuisine, and baking, they gained insight into various academic fields and potential career paths.Notably, children who already learn pineapple cake making at Shan-Dao Academy discovered how their familiar skills could expand further within the university's professional training and advanced equipment. This sparked a more concrete imagination about how learning a skill today could shape their future.At the alumni center THE T Cafe, alumni created personalized 'Shu-Te Student IDs' for each child, allowing them to draw their own portraits and receive an official-looking university identity card, along with a specially prepared 'graduation certificate.' In just one day, these children didn’t just tour a campus—they truly experienced what it feels like to be a university student.Shu-Te University President Wang Zhao-Xiong supports alumni engagement in public service. Director Hsu Long-Chi of the Research and Development Office also gifted文创 products from the Design College to the children. Inspired by Liu Bo-Yang’s philosophy of 'providing an umbrella for those in need,' waterproof-reactive 'Guloo Gu Lu' umbrellas were given to KCUAAU volunteers as souvenirs, symbolizing that someone will always be there to help when children face storms in life.In the evening, the group gathered at Meinong Hakka Cuisine, where the public welfare activity merged with the KCUAAU board and supervisory committee’s annual social event. The children performed a dance and shared reflections from their day. Chiu Chen-Cheng generously hosted the banquet and sponsored the entire day’s charter bus.Shan-Dao Academy also brought handmade pineapple cakes and fruit preserves for an on-site charity sale, embodying the spirit of 'giving with one’s own hands.' Alumni enthusiastically purchased all items, which sold out completely that night—supporting the children’s self-reliance and transforming this act of charity from 'receiving help' into 'giving back.'This event set a new record for KCUAAU in terms of participant numbers. Comprising 11 university alumni associations in Kaohsiung, KCUAAU leveraged cross-institutional collaboration to bring alumni manpower, expertise, resources, and university facilities into public service. This turned charity from isolated donations into a multi-generational, cross-campus, and interdisciplinary act of accompaniment.Liu Bo-Yang expressed his long-standing desire to guide alumni toward innovative forms of public service. Rather than completing a one-time donation, he hopes alumni will contribute their time, expertise, networks, and alma mater resources. He said, 'Perhaps we can only accompany a child for one day, but in that day, we can show them the world, show them a university, share a meal, listen to their thoughts, and let them know many people care about their future.'Liu emphasized that public good doesn’t require large sums of money—sometimes, the willingness to sincerely spend a full day with a child is itself a profound and meaningful act of kindness. Moving forward, KCUAAU will continue to unite alumni strength across institutions, launching diverse public welfare initiatives to accompany children in need as they explore their potential and provide another umbrella of support on their life journeys.