Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

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Tzu Chi Celebrates 10 Years in Las Vegas
Love in the World
Environmental Mission that Never Sleeps
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Love in the World
(Music by Wu Yu-bai; Lyrics by Yao Ruo-long)

Thank you for giving me such a warm embrace
Staying by my side when I feel sad
Now my heart's full of love, I won't bend in the wind
Lend my shoulder for people to cry on
Sincerely I give you an understanding smile
Staying by your side to end your worries
Just when you raise your head and your tears flow no more
Oh, how it moves my heart
I know there's love in this world that's worth waiting for
Closed hearts will open up eventually
Wounds will heal when we forgive, doubts will vanish when we care
Trust is the most moving love

Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Perhaps it was because of her foresight that many people are still inspired today by these words to provide continuous support to the blind around them.

Since the establishment of the Center for the Blind in Las Vegas’ old urban area on 1001 N. Bruce Street, members of the Leo Club and other private association have been providing free lunches to about 70 blind people on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Due to a lack of funds, only Taco chips were served on Wednesdays, which became synonymous with the rumbling sound of an empty stomach. Many of the members of the center are financially challenged; so they can only have one meal a day and on Wednesdays, they had to go hungry.

After learning of this situation, Gao Cui-ling, who works in the Las Vegas sector of Tzu Chi International Medical Association, started mobilizing Tzu Chi volunteers to take part in a program at the Center for the Blind. Every first and third Wednesdays of the month, the volunteers provide lunch meals at the center. They also organize monthly birthday celebrations. They prepare birthday cakes and presents and sing happily together to celebrate the happy days. The birthday boys and girls are all moved to tears; they are grateful for the loving company of the volunteers.

Since April 2007, the volunteers in Las Vegas have been going to the center every fortnight without fail, preparing lunch for the blind. Every three months, they also assist a caring podiatry physician, Dr. Merck, in helping the blind trim their toe nails. Since many lost their sight from diabetes, it is necessary for them to receive prompt foot and leg care in order to avoid amputation. Dr. Merck has been quietly providing his services at the center for 23 years, to show his care. The volunteers first help the blind wash and soak their feet to soften their toenails; this eases the doctor’s job of trimming the toenails and keeps the feet healthy and comfortable. After Dr. Merck finishes trimming the toenails, the volunteers transform themselves into foot-care angels. They massage the feet and wipe them clean: they apply skin care ointment and, finally, help the blind put on their socks and shoes before assisting them to stand and escorting them back to their seats. The residents always look forward to the "gentle feet cleansing day" once every three months. Solomon, one of the residents, said: “it feels like paradise!”

Veronica Wilson, chief supervisor of the Blind Center of Nevada, came in person to the anniversary celebration. She stepped up to the stage and gave a speech and a thank-you letter. “I sincerely hopes that Tzu Chi's care for the past six years will continue for the decades to come,” she said.