Report
from the USA
Hampton, Virginia Hit by Tornado
[ New York]On September 4th, 1999, Hampton, Virginia, a place where tornadoes are rarely seen, was hit by a major twister. Two local facilities, the Assisted Care Facility for the Elderly and the Retirement Center for the Elderly, were heavily damaged. Also, many private homes were damaged by the tornado and subsequent storm, with the residents having to be evacuated. Fortunately, no one was killed.
Ms.
Heather Livingston (right) led the initiates on a visit
to the disaster area.
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Upon learning the news of the disaster, our merciful Master immediately contributed US$50,000 and instructed local initiates to deliver the money to the disaster area at top speed.
Several initiates from the Virginia Center set off immediately, driving all night, and arrived at the Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Red Cross the next morning. After being warmly welcomed by Red Cross workers, our initiates expressed Master's love and desire to help the disaster victims. Then Ms. Heather Livingston, the manager of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Red Cross, led the initiates on a visit to the disaster area.
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Heavily damaged residential
homes. |
Disaster scene at
the Retirement Center for the Elderly. |
Hampton City is a small coastal tourist city, surrounded by the sea. People there very seldom see tornadoes. This time the tornado attacked without any warning. And many people felt very reluctant to accept it even daysafter the event. In the area through which the tornado had passed, trees were uprooted and cars were blown onto the roofs of buildings; after being damaged by the tornado, many houses were again attacked by a heavy rain storm and become uninhabitable. Due to the high cost of repair, many of these houses will have to be demolished and rebuilt. The financial losses were grievous.
After learning of the arrival of the representatives of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, the City Manager, George Wallas, and other members of the Hampton City Council immediately scheduled a meeting with them. Our initiates, on behalf of Master and Her association, presented a $50,000 disaster relief fund to Mr. Wallas for the local chapter of the America Red Cross. Mr. Wallas then thanked Master and The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for the warmhearted contribution.
During a later telephone conversation with our fellow initiates, Red Cross official, Ms. Livingston, enthusiastically reported learning of our mutual goals of helping vicitms of disasters throughout the world.
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Our initiates
present the relief funds to City Manager Mr. George Wallas
(third from left) on behalf of Master. Left one and two: Dr.
Turner Spencer and Ms. Linda McNeeley, Hampton City Hall members
Left four: Mrs. Leon Calhoun, American Red Cross, Hampton
Roads Chapter chairman |
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«Appendix A»
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Receipt for $50,000 (Appendix A) and letter of
appreciation (Appendix B) from the Hampton
Roads Chapter of the American Red Cross. |
«Appendix B»
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( Originally In English
)
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American Red Cross
September 29, 1999
Dear The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association:
On
behalf of the American Red Cross and the people we serve,
thank you very much for your generous donation of $50,000
made this month to help with disaster relief in Hampton
Roads. Both Leon Calhoun our Chapter Chairman and I have
already expressed our personal thanks and appreciation;
but it was important to us that you hear again how grateful
we are for your contribution. Your gift made a tremendous
difference in our ability to provide the services we've
promised we would provide in times of disaster.
It was a pleasure touring with your representatives first
hand through the disaster area and having them see the
service center where our caseworkers were set up to provide
direct assistance to families in need.
Your donation played an essential role in making sure we had the wherewithal to respond to more than 250 families (and single people) who needed our help the day of the tornado and in the weeks that followed as they repaired their apartments and lives. Our disaster action teams are trained to respond immediately to disasters of this type. They were on the scene of the tornado damage as quickly as our city fire and other response personnel. Your generosity, along with their skills, made it possible to help affected families with immediate shelter, food, and clothing. We have continued to help as the victims replaced bedding, medical supplies and other essentials as families moved back into their repaired apartments or moved to other locations.
I've enclosed the photos we took of our donation presentation ceremony with the Hampton City Council. The fact that with very little warning they took time out of their schedules to meet and greet us is evidence again of the importance of your gift.
Thank you very much,
Heather
Livingston
Chapter Manager
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