Day 8 - Tzu Chi USA News Update
Reported on 9/18/01 6:00
p.m. EST
9/17 8:00 p.m. EST
New York
Tzu Chi Foundation, USA CEO and Southern
California Chapter Director of Social Services arrived in
Long Island's McArthur Airport. Immediately after they arrived,
they headed to the New York Chapter office in Flushing, NY
to meet up with New York area Tzu Chi volunteers to deliver
hot meals and soup to rescuers in Manhattan. To get to ground
zero, the Tzu Chi team had to pass through three different
checkpoints.
Next, the group went to the New York Family
Assistance Center, a temporary place to house all of the emergency
assistance for victims and their families. This center is
set up in a big warehouse at Pier 94. Inside, in a convention
style, booths are set up for families to receive financial
assistance, counseling, as well as spiritual support. Organizations
include New York State Police, American Red Cross, and the
Salvation Army. Yesterday, Tzu Chi volunteers started to provide
translation services at the Family Assistance Center.
U.S. Main Office
Tzu Chi's Southern
California Chapter is holding a blood drive on Sunday,
Sept. 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. So far, an overwhelming
106 people in the Los Angeles area have called Tzu Chi directly
to sign up to give blood. Spaces are almost filled. Please
call the Tzu Chi Free Clinic at (626) 281-3383
for more information.
9/18 9:00 a.m. EST
New York
At 9:00 a.m., New York Chapter and Long Island Office Tzu
Chi volunteers met to discuss the current relief efforts as
well as plan for additional assistance to victims and their
families.
Directly after, a group of volunteers,
including Tzu Chi USA CEO and Southern California Director
of Social Services headed to the New York Family Assistance
Center once more to further see if Tzu Chi can provide further
assistance. After meeting with officials at the Center, Tzu
Chi was given a small area in the Spiritual Support section
provided that our volunteers receive training from the Red
Cross. Tzu Chi immediately sent 12 volunteers to the Red Cross
to be trained. In addition, four Tzu Chi volunteers were sent
to help out in the two cafeterias in the Family Assistance
Center. There are two cafeterias there, one for families and
another one for employees and volunteers.
Around the disaster area, Tzu Chi volunteers
are planning to assist New Yorkers who have been displaced
from their homes. Many individuals who live right around the
World Trade Center are currently staying in shelters.
Source: Tzu Chi USA Main
Office
