Buddhist group donates $10 million to NYC Superstorm Sandy victims
A Buddhist disaster relief organization is donating a whopping $10 million to Superstorm Sandy victims in New York City, in the form of Visa debit cards.
City Comptroller John Liu announced the plan Sunday outside P.S. 277 in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, with representatives of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation and other religious organizations.
The Tzu Chi Foundation, considered one of the most effective aid organizations in Asia, raised the money from contributors from around the world. Most eligible families will get cards preloaded with $600, which can be used to buy everything from food to baby diapers, or to fix broken electrical systems. The volunteers have also distributed food and blankets as well as hot meals and hygiene kits.
“The words ‘Tzu Chi’ mean ‘Compassionate Relief’ in Mandarin and that’s exactly what we hope our aid will bring New Yorkers in their time of greatest need,” George Chang, Executive Director, Buddhist Tzu Chi Northeast Region, said in a release.