Los Angeles Fo Guang Members Join Community Efforts to Bring Warmth to Those in Need

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple
December 24, 2025

Hosted by Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Los Angeles Chapter and co-organized by the Long Beach Subchapter, the “Buddha’s Light Clothing Drive” partnered for the eighth consecutive year with Union Rescue Mission (URM) to collect essential supplies for three homeless shelters across the Los Angeles area. Held on December 13, 2025, the annual winter drive gathered shoes, socks, blankets, clothing, toys, and hygiene products to support the basic needs of children, youth, and adults experiencing homelessness.

At 7 a.m., before dawn broke and amid thick morning fog, Venerable Huize, monastic advisor to the Long Beach Subchapter, led Event Coordinator Angela Tan and Elder Supervisors Gena Ooi, Ming Lam, and Elsa Chai, along with 16 volunteers, arrive early at the Hsi Lai Center to begin sorting and organizing donations. Despite a busy schedule, Hsi Lai Temple Abbot Venerable Huidong also came to offer encouragement. As more volunteers joined throughout the morning, teamwork and coordinated efforts kept operations running smoothly. By 2 p.m., the event concluded successfully, with three shipments totaling 36 pallets of donated goods delivered.

The drive received strong support from multiple contributors. Fortune Dynamic donated 1,152 pairs of socks, while the BLIA Los Angeles Chapter provided 13 boxes of blankets, five boxes of scarves, one box of socks, and one box of leg warmers. Kevin, a volunteer from Hsi Lai School, also donated hooded coats and backpacks, offering timely assistance to those facing the winter cold.

URM representative Lori Ebner praised BLIA for its thorough planning and efficient execution, noting the effective use of space and transportation resources that have sustained a long-term, stable partnership between the organizations. Theresa Lee, a volunteer with the nonprofit Making Spirits Bright, also commended the strong teamwork demonstrated by BLIA members, emphasizing that close coordination ensured donations reached those who needed them most.

The Hacienda Heights Women’s Club, a longtime co-organizer, continued its participation this year and, for the first time, sent members to assist with sorting donations, highlighting the strength of local community engagement. Venerable Huize remarked that the winter relief effort exemplifies the practice of Humanistic Buddhism, turning compassion into action and bringing warmth and hope to those in need.