Fo Guang Members in Los Angeles Unite with the Community to Bring Warmth and Compassion During Winter
【Report by Iris, The Life News Agency, Los Angeles, USA】
Organized by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) and co-hosted by the Long Beach Subchapter, the Fo Guang Winter Clothing Donation Drive partnered for the eighth consecutive year with Union Rescue Mission (URS). On December 13, 2025, the initiative collected essential supplies for three homeless service centers across the greater Los Angeles area. Donations included shoes, socks, blankets, clothing, toys, and hygiene items, helping meet the basic daily needs of children, youth, and adults experiencing homelessness during the winter season.
Beginning at 7:00 a.m., before dawn, and amid dense fog, Venerable Huize, advisor to the Long Beach Subchapter, led Executive Secretary Tan Tan-Guang, supervisors Huang Shao-Fen, Lin Lu-Ming, and Tsai Hsin-Yu, together with sixteen Fo Guang members, to arrive early at the Hsi Lai Cultural Center to sort and organize donated goods. Despite a demanding schedule, Venerable Huidong, Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, visited the site to offer encouragement and support to the volunteers. As additional volunteers joined throughout the morning, coordinated teamwork and efficient collaboration ensured a smooth workflow. The event concluded successfully at 2:00 p.m., with three shipments totaling 36 pallets of donated supplies delivered to URS.
The donation drive received generous support from multiple organizations and individuals. Fortune Dynamic contributed 1,152 pairs of socks, while the Los Angeles Chapter donated 13 boxes of blankets, five boxes of scarves, one box of socks, and one box of leg warmers. In addition, Kevin, a volunteer from Hsi Lai School, donated hooded coats and backpacks, providing timely relief to those in need during the cold winter months.
Lori Ebner, a representative of Union Rescue Mission, praised BLIA for its thoughtful planning, orderly execution, and effective use of facilities and transportation resources, noting that these strengths have helped to sustain a stable and long-term partnership between the two organizations. Theresa Lee, a volunteer from the charity organization Making Spirits Bright, also commended the strong team spirit demonstrated by Fo Guang members, emphasizing that close cooperation ensures that donations and care reach those most in need.
The Hacienda Heights Women’s Club, a long-standing partner in the initiative, continued its support this year and, for the first time, dispatched members to assist with sorting supplies, highlighting the compassion and engagement of the local community. Venerable Huize remarked that this winter outreach effort exemplifies Fo Guang members’ commitment to practicing Humanistic Buddhism. Through concrete action, compassion is translated into service, bringing warmth, dignity, and hope to those facing hardship.
Photo Captions (01–07, photos by Chang Chih-Cheng)
