Speech by Fo-Ching Lu, SYL Foundation President, from LLCS’s Winter Gala on December 11, 2011
Vancouver, BC – Greetings to Master Lian Tzi, True Budha School (TBS) dharma brothers and sisters and special guests. I am honored to be here today to accept Lotus Light Charity Society (LLCS) and PTT Buddhist Society’s contribution to Sheng-Yen Lu Foundation. The Foundation is truly grateful to be able to rely on the support of LLCS and the True Buddha School community in advancing its mission of promoting quality health care and education for all.
SYL Foundation has been in existence for three years. In that time, we have distributed well over $600,000 dollars in grants to fund innovative health and education programs, scholarships and disaster relief aid. These funds have helped thousands of people, often in a time of great need, receive lifesaving help and tools to live a better life. I am proud to say the work we do is all through volunteers, and most of all, I am touched by the giving hearts of all you Foundation donors. Without your support, we would not be able to reach so many people in need.
When the earthquake struck Haiti last year, the True Buddha School community raised over $116,000 dollars to help with the recovery. Together with LLCS, SYL Foundation shipped emergency relief supplies and 20,000 pounds of rice directly over to more than 300 earthquake victims. 100% of the disaster relief funds are now being used to help build a state-of-the-art teaching hospital in Mirebalais, Haiti, which will not only address immediate healthcare needs of the local population, but improve the healthcare system of the entire country. I will be personally visiting the hospital next year to oversee the progress.
As SYL Foundation continues to grow, I look forward to a long and sustaining partnership with LLCS and the global TBS community. Together, we can channel our combined power and resources to improve countless lives all over the world.
I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season!
