As temperatures in Hong Kong fell over the 2004 Lunar New Year holidays, local disciples brought warmth and love to the city¡¦s less fortunate residents by distributing warm clothing and vegetarian sandwiches in the streets and at the Un Chau Center. Inspired by the example of Oregon fellow initiates, the brothers and sisters from Hong Kong included an aphorism and the URL of the Quan Yin website with each sandwich. ¡§That fellow disciples personally prepared these sandwiches and included Master¡¦s aphorisms with them demonstrates their ingenious thinking and love for their homeless friends,¡¨ said a sister who participated in the activity.

When the initiates made their first stop in an old district where the homeless sought shelter under pedestrian overpasses and by the roadside, the gift distribution filled the recipients with comforting joy, and some eagerly came forward to receive their special presents.

The second stop was the Un Chau Center, which was established seventy years ago and now houses more than seventy male and female residents. Most are jobless and some are drug addicts only seeking temporary refuge. Its free accommodations ensure that the Home, run by a not-for-profit volunteer organization, is always filled to capacity.

The residents were delighted to receive the provisions from the initiates. Mr. Wen, director of the Home, expressed enormous appreciation for the visit, saying, ¡§Even if you had brought nothing more than a pair of slippers, they would have been deeply cherished all the same. You warm their hearts and let them know that there are still people in this world who care about them. We¡¦re like a chair that gives a brief moment of rest to weary travelers on the journey of life, and once they move on, the chair is ready to serve others with similar needs.¡¨

In order to continue conveying care and concern and extend Master¡¦s love to their friends in distress, Hong Kong fellow initiates have decided to distribute clothing and vegetarian food to the homeless in other districts and shelters on future holidays.

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