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POMONA, CA— Through a donation match program, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, also known as Tzu Chi USA, is raising funds for COVID-19 relief efforts nationwide. Through the Flatten the Curve campaign, we have already donated the following to date across 370 institutions (including over 166 hospitals):
- 493,378 surgical masks
- 36,712 gloves
- 17,674 N95 respirators (and/or alternatives including KN95s)
- 7,899 bottles of disinfectant spray
- 3,670 bottles of hand sanitizer
- 2,097 bags of groceries
- 1,476 handmade cloth masks
- and much more…
These supply donations and drop-offs have resulted in growing community partnerships in states and populations that are particularly hard hit and vulnerable. This includes one with California State Senator Connie M. Leyva, who delivered supplies from Tzu Chi USA to a homeless shelter in Pomona, CA on March 30. The donation included 2,000 surgical masks, 12 bottles of Lysol, 12 bottles of hand sanitizer, 230 Clorox wipes, and more.
“Thank you Tzu Chi, we appreciate you and everything you do. This is going to help one of our homeless shelters right here in Pomona, thank you, we love you!” Senator Connie M. Leyva, California State said. “We have also provided medical supplies to Elmhurst Hospital, in Queens, New York- an institution widely considered the ‘epicenter of the epicenter.’ In two distributions on March 31st and April 10, Tzu Chi volunteers delivered 4,300 surgical masks, 395 N95 respirators, and 50 K95 respirators there.”
Taking a broader approach, Tzu Chi New York volunteer and Tzu Chi International Medical Association Deputy Director Dr. Kenneth Liao clarified Tzu Chi volunteers’ role in providing support to frontline healthcare workers.
“We are not first-responders, but we are second responders, trying to safeguard the life [of the people] who are working so hard and risking their own lives: the doctors, nurses, and health [care] professionals.”
Dr. Kenneth Liao, Deputy Director, Tzu Chi International Medical Association
Tzu Chi USA seeks the support of organizations and individuals so we can continue our COVID-19 relief efforts. Contributions may be made via:
- online at https://tzuchi.us/donate/cause/coronavirus
- via mobile app on Tzu Chi Connect
- by phone at 1-888-9TZUCHI (888-989-8244)
ABOUT TZU CHI USA
Tzu Chi USA, also known as the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, is an international non-profit humanitarian organization with over 10 million volunteers and supporters worldwide. The heart of our organization (which was founded in 1966 by a Buddhist nun named Dharma Master Cheng Yen) is embedded in our name: in Chinese, “tzu” means compassion and “chi,” relief. Learn more about us at www.tzuchi.us.
