July 30 marks International Day of Friendship.
On this day dedicated to understanding,
kindness and connection, we turn our eyes across the ocean to Dayton,
Ohio, USA. Ever since Fuyao America became part of this community,
Fuyao team members of diverse races and cultures have jointly
embodied the meaning of “friendship”
in the security of countless homes,
and in the warmth of shared meals.
Building Homes With Our Own Hands
On March 12, 2021, the
Mahder family joyfully received the keys to their new home from the
He‑Ren Foundation USA (founded by Fuyao Group). Overjoyed, Mahder held
the keys high above his head.
This house was built by 100 Fuyao volunteers. More than 60 wall
and panel sections were assembled with great care.
Mahder’s daughter had moved frequently with the family. Each time
she would ask timidly: “How long can we stay this time?”
On that day, Mahder could finally answer her: “This is our own
home, the house we have long dreamed of. We will never have to move again.”
In the Dayton community where Fuyao America operates, many people
like the Mahders long for stability. Some are immigrants, some have
lost their jobs, and others face family hardships that leave them
without stable housing.
Seeing their struggles, Fuyao America partnered with local
nonprofit Habitat for Humanity. Beyond financial donations, Fuyao
America organized volunteers to build homes for vulnerable families
brick by brick.
On July 21, 2023, the second home built by Fuyao volunteers was
officially handed over. The recipient Gail had long lived in rental
housing. Three generations of her family squeezed into one small room,
constantly worrying about unaffordable rent hikes. Today her family
lives in a spacious three‑room house of over 100 square meters.
Looking around her new home, Gail knows every nail and beam carries
the hard‑won effort and goodwill of Fuyao volunteers. hanks to this
kindness, three generations of her family can now sit peacefully by
the window on afternoons, enjoying the warmth of sunlight.
In September 2025, the He‑Ren Foundation USA made another
USD 50,000 donation for local housing construction. This will be the
third charity home built jointly by the foundation and Fuyao
volunteers. Since its founding in 2017, the He‑Ren Foundation USA has
continuously supported non‑profits including the Dayton Foundation,
Dayton Children’s Hospital and American Red Cross Dayton Chapter. Its
donations cover education, social services, family assistance and
cultural integration.
From Warm Meals to Sincere Care
Beyond housing security, Fuyao team members turned to a more everyday need: food access.
Starting in 2017, through the Dayton Food
Bank, Fuyao America donated roughly 1,500 turkeys and 1,000 boxes of
chocolates over Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, bringing holiday
warmth to families in need. On July 11 this year, 18 Fuyao volunteers
braved rain to take part in the food bank’s garden and greenhouse
project. Undeterred by heavy rain, they enthusiastically loaded
fertilizer made from recycled food waste, harvested fresh produce and
planted lettuce in greenhouses. These vegetables later reached local
families’ dinner tables, while waste recycling made the acts of
kindness more sustainable.
Clara Parrish, Campus Director of Dayton Food Bank, offered
special thanks: “The food bank could not operate smoothly without
volunteer support from local companies such as Fuyao.”
At Ruskin Public Elementary School, Fridays bring no easy relief for many children. For the following two days, they lose access to reliable school lunches. Fuyao America partnered with the Children’s Hunger Alliance. The He‑Ren Foundation USA donated USD 50,000 to provide weekend meal kits for over 100 children for the full school year. Each kit contains two breakfasts and four lunch‑dinner sets, delivered regularly to students starting in spring 2024.
On
April 26 of that year, volunteers from Fuyao America’s ARG Packaging
Department went to the school in person to hand out meal kits.
Workshop supervisor Zheng Wuqiang commented: “Seeing the smiles on
children’s faces fills me with great joy. We have received help from
others, and now it is our turn to give back.”
Brian Etzgard, Principal of Ruskin Elementary School, remarked:
“Words cannot fully express our gratitude. Thank you sincerely for
Fuyao’s support.”
In addition, Fuyao team members care for retired seniors in the community during cold seasons. On November 11, 2022, the He‑Ren Foundation USA donated 500 winter care kits containing warm scarves, hand warmers and daily necessities. One elderly recipient told volunteers softly: “It feels like receiving a letter from home in winter.”
Up to now, Fuyao America and the He‑Ren Foundation USA have donated more than USD 2.25 million to local communities. Behind these figures stand real people, warm meals and homes with lights turned on.
Since starting production in the United
States in 2016, Fuyao has received strong support from local
communities and residents, building mutual trust and integration.
Over ten years, more than 3,000 local residents have joined Fuyao
America. The company has also set up an employee hardship assistance
fund. Workers gain steady incomes, while nearby restaurants,
supermarkets and neighborhoods have regained vitality. Countless other
heart‑warming efforts like home‑building and meal‑kit programs have
taken place over the years.
From Dayton construction sites to
food‑bank gardens
From the Mahders’ new home to children’s schoolbags
From holiday turkeys to “letters from home”
Fuyao people’s kindness transcends language, skin color and
national borders
embracing the spirit of “neighborliness” woven into every dawn and
dusk of this small American city
"Honor Heaven, Love Humanity"
Let us respect and understand every culture and every individual
"Pursue Supreme Goodness"
Let us respond sincerely to every need and every real‑world task
This cross‑border friendship carries on
Reaching farther
Lighting more homes
Text & Photos: Shi Lei
Editors: Shi Ao, Jia Qi
Design: Tian Long
