San Dimas, CA, February 4, 2025 — Since the Los Angeles wildfires erupted on January 7, Tzu Chi USA has been committed to providing relief, launching several wildfire relief distributions that provided cash cards and crucial supplies to affected households, with the most recent event on January 28. As of February 4, Tzu Chi has mobilized 813 volunteers who have conducted 18 large-scale distributions, assisting 2,412 affected families, and distributing a total of $2,608,400 in cash cards.

Due to Tzu Chi’s rapid response to the disaster, on February 4, the Preferred Bank team in Southern California visited the Tzu Chi USA San Gabriel Valley Service Center in El Monte to learn more about the Tzu Chi relief distribution process. To support community reconstruction and relief efforts, Preferred Bank provided a generous donation to Tzu Chi USA, which was accepted by Tzu Chi USA CEO Debra Boudreaux.

“Tzu Chi has acted quickly to help hundreds of affected families. Through in-depth exchanges with Tzu Chi, we have come to appreciate the importance of professional disaster relief organizations,” said Gloria Wang of Preferred Bank. “Tzu Chi not only provides psychological support but also plays an important role in providing substantive assistance. We firmly believe that we can work together to bring positive energy to the community, help survivors stand up again, and jointly face the future.”

Tzu Chi USA’s Help Los Angeles Heal mission has gained the support of not only Preferred Bank but also other Asian nongovernmental organizations in Southern California who have expressed their care for the affected families by donating to Tzu Chi. On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, January 29, Bliss & Wisdom Los Angeles representatives Shen Shudong, Sun Qiaoyi, and Lu Yixuan visited Tzu Chi USA’s headquarters. There, they offered New Year’s greetings and presented donations as well, which was accepted by Debbie Lee, CEO of the Tzu Chi USA Education Foundation.

Tzu Chi volunteers will uphold their continued presence at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) located in Altadena and UCLA Research Park West to provide services to disaster survivors.