Wearing a dark blue cap that slightly concealed his face, Jet Li helped unload boxes of powdered milk, clothing, medicine, tents and other emergency supplies from the back of a truck. Like many people around him, he was wearing a One Foundation white T-shirt. Not looking for star treatment, he was just one of the many extras bringing help to the people of Sichuan.
Li, known for his dazzling kung fu moves that have endeared him to millions of cinema goers around the world, has been singled out by Reader’s Digest Asia editors and named Asian of the Year for his humanitarian efforts to help thousands in disaster- hit areas and the less fortunate.
The humble movie star with box-office hits like The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and The Forbidden Kingdom is not doing it for awards or personal glory. Li declined an award ceremony in his honor but plans to donate the $5,000 award money towards charitable causes.
“Reader’s Digest believes in the fundamental goodness of mankind, we celebrate the best in people and the greatness resting within each of us — as well as the universally shared experiences that connect us as a caring global community. Li’s important work at One foundation is a manifest of that,” says Jim Plouffe, editor-in-chief of English magazine for Reader’s Digest in Asia.