Battalion Chief Michael Canty(second on the right) of the New York Fire Department accepts gift certificates offered by Supreme Master Ching Hai for the children of firefighters.

Ms. Tama Reilly (second on the left) of the UFA Widows' and Children's Fund accepts gift certificates offered by Supreme Master Ching Hai for the children of firefighters.

A On the tragic day of September 11, 2001 in New York City, Master instructed fellow initiates to prepare some heartwarming gifts for the children of the victims. Soon after, She instructed us to contribute the remaining relief funds to the children of New York firefighters, both victims and non-victims alike., so that they could buy the toys of their choice. Thus, we spent the remaining US$37,300 on purchasing 746 gift certificates valued at US$50 each. The certificates, enclosed in separate envelopes, were presented to the New York Fire Department and the UFA (Uniformed Firefighters Association) Widows' and Children's Fund.

At 1:30 PM on October 11, four fellow initiates arrived at the New York Fire Department headquarters, and with Master's blessings, easily found a parking place nearby, which was a miracle on a working day in downtown Manhattan. In the lobby, we were met by two young gentlemen, who told us that several firefighters were still at the disaster site and some materials were still smoldering under the debris. They were upset at the loss of so many friends, including the 343 firefighters who had died in the rescue work.

When we met Battalion Chief Michael Canty, we introduced our group and explained the purpose of our visit. We then presented him with gift certificates valued at US$18,000, as well as Master's sample booklets and News magazines. He promised to forward the gifts to the children of the firemen and expressed his appreciation of Master's love before taking some pictures with us.

From the fire department, we drove to the office of the UFA Widows' and Children's Fund, where we were met by Ms. Tama Reilly. She was delighted to receive the gift certificates, exclaiming that the children would be overjoyed to purchase the toys and gifts they wanted. She said some people gave toys like teddy bears which are not easy to store or handle. Ms. Reilly enquired about our group and showed great interest in Master's teachings and meditation. She and a colleague were deeply moved by our loving acts and thanked us for our carefully--prepared gifts, valued at US$19,300, for the children of the firemen who had lost their lives in the rescue work.