Day 13 - Tzu Chi USA News Update
Reported on 9/23/01 5:30
p.m. PST
9/23 5:30 p.m. PST
New York Chapter/New Jersey Chapter
At Pier 94's New York City Family Assistance Center today,
New York, New Jersey, and Long Island Office Tzu Chi volunteers
continue to provide services for needy families. Tzu Chi volunteers
assisted 30 families today.
Tzu Chi volunteers were given a booth at
the New Jersey Office of Recovery and Victim Center today.
This center is similar to the New York City Family Assistance
Center. The New Jersey center opened last Tuesday to service
New Jersey residents who were affected by the September 11th
disaster. About 70% of the victims of last week's disasters
were residents of the state of New Jersey. New Jersey Tzu
Chi volunteers gave out food, offered translation services,
gave emergency monetary assistance, and offered emotional
support to families in need. Tzu Chi volunteers were only
able to help families until 2:00 p.m. EST this afternoon because
at two o'clock, the center offered a prayer service just for
victims and victims' families.
9/23 5:30 p.m.
PST
U.S. Main Office/New York Chapter/New Jersey Chapter
To date, 195 families have qualified as Tzu Chi's special
care cases. Immediately after this qualification, Tzu Chi
volunteers quickly give out emergency monetary support. This
immediate financial assistance is based on individual need.
9/23 5:30 p.m.
PST
Southern California Chapter
From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PST today, Tzu Chi's Southern
California Chapter, Tzu Chi Free Clinic, the American Red
Cross and the City of Hope Hospital came together to sponsor
a blood drive at the Southern California office in Monrovia.
An overwhelming 215 people called ahead to donate blood. Today,
117 people went through the initial screening and 83 people
successfully donated blood. The Red Cross, City of Hope, and
Tzu Chi's Southern California Chapter hope to sponsor another
blood drive in two weeks. Hopefully, the 98 people who were
not able to get an appointment today will be able to donate
blood at the next blood drive. After giving blood, instead
of the usual juice and cookies, blood donors were treated
to Chinese veggie buns and had a choice of beverages. Many
donors expressed thanks for this weekend's blood drive because
they usually work during the week and have not been able to
make the weekday appointments at Red Cross Blood Centers.
In additional to giving blood, 45 people also donated blood
to participate in Tzu Chi's bone marrow registry.
Southern California Tzu Chi volunteers were out on the streets
of Los Angeles on yesterday and today to ask for donations
for victims and families of victims of the September 11th
disaster. Tzu Chi volunteers were touched by the many people
who donated to the disaster relief fund.
Source: Tzu Chi USA Main
Office
