“I'm the Only One Who Love You - When I Grow Up” Happy Reunion Public-Interest Garden Party was grandly held at the square in front of the Municipal Building on Taiwan Boulevard today (the 5th day of the month). The Social Affairs Bureau of the City Government and Taiwan Action Buddha Society jointly organized it. Caring companies and communities were invited to sponsor 118 stalls to hold a charity sale for local specialties and delicious food. All money raised was donated to the Association to help schoolchildren in remote and rural areas. Artists KanKan and Xiao Xun, the “Stars of Public Interest” this year, also had a happy reunion with students at the scene. Mayor Lin Chia-Lung expected to carry forward the spirit of Action Buddha in Taichung to make more people act as Action Buddha and create Taichung as a city full of love and hope.

A large stage was set at the scene of the event with a performance show lasting four hours. The world-class Fancy Athletic Dragon performed by Fang Yuan Junior High School kicked off the show, followed by outstanding performances such as Aboriginal Harvest Dance presented by Hoping Elementary School, Student Dance presented by Feng Chia University and Asia University, Loud Drum Performance presented magnificently by National Taichung University of Education, Chinese Music Performance presented by Gukeng Elementary and Junior High School in Yunlin, Fancy Taekwondo presented by Gong Ming Junior High School in Shalu, Singing and Taiko Performance presented by Huei-Ming School and Home for Blind Children and Family of Slow Angels turned on stage attracting hundreds of people to the scene together enjoy the fun.

People arrived to join the festivities included Mayor Lin, City councilor Liao Wan-Chien and Wu Hsi-Kun, Chairman of ZongTai Real Estate, CHANG LI-LI, Chairman of Long Pao Construction Co., Ltd., Wu Chun-Shan, Chairman of Best Giving Construction Co., Ltd., Chang Ta-Fang, Chairman of Golden Jade Construction & Development Corp., Chen Chih-Sheng, Chairman of the Right & Great Co., Ltd., Kuo Tsung-Te, Chairman of Top Yang Construction, Lien Jade Group, Hung Fu-Chin, General Manager of Chumken Realty, Wang Chung-Cheng, Chairman of Shine Architecture, Chang Yu-Cheng, Special Assistant to the Chairman of Fu Yu Construction and invite more people together to give their love and help school children in remote and rural areas for education and raising.

Mayor Lin pointed out that Taiwan Action Buddha Society had long-term support for schoolchildren in remote and rural areas in education and raising. Not only were material aids provided, but also more were spiritual companionship given. All children and big friends sponsored for education and raising can know that there are people behind that give them support in their growth process, so that they never have to be alone.

Mayor Lin said that people at the scene and schoolchildren in remote and rural areas were welcome to participate the public-interest garden party. Today was a day that belonged to everyone. We shall get relaxed and have a happy reunion. We also expected to spread out such spirit from Taichung gradually to make more people act as Action Buddha and carry forward the spirit of Action Buddha to create Taichung as a city truly full of love and hope.

Taiwan Action Buddha Society expressed that there were total 118 stalls sponsored by caring companies and communities in the Public-Interest Garden Party this year holding a charity sale for local specialties and delicious food including rice in East Rift Valley harvested just in November, aboriginal mountain roasted pork, Kinmen Peanut Candy Cake, Liuqiu Shiang Seafood Specialties, Hakka veggie buns, red bean cake, Sinyi Grape, Kanto cooking, and so on. All money raised from was donated to the Association

In addition, the event also made a special arrangement for children to go to Vieshow Cinemas Taichung Tiger City and watch the movie of “Lokah Laqi” which described about the stories of growth for three aboriginal children. Many schoolteachers in remote and rural areas said that for many children it was the first time going to the theater and watch the movie on the big screen. The children were very excited and happy.

Artists KanKan and Xiao Xun, who acted leading roles in “Lokah Laqi”, said that they found a big gap between urban and rural areas since they performed in “Lokah Laqi” and went deep into tribes surrounded by mountains in in remote and rural areas of Taichung City. Fortunately, the society always has public-interest groups like “Action Buddha” to lend the kids a helping hand and light up street lamps in their lives. Hope that the children could be like the three aboriginal children in the film. They have sadness in the growth process but do not make complains, and tears shed but do not lose hope and dreams.

Taiwan Action Buddha Society has founded for 12 years. Currently it has more than 7500 members across variety of industries. There are 1251 students sponsored for education and raising and 297 students for free tutoring. Funds issued for education and raising each year are approximately NT$13 to 15 million. Taiwan Action Buddha Society will have directors, supervisors, and volunteers visit schools, encourage sponsored students at its odd-numbered anniversary, and have the students transport to Taichung for participating in the public-interest garden party of “Happy Reunion” at its even-numbered anniversary