Written by Ruoli Huang, Kitty Lu, and Renee Liu
Translated by Ariel Chan
Edited by Patrick McShane
In 2018, the Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history, devastated the mountainous areas of Paradise and Concow, claiming 84 lives. Five years have passed since the tragedy, and many survivors are still unable to rebuild their homes, instead living in trailers without a place of their own. The cold winter is challenging for the mountain residents, however, in December, warmth comes not only from the winter sun but also from the continuous care provided by Tzu Chi volunteers.
On December 17, 2023, Tzu Chi Northwest Region organized an event called “Celebrating Resilience” at Concow Elementary School deep in the mountains. The event aimed to support and inspire the residents of the remote mountain areas, celebrating their resilience and courage in facing difficulties over the past five years while also early celebrating the Christmas season.
The planning of this event was undertaken by disaster long term recovery team from Tzu Chi Chico Recovery Resource Center, California, which came to the Concow mountain area a week before the event to find a suitable venue. The local residents immediately recognized Tzu Chi and warmly welcomed the volunteers. Resources in the mountains are scarce, and it took five years to repair the school’s water supply system and auditorium. Without hesitation, the school allowed Tzu Chi to use the auditorium and kitchen free of charge for the distribution and concert.
75 volunteers and students from San Jose, Chico, Oroville, and Sacramento came to work and serve a total of 41 families and 71 participants from the community. About 150 people were involved in this service event.
Pre-Event Division of Labor and Collaboration
Minjhing Hsieh, the executive director of Tzu Chi USA Northwest Region, personally drove a large rented truck loaded with distributed supplies to the community, arriving in Oroville the night before the event and coming to Concow Elementary School early in the morning. Together with Sacramento volunteers the truck was unloaded and the supplies were organized for distribution.
Inside the venue, Tzu Chi’s youth and parent volunteers divided up their tasks. One group was responsible for packing Da.Ai environmental blankets into eco-friendly bags, while another group packed eco-friendly scarves, chocolates, Bamboo Banks, exquisite Christmas ornaments made from recycled shuttlecocks by the Northern California high school team, and hand-painted congratulatory cards into Tzu Chi gift bags.
Youth and parents from Sacramento division work together to pack gifts for the locals. Photo/Kitty Lu
Five Tzu Chi Young Leaders, participants in Tzu Yo, a program for children aged 5-11, focusing on education in life, character development, life management, and environmental protection, and their parents were not left behind. They were responsible for neatly arranging other donated items for locals in need.
In the Sacramento team, there are two Tzu Yos and their parents who have participated in the Concow winter supplies distribution team every year since 2019. These are parent Lucy and Tzu Yo Steven Huang, parent Vivian and Tzu Yo Sky Luo. This is their third time participating in the distribution event, and at this event, they coordinated and led the other Tzu Yos.
In the busy but well-organized kitchen, volunteers Xue’e Wang and Suzhen Ma, along with the mothers of Tzu Yos, heated hamburger slices, prepared vegetables, spread sauces, and packaged them in lunch bags, working together seamlessly to prepare lunch for everyone.
In addition to the delicious lunch, the venue also provided coffee, tea bags, cocoa powder, and hot water. In the cold mountain area, volunteers offered cups of hot drinks to both volunteers and locals, helping them stay warm despite the chilly weather.
Overflowing Warmth and Music Inspires Hearts
Busy testing microphones and connecting audio cables next to the stage is local musician Justin Mora. Justin was affected by the wildfire and is one of the medium to long-term care recipients assisted by Tzu Chi. Volunteering this time, he also brought colleagues from his music studio to help set up sound and mixing equipment.
In 2018, after the Camp Fire, I received Tzu Chi's cash card, which was a great help to me. I used it to replace the burned music equipment and some household items. Thank you for helping the whole community.
As residents entered the school auditorium one by one, Tzu Shao, Tzu Chi’s youth organization, and adult volunteers warmly greeted them, guiding them through the registration and check-in process. Additionally, each resident could receive a hot lunch prepared by Tzu Chi volunteers. Once the attendees were settled, the celebration event began.
On stage, is host Baba Kauna Mujamal, a disaster case manager from Tzu Chi Chico’s Long Term Recovery Team. With a lively and enthusiastic approach, he created a joyful atmosphere that was complimented by a backdrop of Christmas decorations, making everyone feel the festive spirit.
First on stage were members of Sacramento Tzu Shao, performing the “A Pure Land on Earth movement” with coordinated movements to open the concert. The 18 lively faces won applause from the audience.
Sacramento Tzu Shao performing the “Earth and Wind Fist.” Photo/CM Yung
Skip Culton, who lost his home in Paradise, California due to the Camp Fire, got to know Tzu Chi during the emergency distribution that followed the disaster. A 20-year resident of the area, he formed a connection between locals and Tzu Chi by writing the song “Another Prayer for Paradise.” He performed this song live at the event, evoking tears from many locals as he sang about the beauty Paradise Town once had.
Skip Culton performing “Another Prayer for Paradise.” Photo/CM Yung
We've seen thousands of households getting homes, but there are still thousands of families needing a home. Through social service organizations like Tzu Chi, we can slowly achieve post-disaster reconstruction. Thank you very much for spending this beautiful day with us.
The Tzu Chi Chorus performed the Chinese and English versions of “Love in the Human World” and “One Family,” with Tzu Shao and Tzu Yo members accompanying the songs with sign language, creating a heartwarming atmosphere that elevated the event to a new peak.
Serving as the overall coordinator for this event, executive director Minjhing Hsieh took the stage after the musical performances to express the love and blessings of Master Cheng Yen and all Tzu Chi volunteers.
The chorus brings joy with Christmas songs. Photo/CM Yung
Next, the Sacramento Tzu Shao ABC Trio, who had just completed an elderly care activity in the morning, rushed over from Sacramento, more than 100 kilometers away, accompanied by their parents, to give a splendid performance for the audience.
The Tzu Chi Chorus members, wearing Christmas hats and holding various percussion instruments, performed the Christmas song “Feliz Navidad,” bringing a festive atmosphere to the remote mountainous area, helping to dispel the long-standing gloom that persisted after the disaster. Finally, led by Tzu Chi volunteers, everyone joined in singing the English version of “Love and Care For All,” ending the day’s concert with sincere and moving voices.
Love and Care Builds Bonds
Tzu Chi volunteers always cultivate love and give from the heart without expecting anything in return. It is this spirit of Tzu Chi’s Great Love that has touched many people, and those who have benefited from Tzu Chi are using actions and love to give back to Tzu Chi.
Peter Nelson, a resident of Concow Town, is a retired survivor of the wildfires. He received a Tzu Chi cash card in 2018 and was deeply moved at that time by the gesture. This time, Peter attended the event with his mother. Since his mother was elderly, she couldn’t sit for long and had to leave early. However, before getting in the car to head home, she took a $50 bill from her pocket and donated it. Peter later returned to the concert by himself and personally donated $200 in cash to Tzu Chi.
Five years ago, at my most needy time, only Tzu Chi came forward and provided real help. I am very grateful.
Peter Nelson expressing gratitude to Tzu Chi and donating to help more people. Photo/Kitty Lu
Michael Ashlock, a resident wearing a brown-checkered shirt, came specifically to participate, bringing fresh flowers, a handwritten thank-you card, and a $500 check to express gratitude for the assistance Tzu Chi brought to this mountain town after the wildfire.
As the program was about to end, Minjhing Hsieh stood on the stage to conclude the event, but suddenly two more locals walked to the front of the stage with $40 bills from their pockets, expressing gratitude and wanting to donate to Tzu Chi.
Remembering Struggles and Looking Forward to the Future
Chaih Hsia Phoong, a volunteer from Sacramento, whose parents are also senior Tzu Chi volunteers from Malaysia, encouraged her twin children to join Tzu Shao, and her husband also recently began volunteering. This time, three generations came together to help at the event. Chaih Hsia Phoong, along with two other trainee volunteers, Huang Ruoli and Ma Suzhen, led the Sacramento team of Tzu Shao, Tzu Yo, and parents, serving as the main force for this event.
Chaih Hsia Phoong pointed out that the past week coincided with the end-of-term exams at school, and many young volunteers were busy with academics, unable to gather for practice. They could only learn through videos at home. Only the day before the formal performance did she gather the Tzu Shao at the Sacramento Service Center for intensive practice. Afterward, they went home to review intensively. She expressed deep gratitude for the Tzu Shao’s dedication to practicing amid their busy studies.
Volunteer Chaih Hsia Phoong and three generations of family helping and decorating the venue together. Photo/Kitty Lu
When everyone sings ‘Love and Care’ together, you can see people of different races praying in different ways, blessing this land to be free from disasters. That touched me especially.
After the event, executive director Minjhing Hsieh emphasized: “So many disaster-affected fellow residents have endured these five years with great difficulty because reconstruction is a very long process. With this event, the most important thing is to let them feel that Tzu Chi, as a big family, is supporting them from behind, giving them more confidence and courage to continue on the path of reconstruction. This is our greatest intention.”
Continuing he said “The mid-to-long-term reconstruction after disasters in the United States indeed takes a very long time because it involves many regulations and various considerations. In this long recovery period, the most important thing is to accompany and support the survivors. I feel that it is very rare and very good for Tzu Chi in the United States to spend five years doing mid-to-long-term companionship. It is a very precious and valuable learning experience. I hope that in the future, in post-disaster reconstruction services, we can find a better position and play a larger role.”
As the fog gradually enveloped the mountainous area after the event, the weather became colder. This celebration generated positive energy, bringing warmth and hope to the area. The devastating Camp Fire ruthlessly took many lives and homes, but because of the resilience of the survivors and the love of Tzu Chi volunteers, survivors bravely walked through a challenging five years. Tzu Chi fulfilled the promise made five years ago, continuing to accompany the survivors, never leaving their side.
