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Upon hearing that a local animal shelter had recently had a fire, Abigail Heiselt thought, “I should do something to help the animals.” So on her 11th birthday, instead of asking for presents like most kids her age, she asked her friends for dog food to donate to the shelter. By the end of the day, Abigail received over 500 pounds of food to deliver to the shelter! During Abigail’s party, her 14-year-old sister, Haley, took photos and wrote a press release for local newspapers, in which she noted, “Abigail didn’t want them to have to put any animals down because they could not afford to feed them. My family and I could not be more proud of her! She is a very special sister. I love her very much.”

Abigail’s compassionate action has inspired her friends and her sister to do the same on their birthdays. For her noble deeds in helping our animal friends, Supreme Master Ching Hai bestowed on Abigail the Shining World Compassion Award. When Abigail’s mother, Lisa Heiselt, received the news of the Award from Supreme Master Ching Hai, she was deeply moved to tears. She replied, “It is truly an honor for my family and especially Abigail to be recognized in such a way by your great humanitarian organization and Supreme Master Ching Hai. How you found her in this great world of ours is remarkable and wonderful.”

Receipt from Abigail’s mother for the US$200 gift by Master

The Award and US$200 gift from Master were presented by our Association members on October 4, Golden Year 5 (2008), and Abigail was ecstatic to receive the recognition. After learning that Master had published books about Her birds and dogs, talented Abigail also made a picture book called My Animal Friends to honor Master’s love and generosity. In her thank-you letter to Master, she wrote, “I thank you very much for choosing me. When my mom told me, I couldn’t believe it. I was really happy! Again, thank you. I will always treasure it.”

Thank you, Abigail, for your kind and compassionate heart. You are uplifting our world with your inspirational example of love in action.

If you wish to know more about the beautiful things happening in our world, please check out our archives of awards presented over the years, including the Awards of the Month. Go!!

 

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