Written by Penny Liu
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
In November 2025, Tzu Chi USA Southern Region volunteers in Houston, Texas, continued caring for disadvantaged students through the Happy Campus program, bringing comfort to families in need ahead of winter. The volunteer team visited three schools to distribute winter coats: Landis Elementary School on November 13, Smith Elementary School on November 18, and Ed White Elementary School on November 26. Volunteers distributed approximately 90 winter coats across the three schools, helping children stay warm and attend school without worry as temperatures drop.
Children's Smiles are the Most Heartfelt Thanks
Bright smiles lit up the children’s faces as they tried on their new coats at each of the three schools the Happy Campus team visited in November. What moved the volunteers most was seeing how many students immediately recognized them from past distributions. The children approached with eager greetings, and the warm encounters turned a simple coat fitting into a moment of genuine connection. For the children’s parents, many of whom face financial hardship, the coats also meant one less worry as colder weather set in.
“All the supplies we receive from the Tzu Chi Foundation truly make a meaningful difference for our families,” said Shawn Verow, principal of Smith Elementary School. “We have a very high poverty rate here, especially in this part of the city. Therefore, any donation is extremely important to our families, and they are deeply grateful for this support. It not only helps several families but also supports our entire staff, because our families are very closely connected to our school, largely due to the support they receive from the surrounding community. We are truly thankful for all the assistance you provide to our campus.”
At Landis Elementary School, the timing of the winter coats also carried added meaning in November. “It’s Thanksgiving season and we’re learning about having gratitude and receiving and giving. As much as we receive, we have to give away,” Brenda Baldesi, Student Support Manager at Landis through Communities In Schools of Houston, a nonprofit that connects students and families with school-based support services, said.
Baldesi also expressed appreciation for the blessing cards that Tzu Chi Academy, Houston students helped prepare. “The fact that they added a personalized note for each child, I just thought that it was very thoughtful and very sweet. So the kids can connect knowing that another kid made that note for them and that kid and their family came together to give them a jacket and encourage them with the same message, to give.” The blessing cards were a touching detail, and Tzu Chi Academy, Houston students and parents went even further this year to support the winter coat distribution.
Tzu Chi Academy Families Double the Love
This year’s winter coat distribution featured a special highlight. For the first time, students and parents from Tzu Chi Academy, Houston, jointly participated in the Happy Campus winter distribution and initiated a fundraising campaign, contributing over $500 toward coat purchases. This collective act of kindness from the community and families added an extra layer of care to the event, allowing children to experience the meaning of “joy in helping others” through action.
“This initiative was proposed by the principal and teachers of Tzu Chi Academy, Houston, who wanted children to learn about giving,” Julienne Chi, a Deputy Executive Director of Tzu Chi USA’s Southern Region, shared. “They launched the winter coat donation campaign, which was supported by families raising funds together. The children also helped prepare blessing cards by coloring and decorating them, ensuring every recipient received a piece of heartfelt warmth.” Volunteers later attached the blessing cards to each drawstring bag containing a winter coat, adding an extra note of encouragement for every child.
It was truly a heartwarming collaboration. We are delighted to have achieved such an outcome, creating a beautiful connection where giving and receiving warmth intertwine.
Penny Liu, a Deputy Executive Director of Tzu Chi USA’s Southern Region, described how Happy Campus visits have long included time with children beyond distributions. “Before the pandemic, we frequently interacted with the children, sharing Jing Si Aphorisms with them. The children were very receptive and delighted to engage with us. We sometimes led them in small games, and the overall atmosphere was wonderful.”
She added that volunteers also make space to connect with educators and learn what students need most. “Typically, we arrange for volunteers and teachers to sit down and chat, learning about the children’s experiences at school and in class. We also introduce Tzu Chi to the teachers, promote vegetarianism. We share with them Jing Si Aphorisms to explore if the Aphorisms could be integrated into their classroom activities.”
Spreading Warmth Through Compassion and Gratitude
The winter distribution across three schools in the Houston, Texas area in November 2025 reflected Tzu Chi’s spirit of “Taking compassion as the core, and gratitude as the driving force.” Volunteers emphasized that the event’s success was made possible through the collective support of schools, donors, and community supporters.
At the same time, the winter coat distributions did more than keep children warm. They also gave Tzu Chi Academy, Houston students and families a chance to experience what it means to give.
Carolyn Chen, Vice Principal of Tzu Chi Academy, Houston, reflected on what Tzu Chi Academy students, and children everywhere, can learn when they take part in giving. “Often, my greatest takeaway is self-reflection, how to explain to my children when I’m back home that everything we possess is truly fortunate and blessed, and thus we must understand the importance of giving back and contributing. While the Happy Campus initiative is charitable work, it is closely tied to education. So we often ask ourselves, what more can we do? From what perspective, and from where we stand, can we give even more? Beyond providing school supplies, uniforms, or coats to children and families in need, what matters most is educating our own children, especially those who are already fortunate, to cultivate positive thinking and learn gratitude and generosity.”
As for the students served through this Happy Campus program winter coat distribution, each time they zip up their coats, read the blessing cards, or meet the volunteers again, they will feel the steady reassurance of being seen and cared for in their hearts. The Tzu Chi USA Southern Region team hopes to continue expanding its Happy Campus program services, bringing warmth and hope to more schools in Houston, allowing kindness to keep circulating within the community.
