Love Delivered to Disaster Victims and Our Animal Friends

Love in Action

Master has always been extremely concerned about disasters that occur worldwide. Whenever receiving news about disasters anywhere, She immediately renders relief by providing financial assistance as well as dispatching rescue teams to help in the affected areas. Through such relief efforts, we are also conveying Master’s love to the disaster victims. It is evident that Master’s unconditional love, silent blessing and help have reduced worldwide disasters and their affects to a minimum.

In recognition of the selfless actions of all governments, organizations and relief workers from every corner of the world, Master would like to convey this message of gratitude:

“Thank you, all the international help that brings care and necessities to afflicted victims. Thank you all the relief workers for taking time and forsaking your own comfort, even traveling great distance on unfavorable roads and conditions to bring love and assistance to people in a time of need. May Heaven bless you abundantly for your generosity and noble sacrifice.”

On January 28, 2009, an ice storm hit the Midwest affecting over half a million homes in Tennessee and Kentucky. Many counties in both states were without power and some areas without water. Kentucky suffered the most damage with a great number of its citizens relocating to nearby shelters.

Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately sent US$30,000 to assist the victims of the ice storm. Thousands of personal necessities were purchased by the local initiates such as soap, wash cloths, shampoo and different kinds of food which were packaged in Alternative Living bags together with Master’s informative SOS flyers. After speaking with representatives at each shelter, additional urgent supplies, including flashlights, bottled water, blankets, pillows as well as snacks were also purchased.

Two relief teams formed by the Midwest initiates were dispatched to effectively help people. In the remote town of Hornbeak, Tennessee, many trees had snapped due to the severe ice storm and extremely cold weather, cutting power lines and making the situation very difficult. The team was able to provide those at the shelter with the most needed supplies at just the right time. The recipients could not believe that Master Ching Hai, who was so far away, was concerned about their situation. To the Hornbeak Fire Department, the team also contributed US$1,000 to assist in their relief work.

When they arrived in an elementary school in Kentucky where over two hundred residents were staying, team members immediately began to prepare warm, delicious vegetarian meals for them. The most touching feedback received was from the many children who smiled joyfully when they were served the special vegan spaghetti with French bread. In response to the envelopes of financial assistance given, one child happily exclaimed, “Wow! I feel so rich!”

At Crittenden County Elementary School in Marion, Kentucky, which was also serving as a temporary shelter, the county superintendent, Dr. Rachel Yarbrough, volunteered her time. Being such a supportive and open-minded lady, she helped the initiates to pack relief bags and hand them out to each person at the shelter. Meanwhile, everyone was greatly touched by Master’s concern and care, and some even cried while being interviewed. Many said that they had been at the shelter for over a week and that this day was by far the best for them. The kitchen helpers were very pleased to work with our team and invited them to return anytime to prepare delicious vegetarian food again. The initiates also visited many of the local families who had no electricity and offered them flashlights, SOS flyers and financial assistance, which were received with great surprise and appreciation.

After learning that the director of the Kentucky no-kill “Paws, Claws & More Animal Rescue/Transport” animal shelter needed help to buy six generators to keep the 70 rescued dogs and 30 birds warm, the team offered them US$2,000. They also gave US$500 to the Grayson County Humane Society Animal Shelter.

When Master read about these two animal shelters and the personal letter from Mrs. Chandra Davis, a volunteer at the Hornbeak Fire Department, asking for help, She immediately provided additional funds. Upon learning that Mrs. Shannon Lacewell, director of Paws, Claws & More Animal Rescue/Transport, had driven a long distance to purchase the needed generators for her shelter, Master immediately sent another US$5,000. Mrs. Shannon Lacewell was brought to tears when she received Master's additional financial assistance and books. She said she would continue to learn more about the plant-based diet and would likely become completely vegetarian in the near future. The volunteers at the Grayson County Humane Society Animal Shelter were amazed and very thankful to be given the US$2,000 fund. Mrs. Davis was overjoyed to receive US$5,000 from Master on March 7 to complete her education and her dream of becoming a Nationally Certified Humane Investigator. She sends her love and sincere thanks to Master, and promises to work hard at combating animal cruelty nationwide.

On March 15, the Midwest relief team again reached out to the northern towns of Ottawa and Findlay, Ohio, which suffered from a storm-related flood, bringing with them Master’s love and a US$15,000 contribution. In the most affected area of Ottawa, the team distributed supplies and envelopes containing US$100 each to 32 individuals and families. In Findlay, they presented US$2,000 to Mrs. Susan Hollington, the director of a no-killing animal group, Teddy Rescue Inc. This organization takes care of abandoned dogs and just recently had rescued a beautiful one with three legs. Everyone the team met was deeply touched by Master’s concern, many were brought to tears, and some said that God had sent angels to their houses when they were most in need, just like a dream.

On April 10, a tornado with winds of 165 miles per hour hit the town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, completely destroying 100 homes and severely damaging another 150. Our Midwest relief team arrived in the affected area with Master’s benevolent contribution of US$20,000 on April 16, and went door to door offering much-needed supplies such as gloves, garbage bags, socks and flashlights as well as cash assistance. The recipients felt a great sense of relief and were filled with joy. Many stated: “God must have watched over us because many of us were hiding in our closets while our homes were blown away by the tremendous winds… This is a true miracle!” Due to the local government’s efficient work, not all of the funds offered by Master were needed this time.

The Midwest relief teams were grateful to Master, who once again offered them opportunities to learn and grow spiritually. They thank Her for the love and compassion She gives to all, including our animal friends.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for the Ice Storm, Tornado
and Flood Relief Work in Midwestern USA

Description	Amount (US$)	Receipt
Food	908	A
Relief supplies (toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, socks, shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer, gloves, flashlights, batteries, mops, scrubs)	9,315	B
Financial aid to the victims	24,980	C
Financial aid to Hornbeak Fire Department	1,000	D
Financial aid to Carlisle County Fiscal Court	2,000	E
Financial aid to Paws, Claws and More Rescue	7,000	F
Financial aid to Grayson Co. Humane Society	2,500	G
Financial aid to Mrs. Chandra Davis	5,000	H
Financial aid to Animal Teddy’s Rescue	2,000	I
Total	US$54,703

* Throughout the relief operation, fellow initiates paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation expenses.

In support of the “H2O for Life” project, the Youth Extending Service (Y.E.S.) Club in Wayzata High School, Minnesota, has initiated various projects to help solve water problems for schools in less fortunate countries.

Last December, in order to raise a US$5,000 fund to install a clean water system at Lake Soluton Elementary School in Lake Sebu in the Philippines, Wayzata High School students walked 1.5 miles in the early morning every day in the cold weather, symbolizing the inconvenience that many children all over the world have to go through for water. Upon knowing the news, our compassionate Master contributed US$3,000 to the program, which was delivered to the school by our Association members on January 23, Golden Year 6 (2009). On March 9, Mary Kay Williams, the Y.E.S. Coordinator, informed the initiates that they have achieved their goal ahead of time. She indicated in a follow-up letter that the financial contribution will make a difference for 278 children at Lake Solution Elementary School.

The club soon turned their attention to the next project which was to help students from Bido Primary School in Oromiya Province, Regional State, Ethiopia, to which Master generously provided a US$20,000 fund. On April 17, when the local initiates presented Master’s contribution along with Her publications and SOS flyers to the club, they received a warm welcome from students and staff. They were touched by Master’s thoughtfulness and generosity, and hope one day to thank Her in person. Mary Kay Williams stated that Master’s contribution made it possible to complete water projects for four schools in Africa. Patty Hall, President and Co-founder of H2O for Life, shared with Master in a thank-you letter, “We have many schools that are in the process of completing their projects. We know that many may not only reach their goals but will exceed their goals. Any additional funds will be used to help all of our global partner schools receive clean water, sanitation and hygiene education.”

Bravo, Wayzata High School students and H2O for Life, for taking initiatives to help our younger brothers and sisters in other countries.