Page 36 - 37-Fall 2013

Champions of Change is an ongoing
program, initiated in April 2011, that recognizes
individuals, businesses, and organizations who
are doing extraordinary things to empower and
inspire their communities. Alongside Tzu Chi,
sixteen others were recognized on April 24 for
their innovative and compassionate actions to
assist hurricane survivors in the aftermath of
Sandy.

Six volunteers from New Jersey, New York,
Washington, DC, and California represented Tzu
Chi at the White House to share Dharma Master Tzu Chi Northeast Regional Director George
Cheng Yen’s spirit of boundless compassion Chang introduces Tzu Chi to the New York
with the other Champions of Change honorees. State Senate. Photo: Peter Lin
Debra Boudreaux, Executive Vice President
of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, participated not the only such recognition Tzu Chi received.
in the recognition ceremony on behalf of all One day earlier, on April 23, Tzu Chi volunteers
Tzu Chi volunteers. “This relief operation was were also invited to Albany, New York, so that
extremely difficult to carry out and was a test of Northeast Regional Director George Chang
our wisdom. From the start of Hurricane Sandy, could introduce Tzu Chi to the New York State
people did not understand Tzu Chi. I took part in Senate. Afterwards, volunteers displayed
many activities and the work of the Foundation “Great Love in Action—Tzu Chi Foundation
was not mentioned. Today we are here in the Sandy Relief Photo Journal,” an exhibition of
White House. It is the result of the unconditional photographs taken during Hurricane Sandy
love of Tzu Chi members around the world.” disaster relief, and were recognized by New York
State Senator Rubén Díaz with a Certificate of
When asked about the recognition, Merit acknowledging the love and care that Tzu
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation CEO Han Huang Chi volunteers delivered to New York residents
said, “Tzu Chi volunteers in the U.S. want to affected by Hurricane Sandy.
express their sincere thanks to Master Cheng
Yen. We will work harder to do what we should The storm has passed, but wounds still
and spread goodness. If it’s right, just do it!” run deep for many victims. Tzu Chi volunteers
will continue to serve communities across New
While the Champions of Change event was York and New Jersey to help those in need and
a significant recognition of Tzu Chi volunteers’ inspire recipients to pay forward the love that
service to Hurricane Sandy survivors, it was they receive.

For more on Tzu Chi’s Hurricane Sandy relief effort, please see Issue 36 (Summer 2013).

Visitors explore the Tzu Chi
photo exhibition at the
New York State Senate.
Photo: Peter Lin