In Changshan county, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, Fu Zhenfang, who made and donated 13,800 pairs of cotton shoes, received widespread recognition for her heartfelt dedication, according to Tide News on Dec 17.

In Kenu village, Daqiaotou township, Changshan county, Fu has spent 17 years making and donating cotton shoes. Each pair is meticulously crafted by her own hands, earning her the endearing nickname "Cotton Shoe Granny".

It all began in the winter of 2007 when Fu saw a donation board for children in mountainous areas, noticing their worn-out shoes. Inspired, she decided to make handmade cotton shoes for these children. Since then, making and donating these shoes to both children and the elderly has become her winter tradition.

Fu Zhenfang makes cotton shoes at home. [Photo/Tide News]

Despite improved living conditions and fewer people needing cotton shoes, Fu continues her labor of love, creating shoes that embody her care and concern for nearby elderly individuals who live alone. These seniors cherish her handmade shoes, feeling a warmth that store-bought shoes can't provide.

By 2013, every senior in Changshan's nursing homes had worn Fu's handmade shoes. Over the years, more than half of the elderly in Quzhou's nursing homes have received her free cotton shoes.