03/13/2021

Volunteers Appreciation Tea Party

On the afternoon of March 13, a Volunteers Appreciation Tea Party was held at Xiang Yun Temple, Austin. Delicious desserts were prepared and tasty egg rolls were provided. Boba milk tea was offered to all participants. Some volunteers attended in person, while some connected virtually to the event, totaling a gathering around 30, young and old.

By 2:30 pm, everyone went to the temple’s main shrine where IT volunteers worked diligently on the technical aspects of the event. Emcee Ariel Liu introduced Venerable Jue Ji, who expressed her gratitude to volunteers and devotees, and communicated her hope to have the temple reopen soon.

Videos were shown, of volunteers conveying their experience helping. The audience watched and clapped enthusiastically!

Elaine Hsu, BLIA President, acknowledged the volunteers’ work too and announced that Xiang Yun Temple and BLIA Austin both will receive the 2021 Hope Award of Community Support because of our fundraising and food donations for the needed communities.

A game of flags and raffle drawings took place; activities led by Emcees Sanny Lin and Ariel Liu. Venerables Jue Ji, Venerable Yi Song & Venerable Ru Yuan handed some of the prizes to the winners. The prizes included tea cups, tea pots, lotus lamp stands and sweet snacks.

Ariel Liu recognized the value of volunteers and shared that she became a volunteer after a family member got very sick, becoming a better person in the process.

At the end of the event, all the venerables chanted fervently, along with the participants, finalizing with a Dedication of Merits, wishing all volunteers be healthy and happy. All attendees were offered a mini plant as a token of gratitude from the temple.