Written by Jennifer Chien
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
On March 8, 2025, International Women’s Day, Tzu Chi USA’s Headquarters and the Inland Chinese Association (ICA) jointly held an orange-picking charity sale at the orange orchard of former ICA president Gary Liaou. Taking place on a bright Southern California day, the event sought to raise funds to aid survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires in rebuilding their lives.
Witnessed by United States Representative Mark Takano, representatives from varied community organizations, and more than 100 guests, the ICA donated $50,000, as well as the $1,621.20 in proceeds raised from the event, in support of Tzu Chi’s mid-to-long-term relief initiative.
Participants fill bags with freshly picked oranges for the charity event. Photo/Jennifer Chien
Gratitude for Disaster Relief
“Tzu Chi USA has long been a trusted partner in helping communities and school districts in the Inland Empire region. A few days ago, U.S. Representative Judy Chu returned to Washington, D.C. from her visit to the disaster area and introduced Tzu Chi to her party members as one of the most efficient civic organizations involved in wildfire relief, providing great help to the survivors. We will continue working with Tzu Chi to help folks from our community who are in need,” Congressman Mark Takano said.
ICA President Julian Hsieh also shared words of appreciation and support, expressing, “I would like to thank former ICA president Gary Liaou for opening up his orchard on this spring weekend, which he has done every year for the past 10 years, for the ICA’s orange picking charity sale. The proceeds from the event have been used to fund charitable projects in the Inland communities, such as purchasing school supplies and shoes for students from low-income families in the San Bernardino City Unified School District.”
The Los Angeles wildfires have displaced tens of thousands of families. We want to do our part. The ICA hopes that more organizations and donors will be inspired to come together to help with the recovery efforts through our donation to Tzu Chi USA.
Joining Hands in the Inland Region
With the support of Gary Liaou and community leader Dr. Lily Rivera, Tzu Chi USA has regularly held fruit and vegetable distributions and medical outreach events aiding migrant farmworkers and new immigrant families across California’s San Bernardino County.
“We are grateful for Tzu Chi’s long-term care for the Inland area, and glad that this orchard can be the venue for the ICA’s Tzu Chi event. We hope to raise more money for the wildfire survivors through today’s orange-picking event,” said Gary Liaou.
The ICA opens this orchard to the public for charity orange-picking events. We have worked with Tzu Chi to make sure that all of today’s proceeds will go to Tzu Chi for their Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts.
Debra Boudreaux, Chief International Affairs Officer of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, attended the event with Tzu Chi volunteers to accept the donation. Tzu Chi had completed the first phase of the emergency relief distributions at the end of February, Boudreaux said, and on the same day as the orange picking event, Tzu Chi volunteers were holding final distributions at the San Gabriel Valley Service Center and West Los Angeles Service Center for those who’d been approved for assistance but missed previous distributions.
Tzu Chi USA will continue to focus on mid- to long-term recovery of the wildfire-stricken areas, accompanying the survivors as they rebuild.
The atmosphere of the outdoor event is laid back, with relaxed conversation and photo-taking. Photo/Jennifer Chien
Oranges for Charity
More than 100 guests attended the event and participated in the orange-picking excursion. They roamed freely in the orchard, home to more than 700 orange trees, sampling the oranges while basking in the sunshine, and experienced the joy of a bountiful harvest. After enjoying a vegetarian meal prepared by the Inland Chinese Association, guests returned home with bags of oranges, each weighing more than 20 lbs.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people picking oranges,” said community leader Lily Rivera. “Everyone who has lost their home, regardless of the value of their property, needs help. It’s deeply encouraging to see that the Tzu Chi Foundation has once again come to lend a helping hand.”
“My mom heard about this event from her chat group, and told me that we could come and pick some oranges,” shared a participant named Ching Liu. “We don’t usually have the opportunity to do this and contribute to charity at the same time. I had a great time.”
On the day of the event, a representative from the office of Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez, the Riverside County Supervisor for District 5, presented a certificate of commendation to Tzu Chi USA. Rosa Beltran, Vice President of the United Domestic Workers of America, Tom Dolan, Executive Director of the Inland Congregations United for Change, and Luz Gallegos, Executive Director of the Training Occupational Development Educating Communities, spoke at the donation ceremony, recognizing the contributions of both the Inland Chinese Association and Tzu Chi USA to the community.
Hand in hand with the community, we hope to go even further in providing love and relief wherever the path may lead.
