~Urge businesses to donate, reduce wastage~
The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation continued its assistance to fire victims with donations of clothing and rice to 18 families who were affected by the devastating inferno which destroyed a number of wooden homes in Wesley Lane, Cole Bay on Sunday, October 13.
The Foundation along with six pupils from All Children’s Education (ACE) Foundation made a second visit those affected on Wednesday, October 23 and turned over the items to the fire victims.
The visit was not only geared towards relieving the challenges faced by those who lost everything in the blaze; it also served as a lesson for pupils who learnt the value of assisting others in their times of need and the importance of volunteerism.
The receiving families were grateful for the assistance, love and care shown by Tzu Chi as well as of the numerous businesses, groups and individuals who have responded with assistance.
Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung said the gesture by donors show that St. Maarten is truly a friendly island.
Tzu Chi will continue to assist the fire victims as its members and volunteers continue to put together packages and clothing for the victims.
Tzu Chi said following the fire, many businesses responded by donating food items to fire victims with just one or two days before they expire.
The Foundation made a special call on businesses, in particular, supermarkets to pay keen attention to the shelf life of their stock and instead of giving these items at the eleventh hour of expiry to fire victims; they should be donated at least two weeks before they expire. She said recipients will be able to make better use of the items this way.
She said items can also be donated early instead of them being left on store shelves to expire and thrown away adding to the country’s garbage load. In addition to fire victims; Tzu Chi said there are many persons in the country who go hungry and donating these items in a timely manner; instead of too close to expiry would be a blessing to those in need and will in turn result in blessing those who donate them.
"Your kindness in helping the needy will be rewarded to the maximum and you will be blessed because you will be reducing the garbage burden on Mother Earth. Together we can create a blessed St. Maarten for all of us."
Captions for photos:
Tzu Chi volunteers and ACE pupils with some of the persons affected by the fire.
An ACE pupil donates rice to a fire victim.