The White House commends Tzu Chi’s “Sandy disaster relief heroes” (photo)

The White House commends Tzu Chi’s “Sandy disaster relief heroes” (photo) Yahoo News reported that the White House Champion…

The White House commended Tzu Chi’s “Sandy disaster relief heroes” (photo) Yahoo News reported that the White House Champions of The Change project commended 17 low-profile heroes on the 24th, including Zeng Cihui, CEO of Tzu Chi Disaster Relief Organization in Arcadia, California. After Super Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern United States in October last year, causing heavy casualties and losses, they extended a helping hand, efficiently met the needs of the disaster-stricken communities, and assisted in the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken communities. In its commendation, the White House pointed out that Tzu Chi had assisted nearly 60,000 people in more than 25 areas in New York and New Jersey that were hardest hit by Sandy. Recently, Tzu Chi also provided assistance in the recent Waco Fertilizer Factory explosion in Texas, providing emergency cash assistance to those affected; it also expressed love and care to the runners and their families affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. Tzu Chi Foundation: A New Chapter for Chinese Charitable Organizations Tzu Chi Foundation was founded in 1996 by Taiwanese Master Cheng Yen. It is a non-profit international humanitarian organization whose purpose is to assist the poor with love and inspire compassion among the rich. Tzu Chi responded immediately after Hurricane Sandy, providing hot meals, blankets and emergency financial assistance to the victims, totaling nearly NT$10 million. Others honored include leaders of news and charity organizations in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and others. After Hurricane Sandy hit New York and New Jersey last year, Tzu Chi Foundation dispatched more than 4,000 volunteers to the disaster areas, distributed nearly 10 million yuan to victims of all ethnic groups, and rescued 16,000 families and more than 50,000 people. Tzu Chi’s donations come from generous donations from people in more than 40 countries and regions. After receiving the blankets, hot food and cash cards that Tzu Chi promptly distributed, the victims were moved to tears and hugged each other with Tzu Chi volunteers during this difficult time. It wrote a new chapter for Chinese charity groups to participate in mainstream social disaster relief activities. Tzu Chi is also currently participating in assisting government-led post-disaster reconstruction efforts.