International donation for people who lost their homes in the bushfires

On Sunday 8 March Blue Mountains City Council accepted a generous donation of $20,000 from Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a global peace and Nichiren Buddhist organisation founded in Japan. SGI is a large community-based, non-profit organisation with members across 192 countries around the world. Its focus is on nuclear disarmament, human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian relief.    The SGI delegation to the Blue Mountains included SGI Oceania Chief Fumie Hiramatsu and Advisor Oceania Richard Sasaki as well as members of SGI Australia: Chris Steains General Director and Liz Bowen Vice General Director SGI Australia.   “We are deeply humbled that SGI has chosen to provide support to the Blue Mountains community through the Blue Mountains Mayoral Relief Fund. This generous donation will go directly to support the people who have lost their homes during the unprecedented bushfire emergency in the Blue Mountains in 2019-2020. SGI’s donation is the practice of compassion and love in action. I am profoundly moved, as I know our whole Blue Mountains community will be,” said Mayor Mark Greenhill.   Last month Wentworth Falls resident Liz Bowen, who is the Vice General Director for SGI Australia reached out her local Councillor Romola Hollywood to find out how SGI could provide financial support to the people who have been directed affected the fires.    “When I spoke with Liz Bowen, I was overwhelmed that SGI was considering making such as a substantial donation to our community. It was wonderful to provide information on the Mayoral Relief Fund and how it provides direct financial support to survivors of the bushfires. I express my deepest gratitude to SGI for choosing to donate to our Blue Mountains community. All funds will go directly to the people who need it most as Council absorbs any administration costs,” said Ward 2 Councillor Romola Hollywood.   “We were so moved to learn of the Mayoral Relief Fund and its purpose to directly assist those striving to recover from the recent fire disaster. It gives us the greatest pleasure to contribute, in a small way, to this fund in the hope that it relieves the suffering of individuals. We are looking forward to forging an ongoing relationship with the Blue Mountains, an area of great significance to our members and to Australian society as a whole,” said Chris Steains, General Director of SGI Australia.   “I am quite overwhelmed by the generosity of this gift. It will mean a lot to the upper mountains residents who have lost everything in the fires and are still going through the long recovery process,” said Ward 1 Councillor Don McGregor.   The Blue Mountains Bush Fire Mayoral Relief Fund has been created to provide direct financial support to Blue Mountains communities affected by recent bush fires to recover and rebuild. The fund is registered and has zero administration costs, which means every dollar donated goes into the hands of the people who need it. Donations are still being accepted and you can find out more and donate online.

Photo: Tatsuaki Tomiyama – Public Relations SGI Australia, Richard Sasaki – Advisor Oceania, Liz Bowen – Vice General Director SGI Australia, Fumie Hiramatsu – SGI Oceania Chief, Mayor Mark Greenhill, Councillor Romola Hollywood, Councillor Don McGregor, Chris Steains – General Director of SGI Australia.   To speak directly with Chris Steains – General Director of SGI Australia, please call 0407 939411. Or you can speak with Liz Bowen, Public Relations Manager of SGI Australia on 0425 355 130 or 0411 476 467.