“Today, Tzu Chi Foundation wants to announce to survivors from the Camp Fire that those who need help should register online as soon as possible, or go directly to the Chico Disaster Relief Center (DRC). The Tzu Chi Foundation volunteers will help them register,” Huang Hankuei, CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation US, said. Huang asked the media reporter to help convey this important message to Camp Fire survivors.
Huang then announced that Tzu Chi Foundation US has launched a new plan called Hope Heals, which will be another large-scale disaster relief fundraising project to support survivors of the Camp Fire.
Jafet Serrato is a reporter for local television station Action News Now. He confirmed with Xie Mingjin, CEO of Tzu Chi Northern California, the total amount of cash cards already issued to survivors from Tzu Chi in the three weeks since the mountain fire occurred. The cash cards were issued from the Thanksgiving holiday until November 30 and were planned to be sent to more than 2,000 affected households.
The amount has now reached 1.2 million. “Tzu Chi Foundation volunteers arrived in the disaster area on the second day that the mountain fire occurred. We hope that through the disaster relief operation, this unfortunate place of tragedy will be transformed into a place full of hope,” Xie said.
That’s why Tzu Chi USA launched the Hope Heals fundraising campaign with plans to start with local Californians to raise money for Paradise City survivors. The campaign will then spread from local Californians to all over United States.
Mike Zuccollilo is a Council Member of Paradise City. At the time of establishment of the DRC, Zuccollilo took it upon himself to set up a Facebook page to broadcast disaster relief messages from Tzu Chi USA to survivors within the community. Tzu Chi volunteers were touched by Zuccollilo’s initiative to assist in the disaster relief efforts for the community.
Zuccollilo expressed his gratitude to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation on behalf of the townspeople. He is very grateful to Tzu Chi for its compassionate efforts to assist Camp Fire survivors. Through the power of the news media and social networking sites, Zuccollilo is sure that the launch of the Hope Heals fundraising campaign will be instrumental in the community’s recovery.
“How long will Tzu Chi Foundation stay in the disaster area?” one reporter asked.
“We will always be there until the Disaster Recovery Center completes the mission,” the Tzu Chi volunteers replied. Go
