Written by: Shu Li Lo
Translated by: H.B. Qin
Edited by: Patrick McShane
The wildfire in Maui, Hawaii, burned a beautiful, historic town to the ground in a matter of minutes, killing and injuring countless people and displacing many families. Tzu Chi USA Headquarters Region volunteers in Los Angeles, in adherence to the spirit of compassion for those experiencing difficulties, immediately started a street fundraising campaign to help those affected.
Angelenos going in and out of supermarkets are no strangers to Tzu Chi’s fundraising efforts. When they were told that this fundraising effort was for the survivors in Maui, they put money into the donation boxes one after another; people driving by also responded by rolling down their windows and donating.
Spreading Great Love with a Small Act
Volunteers arrived at a local Chinese supermarket and got ready for the fundraising drive. Their efforts were quickly rewarded when people responded with enthusiasm. Julia Huang, who was visiting the Tak Shing Hong Supermarket in Monterey Park with her family to buy groceries, saw the Tzu Chi volunteers raising funds and went to say hello, thanking the Tzu Chi volunteers for their dedication and calling on everyone to donate to the wildfire survivors. After being introduced by the volunteers, she learned more about Tzu Chi and promised to share information about the drive with her friends on social media in the hope that she could call on more people to respond.
After the fire, I deeply felt that we should cherish the people and things happening around us, get along well with the people around us, keep a kind heart, help people when we can, start with our own strength, set a good example, we should stop having a competitive mindset, and be kind to others.
One local resident had previously lived in Maui for seven years. When she saw volunteers raising money, she eagerly discussed the situation in Maui. She was very sad and the volunteers shed tears with her. Volunteer Kit Cheung hoped that everyone would show their love and support for the survivors in Maui. “Inflation is very serious now and we came to raise funds, I didn’t expect people to be so caring, especially when they saw us wearing the Tzu Chi uniform. A lady said, I have confidence in you guys, and she put in a $100 bill. And there was a parent with a child, the parent gave the child $50 and put in $50 herself. She not only did good deeds but also taught her child to be helpful from a young age.”
“These people put one, two, five, ten, and one hundred dollar bills into the donation box, giving us great encouragement. The more we do it, the more we are energized. We hope to bring this love to Maui’s people so they can know that Tzu Chi is helping the survivors in Hawaii.” Volunteer Li Er Xue is grateful that everyone can spread great love through a small gesture, simply putting their hard-earned money into the donation box.
Doing One’s Part to Help
One local resident had previously lived in Maui for seven years. When she saw volunteers raising money, she eagerly discussed the situation in Maui. She was very sad and the volunteers shed tears with her. Volunteer Kit Cheung hoped that everyone would show their love and support for the survivors in Maui. “Inflation is very serious now and we came to raise funds, I didn’t expect people to be so caring, especially when they saw us wearing the Tzu Chi uniform. A lady said, I have confidence in you guys, and she put in a $100 bill. And there was a parent with a child, the parent gave the child $50 and put in $50 herself. She not only did good deeds but also taught her child to be helpful from a young age.”
“These people put one, two, five, ten, and one hundred dollar bills into the donation box, giving us great encouragement. The more we do it, the more we are energized. We hope to bring this love to Maui’s people so they can know that Tzu Chi is helping the survivors in Hawaii.” Volunteer Li Er Xue is grateful that everyone can spread great love through a small gesture, simply putting their hard-earned money into the donation box.
If everyone puts in a little bit of money, it will add up to a large sum and help the survivors.
In front of JJ Bakery & Café Arcadia, volunteers held donation boxes and bowed to thank the customers who passed by. Regardless of whether or not they made donations, they still sent their blessings; wishing everyone a peaceful life in a peaceful place where they can live and work in contentment.
Senior volunteer Gui Xiong Wu is over 80 years old, yet he stood on the street to collect donations like everyone else. “Consumers buy bread here, and often only have a small amount of change left. Even though it’s not a big amount, is a token of their generosity, and we marvel at their spirit of making the donation. It’s compassionate and selfless giving, which could be a small comfort to those who are suffering.” He felt honored to be able to participate in the street fundraising effort.
Volunteers who participated in this fundraising campaign understood more deeply that it is better to do than to listen when navigating the Dharma.
