Written by: Jiali Liu and Judy Su
Translated by: H.B. Qin
Edited by: Adriana DiBenedetto
On October 9, 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, generating at least 40 tornado reports as Milton gradually churned across the Florida peninsula and finally out over the Atlantic Ocean. Communities were battered by strong winds and heavy rain, which impacted homes, and left over two million Florida residents in the dark. What’s more, this storm came after Hurricane Helene’s deadly landfall in Florida just two weeks prior.
On October 21, Tzu Chi USA’s Miami Service Center volunteers drove more than two and a half hours to Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County to assess the situation. After Tzu Chi’s assessment mission concluded, relief distributions began. On November 16, a distribution was held at Lakewood Park Church, aiding 73 affected families and 205 survivors.
The Spirit of Relief
The volunteers’ first encounter with Jeanna McKamey occurred as early as their disaster survey within the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village on October 21. The community had been severely affected by the disaster. When the volunteers arrived at the impacted area at the time, there were hardly any people in sight. The road was hushed. Seeking out survivors, they ultimately met Jeanna, who was clearing away the storm’s aftermath from her yard. After understanding Tzu Chi’s mission, Jeanna shared her story, as well as her hope that in doing so, more people would unite to help others affected by the disaster.
In addition, when Jeanna learned about the challenges encountered by volunteers in obtaining a list of survivors’ needs and names, she offered to help as they went door-to-door to gather details that would enable Tzu Chi to provide relief. Since October 21, Jeanna has been collecting information on behalf of fellow hurricane survivors, and through her own efforts, she collected information for 24 severely affected households that accounted for nearly one-third of the distribution’s attendees.
“On October 21, five Tzu Chi volunteers came to my home to ask about my situation,” shared Jeanna. “They were very respectful and expressed great sincerity and care. This gave me hope when my home was damaged by the hurricane, because that’s what we need most at this moment. That’s why I offered to help Tzu Chi, to take on the job of collecting information on the survivors, which is not really easy because many of them have already been evacuated in an emergency. I had to visit them door to door. I sincerely thank Tzu Chi, it is your belief in helping others that brings compassion, love, and hope to those of us who are less fortunate. I can feel the deep bond between us. As Tzu Chi said, we are family.”
Support Across Generations
On November 16, thirty-five volunteers from Tzu Chi USA’s Miami Service Center arrived at the distribution site before 9 AM to set up the site and organize supplies. Of these volunteers, 25 arrived at the distribution site on a bus provided by Mark Brooks and his daughter, Denise Brooks. In addition to providing transportation and driving it free of charge, the father-daughter team also served as Spanish translators for the distribution.
“A few years ago, I met Tzu Chi Miami volunteer Fangying Wang at a logistics job, and she asked me if I would like to volunteer to help out as a translator,” Mr. Brooks explained. “It was a great experience, so I quickly got involved again. As time went by, we lost touch with each other due to job changes, but recently Fangying Wang contacted me again and invited me to participate in the hurricane distribution, to which I immediately said ‘yes,'” continued Mr. Brooks. “When I went to fill out the volunteer registration form, I found that over twenty volunteers had already signed up, and learned that each of them would be driving their own cars to the event. I thought it might be difficult for everyone to coordinate seven to eight vehicles to leave on time, so I offered to provide two large 15-passenger buses as transportation. I then asked my oldest daughter, Denise, if she would like to participate in the event by helping as a translator and driving the second bus, and she agreed without hesitation…
What my daughter and I appreciate most about Tzu Chi as an organization is that even though we don’t share the same family background or faith, every Tzu Chi member, from the moment we serve together, treats us like family. That original heart to serve others and deliver compassion crosses all boundaries; and those same principles of equality, respect, and love are just as sincerely demonstrated to the disaster survivors we are privileged to serve.”
All Are One Family
At 10:00 AM, the hurricane relief event officially started. Volunteer Xuanting Huang acted as the opening host, introducing the spirit of Tzu Chi and the distribution process, followed by the head of Tzu Chi USA’s Miami Service Center, Paul Lin, who shared Tzu Chi’s varied relief missions. “I know that we can’t give you much in terms of supplies,” said Mr. Lin, “but we hope that this little bit of help can aid you with your urgent needs after the disaster.”
Thereafter, Mr. Lin led volunteers and disaster survivors in an uplifting Sign Language piece, titled One Family. Everyone formed a circle, and the love felt within seemed to transform the atmosphere for the remainder of the day.
Volunteers guided hurricane survivors to the distribution table one by one, where experiences were exchanged, and volunteers provided warm, eco-blankets, cash cards loaded with funds, and Tzu Chi journals filled with stories to inspire hope for the future and in one another.
Volunteer Fangying Li, who served as the audit team leader for this event, said, “Many of the volunteers in this distribution were first-time Tzu Chi volunteers. I think they were great. When I heard survivors tell their stories, the volunteers passed on their strength to them. I am thankful to Tzu Chi for doing thorough planning beforehand and finding such a beautiful church for us to use as a distribution site. In the distribution, the volunteers collaborated very well. Sometimes, even without needing to ask, they took the initiative to help each other.”
“This is my first time participating in Tzu Chi’s volunteer activities, and I am very grateful for this opportunity,” said Stephanie Chang. “I was unfamiliar with volunteering like this, and I made a lot of mistakes at first, which made me feel very stressed. But during the opening ceremony, when we sang with the survivors, I saw the smiles on people’s faces, and it made me feel that what matters is that we’re all together, that we’re there for each other, that we’re there to support each other… that we’re there to heal each other. We can’t stop disasters or unfortunate things from happening, but we can support each other, bring hope for the future, and let the people affected know that they are not alone in their suffering.”
Love on the Move
On both sides of the rows of distribution tables, survivors expressed grief for all that was lost, but also their hope that things would get better.
When a volunteer named Lisa Alvarez spoke of the survivors’ stories, she did so with deep emotion, saying, “I was humbled and shocked by this distribution. Just imagine how heartbreaking it is for the survivors to spend their entire lives trying to achieve life goals, such as owning a home, only to lose everything in the blink of an eye.”
In a conversation with another survivor, volunteers learned the story of a woman who lived with her husband who is disabled. The couple lost everything to the storm. Compounding an already deeply traumatic experience, she’d witnessed her neighbor being crushed by her home. She was deeply pained as she told volunteers what occurred.
For Tzu Chi volunteers, the drive to help in situations like these is indescribable, yet they hope that the aid and companionship offered can provide a glimmer of hope.
Despite the loss of their homes, the survivors’ gratitude to Tzu Chi was touching... This made me realize that Tzu Chi’s work is not just about providing material assistance but, more importantly, giving dignity and hope to survivors. As a volunteer, I am grateful to Tzu Chi for giving me the opportunity to contribute and be part of this mission, to convey the spirit of compassion and love.
Maud Morin, a volunteer and retired nurse who has dedicated her life to helping those in need in Haiti, was also moved by the distribution, sharing, “I was deeply touched as I listened to the stories of the survivors, who, despite the destruction of their homes, maintained hope amidst tears. They also expressed their gratitude to Tzu Chi for lending a helping hand and delivering help in times of need.”
“When I received the cash card, I got goosebumps all over,” said Sandra Kitchin, who was presented with relief materials by Maud Morin. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to the Tzu Chi organization… Seeing how much you care about people in need like me makes me cry tears of joy. May God bless you all and Tzu Chi as an organization.”
As Tzu Chi USA’s Miami distribution in Fort Pierce concluded, a sense of love and warmth permeated the space. Hand in hand with communities, volunteers will continue along the path of compassion as relief continues.
