Setting Compassion in Motion Across the Nation
Written by Jennifer Chien and Yingying Lee
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto and Anik Ghose
Published #76 | Spring 2025 Issue
Interfaith community leaders and representatives join hearts to offer prayers for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Photo/Shuli Lo
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Discover moments from Tzu Chi USA’s Help Los Angeles Heal wildfire relief mission, captured through the mindful lens of photographers nationwide and stories from the field shared by Tzu Chi volunteers. From volunteer mobilization, to community fundraising, to preparing hot meals, and beyond, love shone through, connecting all from near and far.
An Interfaith Prayer Gathers Momentum
Just three days after devastating wildfires began to unfurl across Los Angeles, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles (CCBA), one of the most well-known Chinese American organizations in Southern California, reached out to a Tzu Chi volunteer, asking, “How can we help?” Inspired by the commitment they witnessed from Tzu Chi volunteers at multiple emergency shelters, CCBA and other community organizations quickly rallied support.
Tzu Chi then hosted an interfaith prayer gathering at the San Gabriel Valley Service Center on January 11, 2025. The event, led by Tzu Chi USA CEO Debra Boudreaux, Los Angeles Buddhist Union president Ven. Bhante Chao Chu, and Rev. Jan Chase, Pastor of Unity Church Pomona, was held jointly with representatives of the Los Angeles County government, representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, and key leaders from various overseas Chinese communities.
I’d like to thank Tzu Chi for holding this touching event, bringing interfaith representatives together to pray for those affected by the fires. I’ll be supporting Tzu Chi USA’s work in the fire zones along with my friends in the faith community.
Those gathered prayed for the swift containment of the Los Angeles wildfires, and called upon all sectors to unite in supporting affected families.
Tzu Chi is already helping out, and I hope to get more people on board to give what they can, whether it’s money or time, to support the families affected by the fires.
Recognizing the urgency of the crisis, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles Chairman Norman Nie and his board additionally transformed an upcoming banquet into a fundraising dinner, personally reaching out to over 300 guests to inspire immediate action.
Braving the Cold Across the U.S.
Upon launching its Help Los Angeles Heal campaign, Tzu Chi volunteers across the country took to the streets, braving winter conditions to raise funds for Tzu Chi USA’s forthcoming wildfire relief efforts.
From California to New Jersey, and Seattle to Philadelphia, volunteers of all ages joined hands, demonstrating that even in the face of tragedy, love and compassion always shine through.
When volunteers planned a street fundraiser for January 19, they knew snow was in the forecast. Still, everyone pressed on with preparations. Some team leaders, mindful of the dropping temperature, brought heating packs to help keep everyone warm — ensuring their vests were large enough to wear over coats so passersby could easily recognize them as Tzu Chi volunteers.
Seeing how long the volunteers had been standing in the cold, some kind-hearted individuals even went into a nearby supermarket and bought them five cups of hot tea, the thoughtful gesture warming not just their hands but also their hearts. While many people no longer carry cash, they didn’t hesitate to scan Tzu Chi’s QR codes to contribute.
A Journey Paved With Kindness
On the morning of January 17, 2025, Tzu Chi Education Foundation office members were greeted by an older woman with a bright smile and the excitement of someone who had just won the lottery. She warmly greeted everyone, and the Tzu Chi team members invited her to sit down with a hot cup of tea. As she spoke, they could feel her care.
She had set out to donate for wildfire relief, but unable to drive, she depended on public transportation. After carefully studying the schedule, she attempted the journey the day before, but accidentally boarded the wrong bus at the stop, and couldn’t find Tzu Chi. Disappointed but undeterred, she tried again the next day — and this time, she succeeded.
Overcome with emotion, she wiped away tears of relief as she shared her story. Then, she opened her bag and took out a neatly folded Tzu Chi volunteer vest, which she had not been able to wear since the pandemic began. She wished to return it to Tzu Chi, hoping it could be passed on to someone who could put it to good use.
The gathered team members invited her to visit Tzu Chi’s Life Science Garden, located on the Tzu Chi Education Campus in Walnut, California, when she had time. And, knowing she faced another long bus ride home, they took the initiative to drive her back safely.
The Sincerity of Youth
When fourth and fifth graders at one of Tzu Chi’s Elementary Schools learned that their former teacher, Ms. Sun, had been affected by the wildfires, they came together to create a card filled with the cherished memories they held of Ms. Sun’s classes.
Disasters may be relentless, but love knows no bounds. Moved by the children’s kindness, Tzu Chi colleagues also assisted Ms. Sun with financial help, hoping to bring her comfort in this most frightening time.
Raising Funds in Texas
Houston’s Tzu Chi Academy additionally launched a special campaign allowing students to donate alongside the school’s annual second-hand charity sale, with all proceeds supporting Tzu Chi’s wildfire relief.
Teachers, students, and parents at the Academy also joined together in prayer, sending earnest wishes to those affected in California.
Cultivating the Heart in Phoenix
Members of Tzu Chi’s youth group in Phoenix know that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact. Even so, the young volunteers were momentarily disappointed with the day’s fundraising totals, as few people carried physical cash. That was, until a volunteer, Da Zheng, reassured them, saying, “When we go out to raise funds, it’s not about the amount collected. What matters most is that we inspire awareness and kindness in the hearts of passersby. Every interaction plants a seed — and that is a very meaningful thing.”
Encouragement From New York
On January 19, Tzu Chi Academy in New York raised $2,934 in donations. Across the school, students wrote words of encouragement, sending strength and support to those in need.
January 20 was an especially frigid day in New York. For the safety of both recipients and volunteers, Tzu Chi team members at the Manhattan Family Service Center made the difficult decision to cancel their scheduled food distribution, and instead distribute biscuits and vegetables to those who came for lunch.
Despite posting a cancellation notice at 9:30 AM, around 50 people still arrived, unaware of the change. The volunteers apologized and explained the situation. What moved them most deeply, however, was that rather than expressing disappointment, many responded with generosity. Almost everyone contributed to the donation box Tzu Chi volunteers had made for the Los Angeles wildfires relief mission.
Small Acts of Kindness in San Diego
Five-year-old Wu Li’an joined a Tzu Chi street fundraising event for the first time, brimming with enthusiasm. Not only did he donate $30 — money he earned over time by helping his grandmother pick oranges — but he also brought good cheer outside a San Diego supermarket as he held a donation box alongside his mother and fellow volunteers.
Providing Comfort Through Meals
On February 1, Tzu Chi provided two meal options for wildfire survivors at the 2025 Wildfires Resource Hub so guests could choose between a traditional Chinese lunchbox or pizza.
The Treasure Hut Conveys Community Care
As wildfire survivors raced to evacuate their homes in shock and fear, they were often focused on locating important documents, with little time to pack any other essentials, like clothing. At Tzu Chi’s wildfire relief distributions, guests were invited to pick out clothing items from Tzu Chi’s Treasure Hut. With a wide range of donated clothes, shoes, household utensils, toys, and more, the Treasure Hut functions like a small department store, and offered care recipients a deeply welcome sense of relief.
Through each of these experiences, Tzu Chi volunteers saw firsthand how kindness knows no bounds. Every act of generosity, no matter how small, creates ripples that expand and grow, so that hope may reach ever onward. May their efforts encompass all those in need as Tzu Chi USA continues to assist along the path toward recovery and well-being for all those affected by the devastating wildfires that struck Los Angeles in January 2025.
