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ust after 6 PM on April 28, 2024, a massive fire began at the Bridle Path Apartments in Randolph, Massachusetts. Without a working sprinkler system inside, the multi-family building was damaged extensively, experiencing multiple collapses – including the roof and walls, as dedicated firefighters raced against time. The building, however, was tragically lost, displacing more than 80 community members. Tzu Chi USA’s Boston Service Center volunteers set out to assess the situation on May 2, and soon after, on May 11, a relief distribution was held. A total of 15 volunteers participated in the event, providing cash cards, packs of instant noodles, eco-blankets, and shawls to survivors.
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Near the end of April 2024, over 100 tornadoes struck parts of the Midwest and Great Plains in the United States, causing heavy damage and loss of life, with the town of Sulphur, Oklahoma, being among the hardest-hit areas. On May 10, Tzu Chi volunteers went to Sulphur to distribute relief supplies to the survivors and help them overcome immediate challenges on their recovery journey.
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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) – Taiwan’s largest company and the world’s second-most valuable semiconductor company – announced the construction of a 5-nanometer advanced semiconductor fab in Arizona in 2020. As TSMC moved into the area and sent hundreds of engineers to the U.S., the families of those who came to the U.S. formed a new Chinese community called TSMC Village. However, frightening and unprecedented challenges soon emerged. Today, these families continue to give back.
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The Park Fire in Northern California occurred on July 24 and caused severe damage to the lives of residents in the Chico neighborhood. 636 buildings were completely destroyed, and 49 buildings were affected. Tzu Chi Northwest Region volunteers quickly applied for disaster relief after the disaster and held the first day of cash card distribution at the Local Assistance Center established in Chico on Saturday, August 10. The next day, Sunday, the 11th, the distribution continued at Tzu Chi’s Chico office to provide timely emergency support for the survivors who were hit by the unpredictable disaster.
News and Updates
The Park Fire in Northern California broke out on the afternoon of July 24, 2024, Pacific Time. The wildfire originated in the mountains near Chico in Butte County. The fire spread rapidly and continued to expand. As of August 8, it had become the fourth-largest single wildfire in California history. On August 5, Butte County established a Local Assistance Center (LAC) in Chico, where various relief organizations assembled to provide emergency assistance to the survivors, expecting to keep the LAC open for two weeks. A Tzu Chi USA Northwest Region volunteer team immediately set up a service station to register the needs of the survivors and offer the most timely assistance and care.
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On Sunday, July 14, 2024, Tzu Chi USA Northwest Region volunteers from Chico, California, held a caring disaster relief distribution for Apache Fire survivor families at the African American Family & Cultural Center in Oroville. Seven families came to receive cash cards, Tzu Chi eco-blankets, and supplies that day. With the timely support of Tzu Chi volunteers, they were better equipped to face short-term challenges after the wildfire.
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From June 27 to 30, Tzu Chi media volunteers from across the United States gathered for the 2024 Tzu Chi USA Media Team Retreat held at the Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters campus in San Dimas, California. With great interest and enthusiasm, they took part in over 20 diverse hands-on courses, actively honing their videography, photography, and writing skills, gaining insight into the power of social media, and learning about copyright laws and other relevant issues. At the same time, the retreat attendees deepened their understanding of Tzu Chi’s humanistic culture and how documentation allows more people to discover the world of Tzu Chi and its spirit of putting compassion into action and daily giving to help those in need.
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In a heartwarming display of community spirit and unwavering dedication, volunteers gathered again at our Tzu Chi Health Center in South El Monte on May 21, 2024, to reflect on and enhance their contributions to its waiting area. This gathering marked the second reunion since the initial meeting on January 30, 2024, which aimed to bring volunteers back to Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Health Centers. The continued commitment of these volunteers plays an essential role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for patients.
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On May 18, 2024, Barnes Memorial Park in Monterey Park was the epicenter of a joyous celebration as Tzu Chi Medical Foundation participated in a Taiwanese American Heritage Week Festival and a Mental Health & Wellness Fair. Both events were a spectacular success, drawing in thousands of visitors eager to experience Taiwan's rich cultural tapestry and access vital mental health and wellness resources.
News and Updates
On Sunday, April 28, 2024, Tzu Chi USA Mid-Atlantic Region volunteers in New Jersey held a large-scale free dental clinic event at St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral, a Catholic church in Camden, providing residents with services such as scaling, dental checkups, oral cancer screening, and dental health hygiene education. Doctors Botang Wen, Yulei Guo, and Kim Young, assisted by 40 Tzu Chi volunteers, provided dental care to 23 patients and presented an oral hygiene class to 28 residents. When the patients smiled after receiving care, it was the moment all those serving felt the joy of helping others selflessly and seeing the heartwarming results of their free services firsthand.