Flood Help from Buddhists

By Justin Foss, Reporter

By Justin Foss

CEDAR RAPIDS - When you don't have anything left, standing in line to get help isn't the worst thing in the world.

"First floor, down to the basement, I'm gutting everything in my house, nothing was saved," said Patricia Blair. "Nothing."

Hundreds of people lined up in Westdale Mall for help from an organization, but they didn't know what they were getting or from whom.

"I read it in the paper." "Do you know much about them?" "Not really," said Mike Augustine.

The people helping today are from the Tzu Chi organization, originated in Taiwan. They have an office in Los Angeles. They're Buddhists that help people across the world affected by disasters.

"Originally our founder asked 30 housewives to save 2 cents a day to do good deeds," said Tzu Chi CEO William Keh.

Thursday they handed out $500 debit cards and a blanket to each family in the flood.

The people start this by standing in line, but they end with a hug and a bow. That's because this group believes in more than just giving, it's about giving respect too.

And the people in line say every little bit helps.

If you missed it on Thursday, the Tzu Chi will be at Westdale Mall until July 7th. To get help, all you need is an ID showing your home was in the flood affected area.

Email Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com
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Saturday, Jul 19 at 3:44 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Tzu Chi is an outstanding organization. In the US, it is working alongside Red Cross in being first in the front line in helping people of natural disasters.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 2:28 PM viewer like you wrote ...

Sounds too good to be true? Check it's website at http://www.tzuchi.org/global, and you will know you are not the only one who they have helped so far...

Saturday, Jul 5 at 9:00 AM Flooded In Cedar Rapids. wrote ...

The flood victim's of Mallory Street S.W, would like to Thank everybody that has came down there with help or even just a kind word. I truly believe that Cedar Rapids can rebuild but we certainly don't need SCAMMERS or THIEVES. I agree with Kathie some people need clothes, blankets, shoes and so much more. Some people didn't just lose a home they lost everything. I was born and raised here( it makes me very sad to see so many people struggling now with the question What do we do next?).

Friday, Jul 4 at 11:20 AM Karen wrote ...

The sarcastic and unnecessary remarks about the spelling of card is out of order and not appreciated. Shame on you!

Thursday, Jul 3 at 11:18 PM KC wrote ...

Well at least that husband and wife that recently got arrested won't be in this line. It is nice to see people reaching out to help the people that truly were affected. I hope they really check ID's and addresses to make sure that losers aren't in line waiting for a free handout.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 9:18 PM bobby wrote ...

why does this sound like a scam? anybody else? Who are these people and where is the money coming from? i'd be curious to see what the application looks like.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 9:00 PM disgusted wrote ...

I think it is really something to see people from all over trying to help out. It's unfortunate that more help isn't coming from closer locations- what about the mortgages these people are still having to pay? Wells Fargo brags they are helping by deferring 3 months payments- yet the details are that you have to pay those 3 months payments in a lump sum at the end of the 90 days. The economic situation for many are horrible and this is how big business "helps".

Thursday, Jul 3 at 8:55 PM Kathie wrote ...

There will always be some that try to cheat the system, a guy I know that was affected said his address on his DL din't match his residential address, he had to produce a bill that verified that he really lived there, so I think it will be hard to get away with anything from this organization. Thank God for organizations like theirs that comes to help people in their time of need.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 7:48 PM Anonymous wrote ...

$500, I think I see the fields getting in line with they're fake id. They're up to 4500 now!

Thursday, Jul 3 at 7:28 PM Kathie wrote ...

I had a friend go out there today that was affected by the flooding. She said you need a photo-id with the correct address or a utility bill with your name on and your id PLUS your FEMA number. Based off the address, they can tell if you are in the flood zone. The other thing she said was they gave you a bank and asked you to put in a quarter a day and when its full, send it to them. I think it is great that they are here. So many people need clothing, shoes and materials to repair their homes.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 5:21 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Anyways thanks from Cedar Rapids for you help. I hope good things comes to your group.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 5:18 PM Anonymous wrote ...

$500 debit cars? Hmmm, never heard of that type of car before. I hope it has an engine.

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