Saving California From The Next Big Earthquake

SOS News Release

WE ARE CONNECTED!

Saving California From The Next Big Earthquake

Earthquake S.O.S. is a lifesaving project strives to enable people around the San Francisco Bay Area to be prepared physically, mentally and spiritually for the next big earthquake. On May 26 2013, the first “Earthquake SOS” seminar, took place in Union City’s Ralph and Mary Ruggieri Senior Center. The program provided not only the know-how but also stress relief tips of before, during, and after a catastrophic event. Earthquake SOS is hosted by Purple Lotus Temple and co-sponsored by Universal Peace Foundation and Mother Samantha Foundation. Several local emergency response agencies joined to support the effort. Alameda County Fire Department and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) from Union City, Fremont & Newark delivered important earthquake preparedness tips and performed survival skills and CPR training. Disaster preparedness instructions were distributed throughout the event.

Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Mr. Richard Valle, Union City Mayor Ms. Carol Dutra-Vernaci, Union City Council Member Ms. Pat Gacoscos all came up on stage to express appreciation and remind all attendees the importance of being prepared.  Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Mr. Richard Valle presented recognition certificate to Purple Lotus Temple’s Founder, Master Samantha Chou, in acknowledging Purple Lotus’s charitable devotion to the Bay Area communities for  the past 25 years . A certificate of recognition from Congressman Eric Swalwell was also presented in the event to congratulate the event success. New Hope Church Pastor, Reverend Reginald Easterlings and monks from Wat Buddhanuson Temple are the religious leaders among the VIPs. Together with Master Samantha, they l performed prayer and blessing to the event attendees. ”Disaster is the accumulation of everyone’s darkness, wicked thoughts and ill behaviors,” during the prayer, Master Samantha said, ”starting today, right now, if everyone can focus on saying kind words, doing goodies and thinking brightness, no matter where you go and what you do; disasters around us can be gradually mitigated…”

More than 500 residents from the Bay Area cities (Fremont, Union City, Newark, Alameda, Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco, etc.) came join the event.  Children enjoyed face painting and learn earthquake knowledge and survival skills through coloring and fun games while parents joining the seminars. “A devastated earthquake just recently happened at where I was born (Sichuan, China, Earthquake 2013),” one participant commented, “I definitely want to learn the skill so that I can help myself, my family and others when an earthquake strikes.”

In addition to learning, free beverage and snacks served throughout plus raffle drawings and a graceful Great Compassion Dance performed by students of Purple Lotus School, Earthquake SOS event was both informational and family friendly. All attendees took home an emergency backpack filled with disaster starter kits, bottle water and T-shirt. 80 lucky people won raffle gifts ranged from iPad Mini, $100 and $50 cash cards to useful first-aid packs.

Earthquake SOS on May 26 is the first of three earthquake preparation events organized by Purple Lotus Temple. The second event will be held on October 13, 2013, in downtown San Francisco. The third one will be held early 2014 in south bay. For more information on the upcoming event or volunteering opportunities, please contact Earthquake SOS hotline at (510) 474-1898 or visit its website at www.earthquakesos.org or join its Facebook page at facebook/com/EarthquakeSOS.