Source: Newsday

On January 20, 1999, Newsday published an article on the Flushing branch of Tzu-Chi, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Foundation, which is committed to teaching and helping the poor. Tzu-Chi, which was founded in Taiwan in 1966, has grown to more than 4 million members in 17 countries. The Flushing branch, which has 2,000 volunteers, has flourished in the area by visiting hospitals and nursing homes, shoveling snow, street cleaning, helping the homeless, and offering classes in Chinese culture, language, and philosophy. Tzu-Chi relies on donations and the work of volunteers.