Typhoon Morakot: follow-up

2011年2月24日星期四 (reference: http://menglin1022.blogspot.com/2011/02/99.html)

已故老師捐款助學 泰武鄉99名學童受惠

文/李孟霖

日前癌症病逝的清華大學藝術中心講師洪麗珠，因學術行動研究而與泰武鄉結緣，有感於原鄉孩子常在家中經濟困頓下，喪失了學習的機會，於是許下幫助部落孩子的心願，期盼培育出研究人才，返鄉投入部落研究，延續、承接著他生前熱愛的部落藝術文化的研究。在屏東家扶中心的牽線下，洪麗珠老師慈善基金共捐贈出13萬6仟元的獎助學金，共計有99名泰武鄉學童受惠。

「貧窮不能打敗你的求學鬥志」，洪老師生前常以此來鼓勵原鄉部落的孩子，今日於泰武國中舉辦捐贈儀式，由洪老師的夫婿刑泰剛先生代表病逝的老師出席，受贈的99位學童也將親手製作感謝卡回饋給已故的洪麗珠老師。泰武國中的林姓學生寫道：「謝謝妳(指洪麗珠老師)這份來自不一樣世界的關心與愛，讓我一樣感受到人的溫暖，我自許將來也有能力能夠像妳一樣，去幫助需要幫助的人，因為施比受更有福、更快樂．．．。」

洪老師生前的好友邱霄鳳(泰武鄉族語老師)分享，洪老師一路以獎助學金求學，到被癌症病魔附身，是個愛生命、學習、原住民族群的人，只祈求上帝教導她數算生命中的美好，讓她用生命的餘力來完成原住民族的研究，期待透過文化的傳承、被看見，讓原住民族人能夠更愛自己的文化與上天賦予的天籟才能來代表洪麗珠老師及其夫婿刑泰剛先生勉勵在座的99位泰武鄉學童。

頒獎典禮的尾聲，由邱霄鳳老師帶領著與會的來賓，一起象徵性的將汽球愛心，一起種在花盆裡，象徵著大家帶著與洪麗珠老師一樣，有著對弱勢家庭學童關愛的精神，一起把愛找回家，把愛種在學童的心中，再把愛傳播到社會各個角落，讓這個社會充滿愛的氛圍，讓愛這個善的種子不斷在社會中循環與發芽，場面溫馨與感人。

屏東家扶中心表示，洪麗珠老師本為家扶長期認養人，在病逝後，仍願為偏鄉貧困兒童付出的情懷，相當感動。尤以八八風災過後，泰武村民必須遷村至永久屋，對部落居民的生活環境與經濟維持產生巨大的衝擊，家扶中心辦理受災地區學校認養方案，協助並陪伴受災的居民，透過向社會勸募，提升學童身心發展，並透過社會企業辦理，協助受災地區災民學習第二專長。

屏東家扶扶幼主委邱吉興/陳淑蘭分區主委/許月圓副主委夫人及傅敏峯主任、邱霄鳳老師等與會來賓，一起將病逝的洪麗珠老師的愛心種在花盆，象徵在今天99位獲得獎助學金的學童的心中種下希望，未來可以一起將愛傳播出去，永留人間(屏東家扶中心 提供)

On Year 2009

讓我與您分享我們在台灣的義工是如何運用您的捐款來協助這些因八八水災而變成失親兒的故事..

八八水災發生的第一時間，身在美東的我們只能隔著電視關心災情，但在不同時空的同一時間，Peggy Chen 的同學 Miss. X 已駕著她四輪傳動的車子，前進災區。

Miss. X是十年前 921地震的受災戶，她深知災民的痛及需求，立即放下手邊的工作，前進災區回饋當初陌生人給她的援助及溫暖。當她從六龜育幼院回來後，在前往阿里山災區前，分享了災區現狀給我們的義工 Peggy Chen，而後，才會有我們發起募款及後來的這些關懷失親兒的個案。

由於大家的慈悲心,雖然大家已先前捐錢給慈濟協助救災了，但大家還是傾囊相助地，讓我們在短短的一星期內，很快就累積了台幣15萬的捐款，衷心感謝。

當我們隨著Miss. X 的救災腳步後，我們發現台灣處處是溫情。當義工 Vivian Wu 接觸廠商們表明購物意願之際，廠商立即全都變成了慷慨的捐贈者，也因為如此事件不斷地發生，造成我們的台幣15萬一直留在手上。

後來,由於 Miss X 的掏心建議，我們已從對八八水災災民的救急金，轉變成因八八水災而變成失親兒的孤兒們的長期照顧。希望我們的即時相助，這些已站在懸崖邊的孩子們可以再度看到人生的亮光。

在過去一個月，為了找尋這些失親兒，我幾近每天與義工 Peggy 在國際電話線上，由於我們人全在美東，在台灣的Peggy 有三個小小孩在身邊，這種環境因素實在困著了我們的救災，就在此時，上天聽到了我們的心聲，瓊瓶師姐即時貢獻了她的哥哥李居士，Angela Huang 貢獻了黃伯母，林妙玲貢獻了她所有在高雄的親人幫我們協尋及照顧八八水災的失親兒。我們依舊在尋找住在嘉義的朋友，可以做我們的義工來幫助這些失親兒。

我們承諾孩子們，只要他們願意站起來，我們就願意協助他們找到屬於自己的光。

目前在 Exxon Mobil Corporation 工作的 Mr. Timmy Yee,已經透過公司的 charity matching program 正式加入我們，一起來協助失親兒走出失親陰霾，及勇敢自信地面對未來。如果您有興趣加入我們一起來兌現這個承諾， 請寄 email 到 EvergreenSeniorCare@gmail.com 。

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Case 6~17: 高雄縣大寮鄉中庄國小(高雄縣大寮鄉中庄村中庄路59號)

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由於台灣政府提供災民相關生活扶助、就學、就業、就醫、稅捐、房屋重建、融資及企業紓困等助濟已兌現,所以在該校的輔導老師建議下,我們將這些錢幫助了下列十位孩童並存入中庄國小教育儲蓄專戶。

<1>李x政:$1337, 該生為單親暨低收入戶，生活困難。
<2>鍾x融:$1337, 該生父母為臨時工，工作不固定，家境困難。
<3>薛x妤:$1270, 該生單親，母扶養三子女，生活困苦。
<4>陳x晴:$1433, 媽媽出走，祖母罹癌，父親收入微薄，家境清寒。
<5>陳x致: $1448, 父母打零工，經濟負擔重。
<6>洪x凱: $1448, 該生單親，父需撫養三個小孩，經濟困難。
<7>潘x吉: $2124,該生父親精神狀況不穩，長期失業，經濟困難。
<8>塗x宇:$3262, 該生為高風險家庭。
<9>林x勝: $1448,父母離異，爸爸沒有工作，經濟困難。
<10>黃x曄: $1448,爸爸長期失業，母親獨自扶養四子，經濟困難。
合計$16,555 NT
　

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Case 3 ~5: 那瑪夏鄉，原稱三民鄉，位於台灣南部，高雄縣東北方之山嶽地帶。該鄉地處玉山山脈之上，地勢高聳崎嶇，該鄉為高雄縣三個原住民鄉鎮之一，鄉內居民以台灣原住民族布農族為主，鄒族及排灣族次之。
在2009年的八八水災中，那瑪夏受到慘重災情。南沙魯村(原民族村)慘遭土石流吞沒，民族國小全毀。位於瑪雅村的民權國小也被土石掩埋，民生國小也全毀或半毀，而三民國中也幾乎成廢墟。
這次我們關懷的對象為那瑪夏鄉民族國小的謝xx，劉xx和李xx等三位小朋友。由於88風災摧毀校園，目前民族國小全校寄讀於高雄縣旗山國小(地址:高雄縣旗山鎮華中街44號)。

謝xx小弟弟只有五歲,在這次災變前，剛好被70歲的阿嬤謝喜妹帶到屏東縣看醫生，祖孫倆才幸運躲過一劫。然而他的爸爸媽媽都住在小林村，一家全都不幸遭土石吞噬，祖孫倆現在都住在安置中心。

Detail story, please see http://www.eden.org.tw/news_detail.php?bulletin=1&b_id=472

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Case 2: 由於李居士的先行作業敏捷，省了不少我們在找孫同學的時間，也謝謝林窗良伯伯及林伯母陳秀玉女士花了很多時間且自費親臨路竹高中與孫同學面談。面談後的報告請
見 Note 2。

教育部案例編號：098-03774
基本資料： 高雄縣路竹鄉縣立路竹高中 -- 孫○○
需求金額：NT$36,000
案件說明：
在莫拉克颱風侵襲台灣期間，無情的大雨挾帶土石流吞噬了孫同學再甲仙鄉小林村的家人，孫同學雙親及弟弟在八八水災中掩埋於土石中，屋毀人亡，孫同學與親屬15人等從此天人永隔。原本和樂興旺的大家族，如今僅剩下大伯何叔叔嬸嬸一家。如今孫同學尚未成年，卻必須一肩扛起一切的生活重擔，隻身在外求學，急需社會持續關懷與救助。

Note 1: 由於事先溝通有誤,所以路竹高中的收據捐款人將會修正成為 "Evergreen Home care"。等到我們收到修正的收據後,我們會再度 post。

Note 2: 下文為來自林窗良伯伯的報告
有關路竹高中 3 年級孫xx同學之救助行動, 已於本(9)月23日上午完成.
此行知悉該生在學中平日自理起居, 尚能克勤克勞, 人際簡明, 胼手胼足,未聞累苦.
乍見其健康, 精神尚屬正常狀態, 其次在該校資料顯示, 尚有類似孫同學之個案, 現正深入確認中.
該活動照片, 因使用傻瓜相機拍攝, 俟沖洗後一併將照片連同相關收據寄上. 耑此布達.
lian0318 手啟

Note 3: 由於孫同學在年滿十八歲後，立即面臨進入社會求生存的壓力。我們會與她保持連絡。如果您有更好建言，歡迎貢獻。

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Case 1:

八八水災已過去二個月了。
我們透過口足畫家楊恩典小姐在網上的求助信函及媒體的報導,於八月中旬與六龜育幼院取得連繫,義工 Peggy Chen 花了許多時間找到六龜育幼院的連絡人,經來回溝通與連絡,知悉育幼院院童需要鞋子,在 8/30我們收到來自育幼院的細項信函後, 透過台北的義工Vivian Wu 小姐與台灣愛迪達(adidas)取得連繫,當我們表明我們想買 84 雙球鞋給災區育幼院後,台灣愛迪達(adidas)即刻允諾捐贈59 pairs 的意願。為了成全企業家的美意,我們只有贊助 25 雙新鞋在這個項目上。

由於台灣許多企業在最快的時間點上,協助了當初因八八水災而造成斷水絕糧的六龜育幼院,讓全院120位師生獲得物資補給，及生活上安全無虞。所以我們將把資金運用在幫助因八八水災而變成失親兒的孩子們身上，期幫助他們未來能在經濟及生活等方面，獲得照顧，協助他們走出失親陰霾，平安、健康、喜樂的長大。

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
donation update (8/27):
Taiwan 捐款共有 $15,583 NT
Rex Chen family(TAIWAN):$ NT (TAIWAN local receipt)
Wu family (TAIWAN): NT (TAIWAN local receipt)
以下捐款共有 $134,417 NT
Indtai Inc. (Sterling, VA) $250 US (check received)
Quach family(Arlington, VA): $537.15 US (check received)
Tsai family(McLean, VA): $200 US (check received)
Tasy & Hsu family (Fairfax, VA): $50 US (check received)
Byles family(Rockville, MD): $200 US (check received)
Tseng family(McLean, VA): $534.14 US (check received)
Roche family(Bethesda, MD): $100 US (check received)
Cowen family(Vienna, VA): $50 US (check received)
Yee family(Derwood, MD): $100 US (check received)
Chang family (Derwood, MD): $100 US (check received)
Jennifer Ho(NC): $20 US (check received)
Lau family (Vienna, VA): $100 US (check received)
Wu&Lee family (New Jersey): $200 US (check received)
Chen & Lin family : $300 US (check received)
TTW Solution, Inc : $400 US (check received)
JJWinner company(New Jersey) : $1000 US (check received)

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在生命的幽谷看見人生幸福~蕭建華

source: shared email from Shannon Lin

演講紀錄 : 蕭文成 Study
主題：在生命的幽谷看見人生幸福
主講：蕭建華
◎成功大學鳳凰文學散文獎及最佳演員獎
◎周大觀文教基金會第11屆全球熱愛生命獎章得主
即使連走路都有困難，依然用熱愛生命感動眾人，講畢眾人深受感動起立熱烈鼓掌

我！蕭建華，出生在雲林縣林內鄉，在家排行第十一，可想而知父母親的生活壓力非常的大，於是3歲就被送到台北的孤兒院，國小開始讀書的時候才知道有種人叫爸爸、有種人叫媽媽，有個地方叫做「家」，也因為在孤兒院活，在學校常常被同學笑是沒人要的野孩子。一直到國小5年級被南投縣的一位老兵領養，而我的養母是原住民布農族，於是我有了一個真正的家。
但國中2年級那一年養父病逝，我們才相處了短短的4年，一下子就必須面對生計的問題，雖然我成績優秀，卻是當時三百個畢業生裡面唯一一個沒有參加升學考試的學生，因為養母跟我說：「家裡沒有人賺錢，媽媽的身體不好，如果你去讀書，那這個家怎麼辦」，於是我決定一肩扛起養家的責任，把跟叔叔伯伯借來的報名費還給人家，放棄升學開始半工半讀的生活。
國中畢業之後沒能再升學，國中畢業的學歷也難以找到好的工作，於是我早上清晨3點騎著腳踏車，開始挨家挨戶送報紙，7點多再換個裝到西餐廳吧檯當學徒，17歲再到台中汽車修護廠學做黑手，也存了一筆錢讓媽媽在我當兵時可以使用。
入伍之後在陸軍特種部隊服役練就了一身強壯的體格，退伍後經長官介紹來到台南市擔任駕駛工作，各位叫得出名字的各種高級豪華房車我都開過，但幾個月後我一直想，我的未來要這樣過嗎？我的未來要在別人的指揮中過日子嗎？於是我辭掉這份薪水優渥的工作到處遞履歷，但國中畢業幾乎沒有人要請我上班。

26歲那一年養母過世，長達8年的苦熬終告結束，我終於可以走我自己的路、開始走自己的人生。白天我在揮汗如雨地在建築工地打雜，晚上帶著滿身汗臭地換上制服到學校念書，別人潑我冷水嘲笑我幹嗎那麼辛苦時，只有我知道我要的是什麼。我先就讀了台南一中補校，後來再報考嘉南藥理學院，讀了一年又考取了成功大學中文系的夜間部，直到36歲終於完成了大學的學業並以第一名的成績畢業。
我付出比別人更多的努力才終於完成大學學業，求學的日子裡我開過捐血車、也送貨；從28歲念到36歲，整整8年沒有中斷過的半工半讀，這8年是我人生中最精華的歲月，我這麼努力我相信老天爺一定會讓我更好，不給我好那實在太沒天理啦！
這麼辛苦的撐過來，以為美好的人生正要開始，正要一步一步實現我的人生規劃時，但沒想到才剛畢業不到一年，就開始感覺右手的小指頭沒有力氣，一開始不以為意便找了間中醫針灸、電療，但是情況並沒有比較好，於是去大醫院做檢查，做了簡單的神經傳導檢查，醫生說是神經傳導有問題，吃了三個月的藥，情況並沒有好轉。

經過數月的蒙古醫生治療，醫生診斷出我是因為頸椎壓迫到神經必須開刀，不然很快手腳很快就會癱瘓，這種情況下沒有選擇的餘地，於是讓一位香港來的名師在92年動了頸椎減壓手術，七節的頸椎中的2~6節被截去一半，共損失了五節。
然而病情卻沒有好轉，而且肌力隨著我的復健卻一直流失，也讓我愈復健愈痛不欲生，狀況一直惡化，醫生卻在此時告訴我可能不是頸椎的問題，因為醫生的誤診，讓我白白挨了這一刀。後來在成大和台大榮總兩間醫院醫生聯合會診之下，診斷出我罹患了一種在國外發生率只有十萬分之六，在台灣一年出現不到十個病例，目前尚無積極治療方式的「慢性多發性脫髓鞘神經病變」，這種病類似「漸凍人」。
我的身體功能會逐漸萎縮，自體免疫系統會破壞神經，慢慢影響到我的視神經、影響到我吞嚥的功能，最後連大家最平常的呼吸我會要很困難才能進一口氣，醫生告訴我說，存活的時間大概三到五年。從92年3月發病到今天，我跟死神拔河了六年！六年了！2000多個日子裡，每一天我都得花比別人十倍甚至一百倍的力氣在努力的活著。

很多生活上的辛苦你很難想像，每天起床你會想先用哪一隻腳先下床嗎？刷牙時你會考慮如何擠出牙膏、如何刷牙嗎？每天我必須要用滾的滾下床，再用架子把自己慢慢吊起來；我必須先擠出牙膏在嘴裡，再用右手慢慢刷。
一開始的時候我也會抱怨，我當時心裡想的，都是自己失去、沒有的一切，身心俱疲，整個人跌到了谷底。小時候沒有家、沒有父母、沒有正常的家庭可以順利的完成學業，因為沒有很好的學歷，找不到好的工作，我都沒有怨言。我靠自己的努力付出最精華的八年歲月，重新站在嶄新的起跑點上，老天爺卻跟我開了這樣的玩笑！
老師們不是都跟我說以後會會苦盡甘來嗎？我身體不會更好了，我想算了！就讓我結束自己的生命吧！我買了一包木炭準備自我了斷，卻在此時我無意識地走進我的書房，我看到滿滿的書籍、講義、獎狀，我陷入了長思。

回想我成長的每一天都過得很辛苦，難道我因為生了這場病什麼都沒有了嗎？不！我回頭想想我還擁有什麼，雖然我連家人沒有了，但是生病之後學校的老師、同學、學弟妹溫暖的手一雙一雙伸了出來，讓我不再去想自己失去的有多少，而是努力去想自己擁有的，竟然是這麼的豐富與寶貴。「生命無常，我不知生命的終點和明天哪一個會先到，但面對枯萎，我能做的就是勇敢。」
92年12月當電視報章媒體披露我的故事之後，開始很多機關團體打電話來邀約我分享生命故事，「如果其中有一個人因為我的處境與想法，而改變了負面的觀念，那就是我生命殘存價值的發光」，我給自己訂下一個目標，我要講100場，講完之後我就是100分了，我可以功德圓滿離開人世間了。
當我講完第一百場演講時，才經過一個月就發生了一場讓我悲痛不已的火災，因為電線走火，燒掉我的房子，我記得好清楚，那一天我拼命的哭，從有眼淚哭到沒眼淚，從有聲音一直哀嚎到沒聲音。你以為我哭是因為燒掉的房子嗎？是捨不得財物的損失嗎？

不！我哭是因為在那場猛烈的火災中，有一位從我罹病開始，即自告奮勇、自願協助照顧我生活起居的學妹，因走避不及，吸入過多濃煙，緊急送往醫院搶救了一個半小時之後，仍然宣告不治，一條無辜的生命因我而喪生，那才叫我感到萬分的悲痛與自責。陪著她在急診室的那九十分鐘，就像一整個世紀那麼漫長，每一分每一秒都攸關存亡。，看著醫護人員盡職的進行該有的急救步驟，我卻束手無策。
「老天爺，你不要帶她走！你不要帶她走…」，我希望她能聽見我的聲音，知道有人殷切的期盼她甦醒過來。「不要帶走她，不要帶走她…」這一句話在我心裡不知翻滾了千次、萬次，但就在一個半小時後，我親眼看到醫生將白色的床單，蓋過學妹清秀的臉龐，我知道任憑我卑躬屈膝、聲嘶力竭，不斷苦苦的哀求，老天爺已然是視而不見、聽而不聞，學妹還是走了！一條無辜、善良的生命因我而犧牲，那種伯仁因我而死的自責、悲痛，在那一刻，我全然崩潰了。
這個世界亂了，沒了秩序、善惡不分；沒了天理、賞罰不明。為什麼？為什麼是這樣？房子燒了沒關係，我還能投靠朋友；東西燒了沒關係，反正以後我也帶不走。但是千不該、萬不該，就是不該帶學妹離開。以為講完了一百場，對自己、對所有愛我的人，就算有了個交代；以為講完了一百場，老天爺就會放我一馬，讓我安詳的走到終點站。

讓殘餘的生命能發熱、發光，我總覺得那是我應該做的事，所以，從來不敢奢望當我傾力完成一百場之後，老天爺會給我什麼獎賞做為回饋。我掏心掏肺的在每一場講座中，告訴大家要跟我一樣感恩天、不可以抱怨老天爺，祢不給獎賞也就罷了，怎忍無端牽連一條寶貴的生命？叫我怎麼不怨？祢說，叫我如何不恨？
我被社會局緊急安置的一家小旅館裡，蜷縮在被窩裡不停的顫抖、啜泣，我不想再跨出房門一步，不想再看見窗外的藍天，因為經歷這一場惡火之後，我已經不知道該用什麼樣的心情去面對我教大家要感恩的「天」。
我不懂！不懂老天爺為何執意將我推向悲苦、去承受更多的痛苦與折磨？還不夠嗎？我都已經這樣慘了，還不夠嗎？
拉上窗簾、關上房門，把自己囚禁在這個小房間，管它外面是白天或黑夜，任憑再多的淒風苦雨、愁雲慘霧，我都無所謂了。火災後的第三天，慈濟的師姐送來幾套乾淨的衣服，讓我換掉被濃煙燻黑的舊衣，然後告訴我：「唉，誰希望自己的家遭逢火災？誰希望親人在眼前與自己天人永隔？誰都不想遇到這樣不幸的事…」。

師姐嘆聲氣接著說：「但，不幸如果真的發生了，就算你哭啞了嗓、學妹也不會再從奈何橋那邊回來了，不幸的事實能改變嗎？如果你認為學妹是因你而犧牲的，那你更應該為學妹振作起來，而不是糟蹋自己的生命，學妹的這一條命，值不值得你為她繼續再講一百場？讓學妹的精神將因你的奮起而浴火重生。今天！第六個100場就在今天！以前大家都說不可能！但它紮紮實實就發生在今天。
「一定有人曾經跟你說，你很幸福，但是這句話在你心裡有多大的感覺？你看，別人的房子那麼大，別人的車子那麼拉風，別人穿的都是名牌，別人怎那麼英俊，別人怎麼那麼漂亮，開口閉口都是別人的，但你可曾用心看看你自己呢？我為什麼不肯承認我一無所有，我幹嗎用壞心情來面對別人，雖然你們有很多是我沒有的，但我有很多是你們沒有的耶！，你們走路了不起兩隻腳，我加上拐杖我有四條腿你們有沒有！這個邁阿密頸圈你們有沒有，你們也沒有，我有耶！我家裡有一台可以幫助我站起來的電動輪椅，你們有沒有，我有耶！我用心看我所擁有的這些東西。你可以去問兩眼全盲的人幸福是甚麼？他會告訴他想擁有跟妳一樣看的見的雙眼，看的到這繽紛的世界，各位！在擁有的時就應該要去珍惜啊！每天在城市的角落裡，有人無聲無息就走了，老天爺對妳真好，因為祂帶走的不是妳！

你身邊所擁有的一切你都應該去珍惜、去感恩啊！在你很小的時候你的父母親會叫你自己換尿布、泡牛奶嗎？為何你現在用忙當藉口一個月花沒幾分鐘跟他們通電話？這十幾二十年來你是如何長大的！你還記的嗎？
你可曾仔細見到他們一天天的衰老、日子越過越少，你要等到他們進棺材了才要去墳前痛哭緬懷他們嗎？親情、友情、愛情、課業的難關，都是可以克服的，年輕的生命，不要鑽牛角尖來讓自己煩心，應該珍惜生命、更該去惜福、感恩當下。
我希望能夠用自己的故事讓更多的人受到感動，藉由我的故事讓大家願意重新思考：人存在的價值，人對於生命的態度，很多人說我是生命的鬥士，其實我很不敢當，我和許多平凡人一樣，都只是在過日子罷了。只是我相信我對生命的意義以及對生活的態度比較積極而已，面對挫折，我們常常會做出一個很容易的決定…放棄！放棄，是因為你不相信自己，你不相信自己可以克服。我，比起各位來說，應該是最有資格放棄的人，但是我沒有，因為我相信我一定可以！放棄只會讓自己一無所有，唯有相信自己堅持到底，你才會是那一個收穫最多的人。

老天爺在我們的左手放著『懦弱』，同時也在右手放著『勇敢』。很多人選擇懦弱而向下沉淪，但我選擇勇敢過了六年了，今天的我連一個保特瓶蓋都打不開了，當你的人生路上遇到多大的困難、考驗、挫折、打擊，希望你回想今天聽到的演講、看到的這個人身軀殘障的人，他堅持不向命運低頭，而你的煩惱能有多大呢？
這些是我走過的路，是我看過的風景，也許你們都無法想像，也許能夠感動你們！人活著的價值應該在你能圓滿多少生命；有多少生命，因你而圓滿。像我這樣殘疾的人都能那麼快樂，而自己四肢健全的你為何不快樂？如果今晚你們其中有一個人因為我的處境與想法，而改變了負面的觀念，那就是我生命殘存價值的發光！

Community FoodBank

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2010 Thank you letters (1/2010 ~ 8/2010)

感謝有您長期資助大華府區的社區食物銀行,讓得以仰賴該食物銀行的低收入戶家庭及暫時處於緊急飢餓狀態的家庭們,可以得到暫時的生存慰藉.
We are very grateful for your interest in volunteering with the Community FoodBank of DC Area. Without the assistance and support of volunteers like you we would not be able to address the hunger problems faced in DC Area. Your time, effort and hard work mean a great deal to the families who struggle to put food on the table each week.

Hans Buhrer 先生是每個月,固定為我們運送食物到華府郊區食物銀行的主要義工. The Seton Center是位於華府郊區的一個非營利組織,該區域大部份家庭的平均收入是在美國低收入戶的標準之下,該組織為該區民眾提供長期醫療,工作,學校及食物上的幫助.而我們只是微盡棉薄之力,長期協助該單位的食物銀行.

Mr. Hans Buhrer is one of our volunteers deliver foods to the Seton Center in Emmitsburg, MD monthly.
The Seton Center, Inc., is a nonprofit agency located in Emmitsburg, MD, that provides services for people in need, primarily in northern Frederick County. Many of the families they serve are working people living at or below the poverty level. Other medical services are provided within the framework of the core values of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul .

如果您有興趣捐贈食物或者加入我們的活動,請逕洽黃梅玲小姐.

If you're interested to donate canned foods to this program, please contact Mrs. Mei-ling Flanders.

右圖為終身奉獻給該組織的修女瑪莉

Sr. Mary of Seton Center, Emmistburg, MD

食物銀行需要您長期的資助.

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Christmas holiday

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歡迎您參觀我們 2008年的活動照片.

Please click on pictures to see details for YEAR 2008.

聖誕節季節是提醒大家感恩上蒼及回饋社區的季節.很多人會在這充滿感恩的氣氛裏,依自己的能力來提供食物,禦寒衣物及小孩玩具等分享給需要被幫助的人.讓每個人對未來都充滿希望及讓愛不斷地循環下去.The christmas season is a good time to start thinking about helping other people. This includes providing food, clothing and toys for families to enable them to experience the joy of the Christmas Season. Giving warmth, love and hope. That's what Christmas should be all about. A time to share our good fortune with our neighbours in need across the world.

我們與當地的慈善組職攜手合作,大家通力合作,義工們有力出力,有錢出錢,不論東西的大小及價值的高低,一起結合起來協助大家都可會更好的未來.

We teamed with local organisations to help needy together. We are pleased to provide you with a list of christmas related chairty programs and humanitarian organisations. Some small, some big. But all good.

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Thanksgiving Holiday

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Thanksgiving is a time of year when many people choose to give back to their community and donate to charitable causes. Because traditional Thanksgiving celebrations involve large family feasts, many charities that are popular around the holiday season are those that gather donated food for low-income families who cannot afford a Thanksgiving dinner. Additional charitable options include donating time by working in a soup kitchen, or simply donating money to a charity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ YEAR 2014

YEAR 2013

YEAR 2012

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ YEAR 2011 You’ll find our Teenagers volunteers filling Thanksgiving baskets with turkey and all the trimmings, wrapping gifts for families in need, and delivery it to families in need.

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click here to see Year 2009 Thank you letters and shopping receipts of Food baskets for needy

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YEAR 2008
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click on the picture to see Year 2008 all activities for Thanksgiving food baskets project Evergreen home care (provided Turkeys) to team with TZU CHI charity group (provided Canned vegetables) work together to help needy.

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YEAR 2007

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click on the pictures to see Year 2007 Food baskets for needy activity

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YEAR 2005

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----- Forwarded by Herbert Frazier/MWV/USS/SArmy on 11/03/2005 08:09 PM
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Hello Everyone: It has been brought to my attention that I missed a few
details, concernig our menu and specific needs for our Thanksgiving Dinner;

Our Goal Is To Prepare and Serve No Less Than 700 Meals; 300 meals served
to the homeless and needy from our mobile canteen and 400 meals served at
senior citizens apartment residents.

*It has been estimated that we will need at least 30-40 turkeys to feed 700
people (15-20 plates per turkey).

*Our MENU is tender mouth watering Turkey, delicious Macoroni & Cheese,
juicy Green Beans/Corn, Stuffing with Cranberry Sauce (jelled), a warm
Dinner Roll and Sweet Potatoe Pie, Soda (coke, etc.) and a Goody Bag of
mixed candy.

*It is a good idea for us (Captain Frazier) to purchase the items (Cheese,
pies, sodas, etc.) from Sam's Club and present the receipt to whom it may
concern, at a later date.

*The vegetables that we are using are canned and already purchased (on
hand/in stock).

*We will need 30-35 volunteers to help prepare plates, cut pies, load the
vehicles, stuff the goody bags, make sandwiches, maintain a clean work
space, serve meals from the mobile canteen.

*It Is Our Goal To Start at 9 a.m. and "cut the lights off" by 2 p.m. We
want our volunteers to spend time with there family on this holiday.
Currently we have 20 volunteers, but we need at least 10 (ten) more.

This is going to be the best Thanksgiving day ever! On last year, we
prepared and served 388 dinners to the homeless and needy. We have a
unique program, primarily because we serve meals outside the walls of our
facility to people who would otherwise go without, due to logistical or
personal reasons.

I Can't Hardly Wait; It's Going To Be A Great Day!

~Blessings

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Typhoon Morakot

莫拉克颱風災情支援網
more pictures from The boston blobe...

在美國一直以來,我們大家不分宗教及種族,都默默地在參與天主教,基督教及慈濟所舉辦的各式各樣的慈善活動.從1999年9月21日到現在,大家因慈善從陌生人而變成了一群交心的好朋友.
去年,因為受人之託,開始關注領養台灣孤兒一事,由於如此,我開始一系列造訪偏遠孤兒院一事.

當我進入偏遠山區及村落,我才注意到,大部份非官方的孤兒院都是教會主辦,且常年以來,孤兒院的食宿都非常簡樸.而附近的在地居民與十字架及教會的感情,很濃.比起我在當地喝的咖啡還濃,而且在山裏,空氣真是 "新鮮又帶點甜味"的呢,心情上真是輕鬆 ......

令人感動的事,當災難發生時,電視上看到的都是佛教慈濟人,搶進災區送救濟品 (有一種用礦泉水就能泡的飯,既乾淨又實際, 建議大家有機會試試 :)), 看到這一幕幕患難見真情的景像,在美國慈濟尚未發動捐款的同時,大家不就一群群開始就利用各種方法捐錢給慈濟.

是的,我想跟大家分享的是,只要踩在台灣的土地上,各宗教都是慈悲擁抱的.
慈濟救災經驗與智慧,在台灣,無人能比;但教會長期深耕偏遠部落,卻有安定受災人心的功用.
常年深耕災區的教會要先清理乾淨,小孩及人大才有清靜的地方可去.未來,政府要借地方給小孩上課,或災民心中的無奈與怨氣,也才會有地方可以平靜.
錢捐那裏都一樣,只要用在該用的地方,有需要的人即時受惠,錢到那個宗教, 你還計較嗎?!

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Dear my friends,
We only provided my service for the needy/charity.
Our friend Ying-ming is a Christian, and her sister (Fuang-min Huang) currently lives in Taiwan . Her church(安樂聖教會: http://blog.sina.com.tw/peacefuljoy/) are members who helped the flood victims of 8/8/09 . They are planning to collect money to purchase flashlights, batteries, medicine, daily commodities, and food. If you would like to make a donation please let me know ASAP so that I can tell Mrs. Peggy Chen how many and what items we will contribute. (Rex & Peggy Chen are representing the charity for us in TAIWAN )

Everyone who donates something will receive a donation receipt issued by the Evergreen Home Care Inc., USA. The donation recipients will also sign the donation acknowledgement form, so that we can post them on web site for everyone to view.

我們只做 charity 的事.
我們的好友英敏是位基督徒,她妹妹黃芳敏住在台灣,她的教會(安樂聖教會: http://blog.sina.com.tw/peacefuljoy/) 的弟兄姐妹們將前進災區去做義工,協助災民. 他們正在募資購買所需物品：手電筒、日用品、泡麵、乾糧、藥品、米…等前進災區.
如果您想盡點棉薄之力,請告訴我們.珮玲(佩玲是我們在台灣做慈善的執行人)會盡快讓他們知道我們總共可以認購多少項目. 你們所有的捐款項目,都可以收到 Evergreen Home care 的捐款收據.
而所有領到您們愛心的人,都會簽簽收單,屆時,我們會 post 在網頁上,讓大家都看得的.
Thanks

誰說台灣沒有愛? 請看看下列這些來自全台灣四面八方的志工,一起相邀到林邊鄉做義工.很感人 !!

資料來源:網路謝國榮的 PowerPoint

湖內、林邊目前的狀況(8/19)

物資湧入災區 育幼院斷糧了! (8/19)

六龜育幼院院童都很平安(8/20) 總統探六龜育幼院 允限期重建(8/20)

山地育幼院 == 六龜育幼院 (災區)
來自六龜育幼院的口足畫家楊恩典的blog 有六龜最新災情報告(8/26)
===========================================

資料來源:http://www.410.com.tw/

台灣東部及離島育幼院:

• 宜蘭縣私立神愛兒童之家地址：269宜蘭縣冬山鄉得安村得安路23號
  電話：03-9514652 傳真：03-9510191


• 私立財團法人幸夫愛兒園地址：269宜蘭縣冬山鄉柯林路16~6號
  電話：03-9515532傳真：03-9515520


• 財團法人佛教私立禪光育幼院地址：971花蓮縣新城鄉新城村13鄰仁愛路17之2號
  電話：03-8611698傳真：03-8612556


• (受災戶)財團法人台東縣私立阿尼色弗兒童之家地址：954台東縣卑南鄉賓朗村賓朗路二六○號
  電話：089-223194傳真：089-227641


• 財團法人天主教會花蓮教區附設救星教養院 院址：950台東市山西路一段207-1號 　　　
  電話：089-359060‧359284 傳真：089-323042
  劃撥帳號：06640829 戶名：天主教救星教養院


• 金門縣大同之家育幼組地址：893金門縣金城鎮民權路173號
  電話：0823-25053 傳真：0823-23260

台灣南部育幼院:

• 財團法人嘉義市私立修緣育幼院地址：600嘉義市永春二街30號
  電話：05-2355695傳真：05-2865929


• 台南市立仁愛之家附設育幼所地址：709台南市長和街二段36號
  電話：06-2564127傳真：06-2554441


• 財團法人台灣省私立台南仁愛之家附設育幼所地址：710台南縣永康市仁愛街5巷9號
  電話：06-2530615、2531845傳真：06-2422722


• 天宮育幼院地址：718台南縣關廟鄉下湖村下湖1-36號
  電話：06-5955414、5951978傳真：06-5951978


• 內政部南區兒童之家地址：813高雄市左營區新庄仔路48號
  電話：07-5824645轉14、15、17、18、39~41傳真：07-5816160


• 高雄市私立紅十字育幼中心（另設有高雄縣分部）地址：804高雄市鼓山區登山街28號
  電話：07-5512101傳真：07-5215769


• 財團法人高雄市私立佛教淨覺育幼院地址：807高雄市三民區正忠路453號
  電話：07-3811507傳真：07-3829123


• 聯勤國軍第二育幼院地址：830高雄縣鳳山市王生明路1號
  電話：07-7463326、7458515


• 財團法人高雄縣私立大慈育幼院地址：840高雄縣大樹鄉興田村153號
  電話：07-6561921-7304、7305傳真：07-6563848


• (災區) 財團法人高雄縣私立基督教山地育幼院地址：844高雄縣六龜鄉興龍村東溪山莊1號
  電話：07-6891054傳真：07-6893558 郵政劃撥：00423013 戶名 : 山地育幼院


• 財團法人屏東縣私立基督教信望愛育幼院地址：905屏東縣里港鄉土庫村東榮巷30~6號
  電話：08-7731202、7731644傳真：08-7731284


• 財團法人台灣省屏東縣南州鄉精明寶宮附設屏東縣私立精忠育幼院地址：926屏東縣南州鄉米崙村精明路51號
  電話：08-8642118、8642016傳真：08-8642051

donation update (8/27):
Indtai Inc. (Sterling, VA) $250 US (check received)
Quach family(Arlington, VA): $537.15 US (check received)
Tsai family(McLean, VA): $200 US (check received)
Tasy & Hsu family (Fairfax, VA): $50 US (check received)
Byles family(Rockville, MD): $200 US (check received)
Tseng family(McLean, VA): $534.14 US (check received)
Rex Chen family(TAIWAN):$ NT (TAIWAN local receipt)
Wu family (TAIWAN): NT (TAIWAN local receipt)
Roche family(Bethesda, MD): $100 US (check received)
Cowen family(Vienna, VA): $50 US (check received)
Yee family(Derwood, MD): $100 US (check received)
Chang family (Derwood, MD): $100 US (check received)
Jennifer Ho(NC): $20 US (check received)
Lau family (Vienna, VA): $100 US (check received)
Wu&Lee family (New Jersey): $200 US (check received)

Chen & Lin family : $300 US (check received)

TTW Solution, Inc : $400 US (check received)

JJWinner company(New Jersey) : $1000 US (check received)

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2009 Back-to-school project

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協助需要被協助的學童回學校就讀的所需文具
Back-to-school history pictures:

Please click on the pictures to see Year 2007 back-to-school pictures

Please click on the pictuires to see Year 2008 back-to-school pictures

YEAR 2009 (2009年活動)
Dear Friends,
Time is really flying fast. It is almost one year ago that we were busy in selling the moon cakes for the 2009 back-to-school project fundraising…and we had made $506 in proceeds. Remember that?

We also helped the lady who lives in N. VA by selling the pears back in April. (To learn the full story). We had put away $400 as a reserved fund in case she needs it. The good news is that she has found a job and does not need the money after all. In return to everyone’s help, she donated the money toward the 2009 Back-to-School project also.

With these two funding sources, plus we also had a few dollars left over from previous donation, that gave us a total amount of $912.33 for the Back-to-School project this year.

Below is the summary report of the 2009 Back-to-School project:
This year we have worked with four charity organizations in DC, Baltimore MD, and Bethesda MD area and helped more than 100 students. Some of them are from the low-income families, some are living in the shelters, and some are homeless. All money is spent on the school supplies solely. Volunteers came together to give their time and gasoline for their car for purchasing, sorting, packaging and delivering these items to various locations. Whenever there are shortage in some items, volunteers donate willingly. For the details of school supplies purchased, receipts, pictures and donations, you can find them below.

親愛的朋友們,
記得去年九月初我們為 2009 back-to-school project義賣的月餅嗎?當初我們賺了 $506 US.同時,在今年四月份的義賣水梨(故事的原委請見網頁),原先接受大家幫助的人,受到大家人飢己飢,人溺己溺無私奉獻的感召,在她找到工作後,將當初所剩的$400US,也捐出來做為2009 back-to-school 的基金.
再加上之前其它慈善活動所剩下的錢,本年度的 back-to-school的總基金是$912.33
我現在要跟您做個結餘報告:
今年我們一共與四個慈善單位合作,這四個慈善單位來自DC, Baltimore, MD and Bethsda, MD,這些文具幫助一百多位的學童,他們分別是來自DC低收入戶的家庭,有些住在僻護所,及一些流浪在街上的孩子們.所有協助採買及運送到各單位的義工的油錢及時間都是義工自行吸收, 依照我們大家當初的協定, $912.33 全數花在文具上面.當然,還有不足的部份,全由其它義工慷慨解囊.
所採買的文具細項,收據,照片及感謝函等,全數放在網頁供大家參考及見證.

所有四個單位被協助單位的文具細目及單據如下:
We spent $912.33 to buy the following items for Daughters of Charity, Providence Hospital in DC, The Salvation Army Booth House, the feeding meals program of the salvation army and The National Center for Children and Families
Backpacks : 65
scissors : 50
pencil box : 50
24 colors crayon : 50
12 colors colored pencils : 50
compass : 50
binder pouch : 50
4 oz washable school glue : 46
composition notebook : 107
150 pages notebook filler paper : 72
Pens : 660
pencils : 592
paper folder : 125
glue sticks-0.21oz : 41
eraser : 90
High-lighter : 84
16.3 oz skippy peanut butter : 8
26 oz Ragu spaghetti sauce : 12
16.5 oz hellmann's mayonnaise : 4
8.7oz ~ 12oz Cereal : 18
7.25 oz Macaroni & Cheese Dinner : 16
cup noodle : 4

The following items donated from volunteers: (義工捐贈的項目)
one-subject 70-sheet wide rule note books : 48
pencils : 48
mechanical pencils - 0.7mm : 24
ball-point pens - blue/black : 24
eraser : 1
1 set of dry erase board markers (green & red)
4 oz washable school glue : 7
10-color crayola markers : 2
glue sticks-0.21oz : 21
rulers : 64
pen:30
binder-2" : 29
binder-1.5" : 19
binder-1" : 23
for Daughters of Charity, Providence Hospital in DC:
new socks: 15 pairs
Women Panties (L~ XL) :74 packs (5~6 cnt.)
for Low-income school in TAIWAN:
used books in English: 27

Please click on the pictures to see details for shopping receipts and Thank you letters

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Feeding Homeless in The Salvation Army Feedmore mobile

Thank you letters

Since 1987, The Salvation Army Feedmore mobile feeding unit has hit the streets nightly during the winter months to provide hot, healthy meals to Baltimore City's homeless and impoverished. Feedmore's uniqueness is that basic necessities are brought directly to those in need. The Feedmore "canteen", is in operation six nights a week and is staffed by caring volunteers from throughout The Greater Baltimore Area.

Our volunteers joined it since Year 2003.
In addition to meals, our volunteers also provide health care information, clothing items, warm blankets and toiletries to those in need.
Please go to Volunteer calendar to check Dates available.
Only 6 (max) per van per night, please indicate which night you would like on the rsvp.

RSVP is REQUIRED!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Below are the directions and times that Feedmore runs at night.
Feedmore Van Schedule:
4:30 pm Volunteer meet at Salvation Army - warehouse (400 E. 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21211)
 to make 200 ~ 300 sandwiches for needy
5:00 pm go out with truck to serving foods on the street
7:00 pm Return to Shelter

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Ronald McDonald House Charities

_________________________________________________________________

How we work with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC :
Many families travel far from home to get treatment for their seriously ill or injured children. The treatment may last a day, a month, or even longer. It's a long time to be away from home, or to divide a family. Ronald McDonald Houses around the world offer families a way to stay together, in proximity to the treatment hospital, and be comfortable and cared for during their stay.

After a long day at the hospital, there is nothing better than walking into Ronald McDonald House^® to find a freshly cooked meal. While volunteering at McDonald House, we hear stories and see families endure a great deal of sorrow and pain. We see the families trying to stay positive and hopeful. We hear stories about parents quitting their jobs so they can provide the care their sick child need. We also hear stories about parents driving hundreds of miles so their child have a chance to survive. These stories touched our hearts and really made us become more grateful for our good health, our families and our lives.

On year 2013, we are more than happy to welcome more families to join us in distributing food to the needy. So far, we have 23 families who have made long-term commitments for this project. Monthly, every family contributes $50, we order food from a local restaurant (Oriental East Restaurant, silver spring, MD). The restaurant also helps by providing the food at a discounted price. On the first Sunday of each month, our volunteers go to the restaurant to pick up the food and then delivers the food and other donations (snacks, frozen dinners, cleaning supplies, household items...etc) to DC McDonald House. With that said, we're looking for more families to join us to keep this charitable project going. If you're interested in this meaningful chance and giving back to the community, please do contact us. We would be more than willing to provide you with more information as well as including you and your family in our monthly gatherings for this event.

If we can provide them with a hot meal at the end of a long and stressful day, we have done something to help ease their pain and sorrow. And maybe bring a little more hope for the future. Please contact us  if you're interested to join. Welcome Come with your friends, coworkers, family members or by yourself to make a meal for the families of RMHC.

 Thank you letter

PROFILE of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC :

The House provides critical care and support to families and youth in the midst of healthcare crises.
Description: Ronald McDonald House Charities works to better the lives of children and their families in the greater Washington, DC area. The organization provides programming that directly improves the heath and well-being of children. The core programs are the two Houses - one in Falls Church and one in Washington, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Children's National Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in partnership with Georgetown University Hospital.
History: The Washington,DC Ronald McDonald House originated in the late 1970's when Carey Randall, then president of the metropolitan Washington, DC chapter of the Candlelighters, became interested in the RMH concept. With the active support of the Greater Washington Advertising Cooperative of the McDonald's Corporation, RMH was incorporated as a non-profit, volunteer organization in 1978 and the project was launched. After extensive renovation, the 30-room, 16 bedroom house at 1326 Quincy St, NE, was opened in June of 1980. The turn of the century Spanish colonial style mansion is located on one and a half acres in a quiet, residential neighborhood in northeast Washington not far from Children's national Medical Center. The Washington RMH was the sixteenth House to open nationwide. A new wing was opened in May, 1987, providing increased living and office space as well as additional rooms for families. In December 1995, RMH merged with Ronald McDonald House Charities to become Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC, Inc. The mission expanded to include the disbursement of grants to other qualified children's charities in our geographic region. Funding for the Grants Program is made possible by the efforts of McDonald's promotions. In May 1998, the Ronald McDonald House Family Room opened in Children's National Medical Center. The room offers respite to families with children undergoing treatment on the hematology/oncology unit. In January 1998, the new Northern Virginia RMH at INOVA Fairfax Hospital became a reality. The eight bedroom facility with common living areas stands in wonderful tribute to dedicated community involvement. In January, 2004, RMHC partnered with Georgetown University Hospital and RMHC's national program to acquire and staff a Care Mobile which serves children in Wards 5 and 6 in Washington DC.
the Washington, D.C. Ronald McDonald House:(http://rmhc.greaterdc.org/our-programs/dc-house-2/)3727 14th St. NE Washington, D.C. 20017 202-529-8204
The new Washington, D.C. Ronald McDonald House opened its doors in December 2010 and serves patients from Children’s National Medical Center, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, National Rehabilitation Hospital and several other area hospitals.  The 26-bedrooms House includes common family and support areas, a family kitchen and dining room, a family library and computer room, a family laundry room.   Our newest Home-Away-From-Home also offers special isolation suites for our most immune-compromised patients.  Ronald McDonald Houses are supported by volunteers and staff, but more importantly, the Houses continue to be a quiet refuge where families in similar circumstances can support and comfort each other.

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DIY殺菌效果高達90%以上的洗手液

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洗手液可以在家自己動手做，不但能消毒，還有護手的功能。
Method 1 : 酒精和水以３∶１的比例調成７５％左右的濃度，然後加入２％左右的甘油，或者到市場上買瓶潤膚乳液作為添加劑也可以（它的主要成分就有甘油）。

Method 2 :文獻記載，所有精油中以茶樹精油殺菌效果最好，90％的濾過***毒會因此被殺死，而藥用酒精部分，試過的濃度也以70％最具殺菌效果，「90％或60％效果都沒有70％好用」，將這兩種殺菌效果最佳的產品結合在一起，再加上高分子凝固劑變成洗手液，用了之後不用洗掉，效果可維持8小時。
　　
　　所有材料都可以在化工材料行買到，成本大約10元，先將水溶性高分子膠1CC倒入100CC水中攪拌，大約半個小時到兩個小時，才會變成黏綢狀，再混入2cc的茶樹精油，共同倒入70％濃度的藥用酒精燒杯，共同攪拌就可以，不過為了避免偏於酸性，可以再逐滴加入三乙醇胺中和，整個製作過程大約一小時
　　
　　這種自製洗手露因為純度夠，比市售用品更具殺菌效果，而且因為不用沖洗，附著在手部抗菌作用可以維持8小時，如果再把它塗在口罩外側，吸進去的空氣會先經過茶樹精油跟藥用酒精過濾，空氣殺菌效果可達一天左右，比單純市售口罩更「罩得住」。
　　
　　配方及具體製作方法如下：
　　
　　原料的準備：
　　1.藥用酒精
　　2.卡波樹脂 (Carbopol 水溶性高分子膠)
　　3.茶樹精油
　　4.純淨水
　　5.三乙醇胺
　　6.PH試紙
　　
　　使用器具：
　　
　　燒杯(或其他容器)、攪拌器、天秤、放洗手露的瓶子
　　
　　所需時間：3小時
　　
　　製作洗手露的步驟
　　
　　1.先將膠溶解：將卡波樹脂 1公克 逐次加入100毫升水中，攪拌至溶液成均勻的膠狀即可(約2小時)。
　　
　　2.取上述配好的膠溶液30公克及茶樹精油2公克，放入裝有 68公克的藥用酒精燒杯(非燒杯也可以，只要是不會漏水的容器就可以)中，並攪拌均勻至透明狀。(大約可製成100毫升的潔手露)。
　　
　　3.逐滴加入三乙醇胺(純度為 99% )，並將透明液調成中性（利用ph試紙測試）。
　　
　　4.完成製作，將潔手露裝入瓶中，即可使用。
　　
　　五、使用方式：洗完手後，將潔手露適量擠出均勻塗抹在手上，手上無負擔，十分乾爽。

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A heart-warming truth of story for "Pears for sale"

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** "Chinese character Image" version was attached if you cannot read in English version.

Chinese page 1	Chinese page 2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hello All,
Often times, we were sadden by the stories and news of people who ended their lives and wondered why they did not seek for help. Maybe if we could be a little more thoughtful and understanding of the people around us and to care about our friends and neighbors…

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your generosity and compassion. We sold 127 boxes of Asian pears with the help from more than 100 families. Most people told me that the pears are a little wrinkly, but they taste really good. The truth is that the pears were supposed to become the fertilizer for this year's new pears. With everyone's help, we were able to turn trash into gold and help many people in the process.

I would like to share a store about this and hope you’ll find that is heart-warming.
The story started with a very kind art teacher (let’s call her Ms. Goodheart) who knows a very hard-working girl. This girl and her family came from China and they actually now live and work in the orchard for years. The girl has been taking classes at the near-by college after she had some money saved up. She wants to earn a college degree so she can have a better life for her family and herself. Despite with all the saving and hard working, she still needs $500 to go back to school this year. Ms. Goodheart knew about this and wants to help her to return to school. So, Ms. Goodheart bought a lot of pears from the girl and gave them to friends and neighbors, and she helps the girl to sell.

At the same time, a Northern Virginia family lost their house last summer. The mother, who earned the major portion of the household income, lost her job at the beginning of this year. The company she worked for filed bankruptcy and closed the door without any warning. The family not only faced immediate financial difficulties, they also lost the medical insurance. The mother has a chronic disorder that needs long term medical care.

With all the unfortunate events happening one after the other, you can imagine the stress she is under. She applied for low-income financial, medical and housing aid from the county. All the paper work and interviewing with the social worker was nerve wrecking. The biggest fear is that she had no idea how she can take care of her children. With all the stress, her health condition has worsened. After months of struggle, she was frustrated and felt helpless. I have learned that she was in a very difficult situation for a while, but I was still very shocked when she told me she wanted to just give up completely. After talking to her for sometimes, she finally opened up and tried to seek additional help. She decided to try again, if not for herself but at least for her two young children and they deserved a chance to live.
With your helps, the hard-working girl, the struggling mother and the soon-to-be-fertilizer Asian pear created a touching story. Here is the outcome of everyone's hard work:

We sold a total of 127 boxes of pears. The girl was supposed to receive $8 for each box sold, which came to $1016 for her share of work. She is a very honest and sensible person. She said she only needed to earn $500, so she only accepted $635 and donated $381 to charity to help others who are in need. Wow! What an admirable thing to do for a 20-year old girl.
The Northern Virginia family was supposed to get $812 (the number is not exactly matched with the number of boxes sold, since many people paid more than $12 for a box of pear). The hard-working girl and the struggling mother met during the delivery of the Asian pears. The mother is very impressed and encouraged by the young girl, who is so positive and enthusiastic. She pulled out $300 from the money I passed onto her and told me "Please thank everyone for me for their helps. I will work hard to get through this. Please use this money to help other people who need it more than me."
Something else good happened - the mother told me that the social worker already delivered the food stamps to her house. Her children can receive free medical care and school lunches. Before she is able to move to the government-sponsored housing for low-income families, her landlord is willing to lower the rent. The worse for her is over. She was able to meet new people and make new friends through selling the pears. Not only she was able to sell some pears, people are helping her to edit her resume and finding a new job. She is grateful for everyone's help and glad that she didn't just "give up" and gave herself a second chance.

This is a happy ending in my book. We were able to help two families and it is wonderful to see them become independent and confident with their lives' outlook.
We now have $681 ($381 from the girl and $300 from the mother) to help others. Since the government is cutting budgets and families and individual cutting back on spending (and thus donations), the Booth house (family Emergency shelter) of Baltimore have some immediate needs for the following items:

baby items (bottles, cups, tissues, wipes, diapers, powder and so on);baby rash cream;tooth paste;tooth brushes;bath soaps;lotion, shampoo;white linens (wash clothes, towels, fitted sheets, twin size flat sheets, pillow cases). The linens need can be used or now, but they need to be white so they can be bleached.

We will put aside $400 until this summer, just in case the Northern Virginia family would need it. If they don't need it, we will use the money for the Back-To-School program. We will use the rest of the money to purchase the items listed above to help the families in the Booth house.

The donation receipts will be issued to Dr. Cheo M Jean by the Evergreen Home Care. Dr. Jean passed away on last Wednesday, 4/15, and was a volunteer doctor for free clinic for needy in the DC Area. He helped a lot of needy when he was alive. To pay our respect for what he’s done, I think this is the best way to say “good-bye” to the beloved Dr. Jean. By the way, if anyone is thinking about buying flowers for Dr. Cheo M Jean , Mrs. Jean asked that the money to be donated to either Doctors Without Borders, Medecins Sans Frontiers – MSF, http://www.msf.org/ or local shelter.

I hope you all enjoy the pears. If the pears don't look as pretty as the ones from the Korean stores, I hope you would not mind after reading the story. Thank you for your understanding and continuous support. With everyone's help, maybe we can prevent some tragedies from happening.
Thanks again

--ada :)

** English version provided by Carol Quach and Mei-ling Flanders

How we use $281?

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