In May 2009, the Jesusita Fire burned more than 8,733 acres in Santa Barbara County, California, destroying or damaging approximately 80 homes and resulting in at least 30,000 people being evacuated.

During the rally that followed, firefighters from six counties raised funds for survivors and burn organizations. In supporting the firefighters’ heroic efforts to protect the lives and homes of citizens, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed US$11,000 to the Santa Barbara and Ventura County Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors. It was presented on June 4 by our Los Angeles Association members at the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, along with gift bags and an appreciation letter signed by Master.

Thank you letter and receipt from Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors for Master’s US$11,000 contribution

In return, Rally 2009 Chairman, Mr. Scott French, wrote a thank you letter to Master, saying, “On behalf of the Firefighters, Quest wishes to express a deep thanks and appreciation to you, Supreme Master Ching Hai, for your wonderful contribution and acknowledgement of the job and sacrifice that Firefighters make for the community.”

Mr. Mel Hokanson received Master’s contribution on behalf of the Los Angeles County Fire Deparment.

Sadly two months later, firefighters Tedmund Hall and Arnaldo Quinones lost their lives in the line of duty. Both men were working the large fire in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, that destroyed approximately 89 buildings, burned 160,577 acres, and caused thousands of residents to flee. Hearing of the tragedy, Supreme Master Ching Hai sent Her love and another check of US$10,000 to the Los Angeles County Firefighters Memorial Widows and Orphans Fund which was delivered by our local Association members on September 24. The Los Angeles County Fire Department expressed their sincere gratitude for Master’s generous contribution and pledged that 100% of it would be presented to the Hall and Quinones families.

Thank you letter and receipt from the Los Angeles County Fire Department for Master’s US$10,000 contribution

We pray for the protection of those living in the Los Angeles area as well as the heroic firefighters who face the region’s dangerous blazes, and hope that such disasters will diminish through our increased kindness to all of Earth’s co-inhabitants and the environment.

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