ConocoPhillips China Holds Christmas Celebration and Donates to Support Development of Light and Love School

December brought with it the cold Siberian winds of winter - making Beijing shiver.  Despite such bitter temperatures outside, warmth of happiness and love could be felt emanating from the Light and Love School in Shunyi on December 9th. Motivated by the children’s beautiful smiles and warm hugs, more than 70 employee volunteers from ConocoPhillips China and their family members went on this special annual “Christmas Date” at the Light and Love School. This year marked the 13th year that ConocoPhillips China has celebrated the holiday with the children. Volunteers organized mini sports contests, with over 100 students and teachers participating, and, as always, Santa Claus arrived to make Christmas deliveries to the children in celebration of this traditional Western festival.

(Employee volunteers from ConocoPhillips China held the Christmas Mini Sports Party with students and teachers from the Light and Love School)

During the sports events, ten teams from the Light and Love School and ConocoPhillips China competed in games, including Ball Passing, Chariot Race, Kangaroo Jump, Basketball Shooting and Tug of War. The party fostered close interaction, inducing constant laughter and happiness in both participants and volunteers alike throughout the day.

 (A Light and Love School student joyfully participating in the Kangaroo Jump)

Shi Qinghua, founder and headmaster of the Light and Love School, said with emotion, “Every year when Christmas is approaching, our children look forward to seeing their friends from ConocoPhillips China. Over the past decade, many students have graduated and many students have recently joined us, but what remains unchanged is the love and care shown by the ConocoPhillips China volunteers who come here every year.”

(ConocoPhillips China and Light and Love School students demonstrated the spirit of teamwork during the Ball Passing game)

Bill Arnold, President of ConocoPhillips China, was deeply touched by the enthusiasm of the children and the employee volunteers, stating that, “I hope we can bring them the joy of Christmas and warm their hearts, while also offering practical help.” Mark Wheeler, former President of ConocoPhillips China, who will be leaving China to retire from the company, has been a longstanding supporter of the Light and Love School and shared how he would never forget the warm smiles of the children.

 (Bill Arnold, President of ConocoPhillips China, interacted with the children from the Light and Love School and brought gifts to help them realize their Christmas wishes)

ConocoPhillips China’s volunteers proudly participate in this meaningful event. “I have participated in the Christmas event with the children from the Light and Love School for five years already. Seeing the enthusiasm and anticipation in their eyes is among my best memories”, said Zhu Qingrong, an employee of ConocoPhillips China.  

In addition to the annual Christmas event, ConocoPhillips China helps address the challenges facing the Light and Love School, including the difficulty in maintaining suitable teaching and living conditions throughout the year. During exceptionally cold winters, the company donate funds to cover the gas heating fees for the school, ensuring the children have sufficient warmth to learn effectively and live comfortably. Furthermore, upon learning that the school was short on funds to upgrade the old equipment in the multi-media classrooms, ConocoPhillips China donated hundreds of computers and IT equipment to both the Beijing campus and the Jinzhai campus in Anhui province to help improve the school’s education capacity on information technology. Yang Yumin, Vice-President of ConocoPhillips China, visited the Jinzhai campus to learn first-hand about the school’s education environment and operations, and engaged in numerous in-depth discussions with the school’s principle regarding future support to the campuses.

(Yang Yumin, Vice-President of ConocoPhillips China, and the Principal and Students of Jinzhai Campus of Light and Love School)

 (Children were reluctant to part with ConocoPhillips China’s volunteers)

Light and Love School is a non-profit school. It has helped more than 1,600 severely underprivileged and homeless students, providing education and accommodations, as well as psychological guidance and teaching behavioral norms to help the students grow into healthy and educated adults with positive outlooks.  

Since 2005, ConocoPhillips China has supported Light and Love School through public donations and volunteer services. Donations are mostly used to provide classrooms, dormitories, medical care and other necessary facilities to students, and nearly 2,000 students have benefited from this program. ConocoPhillips China will continue the long-term support for Light and Love School – with a focus on securing and improving these children’s academic development and mental growth. Grounded on the belief that equal access to education is the basis of sustainable development, ConocoPhillips China is committed to providing educational opportunities for children in need.

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About ConocoPhillips China  

As the world’s largest independent E&P company based on production and proved reserves, ConocoPhillips has been a committed partner in China since the early 1980s and continues to be one of the largest foreign investors in China’s upstream oil and gas sector. For more than 37 years, ConocoPhillips has expanded its overall business scope in China across various fields, including oil and gas exploration and production, LNG supply and other relevant business services. At present, ConocoPhillips has offices in Beijing and Tianjin (Tanggu).