By Michigan Relief Team, USA (Originally in English)
December 2012
Responding to Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving request to help others stay warm during the coldest part of the year, our Association’s Michigan Center members joined hands with Brother Al Mascia, Order of Friars Minor (OFM), a Franciscan friar of the St. John the Baptist Province, whose life’s work is to help care for the disadvantaged citizens of metropolitan Detroit. He is a co-founder of the Song and Spirit Institute for Peace, an award-winning interreligious project with the goal of enhancing harmony in the Detroit area and beyond through organic gardening, community service, music, arts and study.
Supreme Master Ching Hai generously contributed US$10,000 for the winter relief efforts of the Michigan Center. These funds were presented by our Association members to Brother Al to support his praiseworthy work and provide immediate aid to purchase urgently needed winter items for homeless individuals. Our Association members also traveled with Brother Al in his specially equipped vehicle (suitably named the “Care-a-Van”) as he drove to the most affected areas. In these localities, warm clothing and blankets were distributed to individuals in need. Bags promoting the vegan lifestyle, which proved to be very popular, were also happily given.
Brother Al, along with many recipients, expressed deep gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her benevolent contribution and Her compassion, and Brother Al sent a heartfelt letter to express his appreciation to Her and to The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.
We are grateful to Brother Al for his dedication to serving and rendering aid to our brethren in need. May God continue to bless his praiseworthy endeavors.
* For more information on Brother Al and his life’s work of helping the disadvantaged, please visit www.BrotherAl.org.