Invitation to Harmony Festival 2008

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Dear friends,

We sincerely invite you to take part in the Tzu Chi Foundation's Harmony Festival 2008 campaign to increase environmental awareness. There are three key aspects of this campaign and we would be honoured to have you participate in any or all of the following:

  • We will be launching the YouProtocol, an initiative modeled after the international Kyoto Protocol, to encourage people to take personal responsibility of protecting the environment. Starting from mid-April, people are welcomed to visit www.YouProtocol.com and pledge to do at least two simple tasks such as using a hand towel to dry their hands, or turning down a running tap on a daily basis. By simply signing to follow the protocol, you can help contribute to a healthy environment.
  • To enhance the launch of the YouProtocol, we will be distributing free cotton hand towels throughout the Lower Mainland for individuals to replace the use of paper towels when drying their hands. It will be greatly appreciated if you can join our volunteer force in handing out the hand towels and spreading the word about the YouProtocol. The distribution of hand towels will commence in late April, and we will provide you with a time and place prior to the event.
  • On May 3, 2008, we will be holding the third annual Harmony Festival in Richmond's King George Park. There will be exhibitions and demonstrations of how people can lead a more environmental friendly life. We will also introduce people to sign the YouProtocol, and prepare twenty thousand free hand towels for distribution. During the morning of the event, it is expected more than two thousand patrons will join in waving the free hand towels to announce their actions in protecting the environment.

Within the past forty two years, the Tzu Chi Foundation has internationally established chapters in more than forty-five countries. Over one million volunteers have served in local communities in more than sixty-five countries. The Tzu Chi Foundation has also dedicated to the fields of international relief by building over fifteen thousand permanent houses and more than a hundred schools for disaster victims.

Tzu Chi Foundation Canada, a registered charity organization, is a member of the Taiwan-based Tzu Chi Foundation founded in 1966. Since its 1992 inception in Vancouver, the Tzu Chi Foundation Canada has contributed more than eighteen million dollars and one million volunteer-hours to local communities in Metro Vancouver, Metro Toronto, and Montreal; Tzu Chi Foundation Canada has participated in several international joint relief projects with other chapters. To recognize such contribution of Tzu-Chi volunteers, the provincial government of British Columbia along with six other B.C. municipalities proclaimed May 13, 2007 as Tzu Chi Day.

To continue contributing to the social and environmental well-being of our society, we strive to promote responsible environmental actions and hope that you will be willing to join us. We look forward to seeing you and your family at our celebration.

Date:
Saturday, May 3, 2008

Time:
10:00am to 4:00pm

Venue:
King George Park
12360 Cambie Road, Richmond, B.C. (Intersects with No. 5 Road & Cambie Rd.)

Sincerely,

Gary Ho, CEO, Tzu Chi Foundation Canada


- posted April 16, 2008