"More important, it made me feel less guilty toward my parents, who had been working so hard to earn money for their children's education," he said.

Burdened by supporting two children's schooling, Zhang's father had to take several jobs at construction sites and factories during holidays because salaries were higher than the rest of the year.

Doing manual labor during the chilly winters, Zhang's father suffered from frostbite on both feet rather than buy a pair of warm shoes.

Zhang said he appreciated the opportunity to become the first university student in his family.

He was proud that he could get by without the foundation's financial assistance in his second year at college because of the scholarships won for academic excellence and the temporary jobs he took on campus.

The foundation has raised 269 million yuan to support needy students in recent decades. Since 2007, its financial aid has prevented more than 21,000 high school students from dropping out because of poverty.

At the ceremony, the foundation saluted the corporate and private donors for their support. China Minsheng Banking Corp was honored as the largest donor, giving more than 62 million yuan to the project.

The foundation also invited 90-year-old Wu Guanyun and her husband to attend the ceremony.

Wu has donated more than 218,000 yuan since 2003 to the project, helping about 100 poor students.

"I will continue donating until I die, and if I pass away someday, my children will carry on," said Wu, a retired medical scientist from Beijing.

hedan@chinadaily.com.cn