Letter of Appreciation

A Timely Gift to the City of Cedar Rapids

 

Iowa City and Cedar Rapids in the midwestern state of Iowa, USA experienced their worst flooding in history in June 2008. With Her love and warmth, Supreme Master Ching Hai eased the pain and lightened the burden of the people by making a munificent contribution of US$10,000 to help them resume their normal lives. Following the flood relief work by our Association members (please refer to News Magazine#199 for more details), Mayor Kay Halloran of Cedar Rapids sent Master a touching thank you letter, with updates on the rebuilding of the city.

(Originally in English)

CEDAR RAPIDS

City of Five Seasons

November 5, 2008

Supreme Master Ching Hai:

On behalf of the residents of the City of Cedar Rapids, thank you for visiting our city on June 20, 2008. The city is most grateful for your generous gift of $10,000 to aid in our flood recovery. This humanitarian deed was exemplary and most appreciated.

The citizens of Cedar Rapids have joined together in our recovery from the June 2008 flooding disaster. Our citizens rolled up their sleeves and pulled together to rebuild, reinvest and revitalize our community. New affordable housing has been developed and many residents have restored and rebuilt their homes. Our residents opened their doors to homeless, pitched in to clear debris, cleaned up flood-damaged properties, mentored flood-damaged businesses and continue to provide input on plans to rebuild this community to be greater than it was before. Major downtown employers have since re-opened their doors while other employers continue to pay their employees – many whose homes were impacted by the flood – until their businesses re-open. Your generous gift has helped to make this all possible.

We are truly grateful for your gracious support during our city’s time of need.

Thank you,

Kay Halloran, Mayor

City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa