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On Sunday, December 11, 2022, Tzu Chi USA organized a Free Family Medical Clinic event at Indian Springs High School from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Inland Chinese Association (ICA), composed of Taiwanese Americans, also hosted the event, as they held a shoes-donation ceremony donating 1200 pairs of shoes for the “Shoes for Kids” project.
Since 2019, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles (TECO-LA), the de facto Consulate General of the Republic of China (Taiwan), has taken part in the “Shoes for Kids” project. This year, TECO-LA was delighted to join efforts and partner with the ICA again, as together, the ICA and TECO-LA have donated more than 7,000 shoes to kids in need since then.
For the past 15 years, Gary Liaou, President of the ICA, has been offering his family-owned farm for charitable orange-picking fairs each year from early February to late March. Since joining the project, TECO-LA has continuously visited Gary Liaou’s farm to help fundraise and support the cause. The revenue is donated to the “Shoes for Kids” project fund, and collectively, over 11,000 shoes have been given to students in need in the Inland Empire.
Congressman Mark Takano joined the event, and Supervisor Jeff Hewitt of Riverside County and Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. of San Bernardino County were also present showing their support.
Both Tzu Chi USA and the ICA are composed of devoted Taiwanese Americans serving the communities and presenting Taiwan’s image of “warm power” in the U.S.
On December 11 2022, Cheng-Yu Chang, Deputy Director General of TECO-LA (fifth on the left) donated total 1200 pairs of shoes to six recipients, witnessed by Supervisor Jeff Hewitt of Riverside County (first on the left) and Congressman Mark Takano (second on the left)
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