2024年12月21日, 週六

Formosa Media Reports on Award for The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association

Caring for the Disadvantaged: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association was Honored with a Public Service Award

By Economic Daily News, Formosa /March 1, 2016 /Tsai Ying-Ching (Translation by The Supreme Master Ching Hai News Magazine)

On February 26, the New Taipei City Government held an awards ceremony entitled “Embrace Hope, Hold on to Happiness.” The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association was given the Public Service Award for its long term contribution to helping citizens most in need.

To assist the disadvantaged people, in 2011, the New Taipei City Government launched a charity campaign called “Happy House Banks,” with the support of individuals and groups from all walks of life. By the end of December 2015, the campaign had raised a total of over TWD 810 million in cash and supplies to help 1.24 million people in need.

In order to express thanks for the support from businesses, religious organizations, NGOs and individuals, the New Taipei City Government hosted an awards ceremony entitled “Embrace Hope, Hold On to Happiness” on February 26 in the City Hall. More than 300 NGOs, enterprises and individuals were invited to attend the event. The Deputy Mayor, Mr. Chen Shen-Hsien, personally issued certificates of appreciation to the kind-hearted organizations and individuals. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association was given the Public Service Award for its long-term contribution to helping citizens most in need. The award was accepted by the chairman of the Association.

Inspired by the compassion of the spiritual teacher Supreme Master Ching Hai, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association has been conducting relief efforts in all parts of the world. Over the years, the Association has been quietly taking care of the homeless in Formosa, giving material and spiritual support. The Association has also been giving cash assistance to shelters for stray animals, so that the “furry children” can be taken care of humanely.

In January 2016, an unprecedented cold climate that has not occurred in the last 43 years prevailed in the greater Taipei area. The Association contributed tens of boxes containing warm clothing items and blankets to Linkou District Halfway House, Wanhua Social Service Center and Renan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation, all of which are part of the New Taipei City House’s efforts to help homeless individuals stay warm through the cold.
 
Rainy and wet weather also prevailed in Taipei in addition to the cold. Many homeless people suffered greatly as they only had fabric shoes or running shoes to wear. They were in dire need of waterproof shoes. After the Lunar New Year holidays, the Association bought 150 pairs of rubber clogs, and delivered them to homeless individuals through the New Taipei City Volunteer Center.
 
The Association was also concerned about the stray dogs and the alley cats. To keep them safe from the severe cold weather and avoid starvation, a total of four boxes of blankets and clothing items were delivered to the Animal Welfare Environmental Association in Linkou District. The Association also contributed a total of 1,800 kilograms of vegan dog food to the Linkou Nursery, Mother Zhang Stray Animals Home in Pinghsi, and several private animal shelters in Beitou and Neihu Districts, to help nearly 1,000 dogs stay warm and well-fed throughout the winter. The Association hopes that more loving people will come together to care for the “furry children” on the streets.
 
As a poet, artist, philanthropist and spiritual teacher, Supreme Master Ching Hai often encourages public service. She said we are only fulfilling our duty when we give to others, and we are simply passing on the things entrusted to us by God to the right recipients.
 
 

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