Tzu Chi Boston's COVID-19 Relief EffortsIII: Striving to Flatten the Coronavirus Curve With Love

The confirmed cases of COVID-19  are still growing in the USA. Unfortunately, Massachusetts is also among the six worst-affected states in the country. Though Tzu Chi Boston volunteers suffer a lack of manpower, we did not stop in our daily virtual prayers for the outbreak to end. We are also working to gather medical supplies and distribute them for various groups.

One of the management staff of the cardiac research department in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Shi Xu, has asked for donations of medical supplies from the Chinese community in Boston for the medical staff in his department. After hearing about this, sister Emily Hsiao from Tzu Chi Boston personally gifted 1000 surgical masks and a multi-lingual Jing Si aphorism book to researcher Shi on April 8. 

Tzu Chi Boston’s charity team volunteers heard about nursing homes in Quincy and Newton needing medical supplies. On April 10, Brother Yufeng Chen represented Tzu Chi and gifted Quincy South Cove Manor with 1000 masks at the Tzu Chi Boston office. Also, we gifted The Falls at Cordingly Dam (Benchmark Senior Living​) where COVID-19 has been confirmed, 500 surgical masks and 10 N95 masks. 

Brother Chen gifted Quincy South Cove Manor 1000 masks.

Brother Chen gifted The Falls at Cordingly Dam 500 surgical masks and 10 N95 masks.

Tzu Chi Boston director Sister Vickie Chang contacted the Taiwan Overseas Community  Affairs Council and realized that there may be immigrants who need masks. So, brother Chen prepared 30 gift bags with 5 masks and multigrain powder for people who may need them.

Brother Chen carefully packaged these gifts with his blessings for everyone.

Sister Sian Ooi i from Tzu Chi Boston personally gifted 3000 surgical masks ， 60 N95 masks and 50 KN95 masks  to  Benchmark Waltham  on April 10.  So they greatly appreciated the timely package. 

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As the pandemic continues, Tzu Chi’s work will continue! Tzu Chi USA invites you to join us in the fundraiser for this outbre

✨Donation link：​https://www.facebook.com/donate/3098269430211122/

Donation Payable to: Tzu Chi
Mailing Address: Tzu Chi Foundation 
15 Summer Street 
Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464
If you have any urgent need for assistance, please call Tzu Chi Foundation Boston Service Center
Phone: 617-762-0569
Email: [email protected]

In these times of unrest and fear, apart from giving financially, there are many other actions we can take to help end this pandemic. Tzu Chi is promoting a global movement to go vegetarian in fighting this pandemic. We urge everyone to change their diet and increase the number of plant-based meals in sending love for mother nature. As Tzu Chi’s founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen repeatedly reminds us, taking a plant-based diet to stop taking lives is the answer to many issues that mankind faces, including this pandemic and the possible disasters in the future.

Also, Tzu Chi is gathering the power of prayer. Since the outbreak, Tzu Chi volunteers have been praying for everyone and every family affected. We invite everyone, regardless of your religion or faith to join us in gathering the power of kind thoughts. The more well-wishes there are, the more strength we can gather. Please learn more from tzuchi.us/coronavirus

This COVID-19  pandemic has an unprecedented scale. Let us work together to safeguard our communities, our homes and provide medical supplies to the medical workers at the frontlines and support the livelihood of vulnerable low-income families.​