HOST: Sweet viewers, welcome to another heartwarming episode of Good People, Good Works. This week we're delighted to feature two noble-minded five-year-old boys from the United States who selflessly donated their money to better the lives of others.

In October ２０１０, the station house, tools and fire trucks of the Sissonville Volunteer Fire Department in West Virginia, USA were destroyed in a fire, and people from the community soon gathered their strength to help rebuild the station.

Thomas (m): As a result of that fire we had to move into temporary quarters to continue operations and the owner of this business was kind enough to allow us to use two of his service bases to continue our operations.

Thomas (m): We cover a fire-response district of １２５ square miles.

We have approximately ８,６００ residents in it and a population of about ２５,０００. We cover three elementary schools, one middle school and a high school and approximately １５０ to １６５ businesses.

Thomas (m): Even though we had the fire, we've never missed a call, our firemen, we've been able to answer the call. We're currently using loaner trucks. We're in a rebuilding process right now. We're like the mythical phoenix, we're going to rise from the ashes. We're going to build back, hopefully even better than we were before.

HOST: Amidst the dust and debris of the collapsed building, a pair of little hands offered a small piggy bank to one of the Fire Department's firefighters and board members, Mr. Thomas Miller. The bank held about US$４６.００, the life savings of Joshua Shaffer, a five-year old boy who was determined to do all he could to help his respected firefighting heroes.

Thomas (m): I got a phone call from a school teacher who said she had a five-year-old boy who had seen our story on television and was absolutely adamant about making a donation. We thought here's a five-year-old kid he needs to keep his money, we're not doing it (accept the money).

Well, a couple of days later, I got a phone call from a radio station that he was offended that we hadn't taken him up on his offer. So I, through the local radio station, got in touch with his grandmother who's a wonderful lady and she tells me that all Joshua had spoken about was he wanted to help out.

Patty (f): He watched the news. He saw that it had burned down and one day we drove by the town and he saw the firehouse was burned and it was still in rubble and he wanted to help. And he wanted to give them some money, thinking that it would help them.

TJ (m): He said, "We got to help," and he said, "We'll give them my piggy bank." And then he came and told us and then after that he started grabbing everybody's change laying around and stuffed it in the piggy bank. And then we brought it out here to them, and gave it to them.

HOST: The remarkable Joshua has always wanted to be a fireman.

Supreme Master TV (m): Why are you dressed up like a firefighter？

Joshua (kid): Because next week I want to be one.

Supreme Master TV (m): Why do you want to be a firefighter？

Joshua (kid): Because I want to help people.

HOST: Hearing about Joshua's altruistic ideal and noble contribution for the betterment of others, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed US$２０,０００ toward Joshua's cause. The funds were presented to the Fire Chief, Mr. Thomas Johnson. Joshua and his grandmother later wrote a letter to one of our Association members that included a heartfelt message to Supreme Master Ching Hai thanking her for taking them a huge step closer to achieving their dream. Here is an excerpt from the letter.

VOICE１: I would like to thank you and your crew for the interest you took in Joshua's story about the fire station. He truly wants to help them rebuild the firehouse. After watching the YouTube video he was determined that his money would help them… He didn't hesitate to give them his piggy bank full of change.

He has always been a very kind and caring little boy. He is still saving his money for the fire department. He is determined that he can do it. Thanks to the Supreme Master Ching Hai for helping him do this. Thanks for the knowledge you have given us to pass on to him. Our children are what we live for.  Your kindness has touched our hearts. Thank you, Supreme Master Ching Hai. Patty Brannon and Joshua

HOST: In a thank-you letter to Supreme Master Ching Hai for her donation, Chief Johnson wrote, 『Joshua is a special young man who has been an inspiration to many during a dark time.』

Thomas (m): I think a lot of people could learn from that little boy. I think he was an inspiration to us, to see this little boy who didn't want a toy. He didn't want a "thank you," he just wanted to give to someone else.

HOST: Next we're going to meet an amazing boy who made an unexpected birthday wish that bought happiness to many other people. Do you remember your last birthday wishes, or what presents you got from your family and friends？

Magnus Knudsen's fifth birthday turned from a joyous day of receiving into a celebration of maturity and heartfelt compassion when he decided to donate all his birthday money to support a charity that helps children in need. The idea first came to young Magnus when he and his dad visited a charitable facility near the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio, USA.

The facility provides a place to stay for families whose critically ill children are receiving treatment at the Center.

Jill miller (f): Twenty four hours before a child is admitted over to Cincinnati Children's (Medical Center), the parents can call and request a room. If one is available, we'll place them right away, if not we'll put them on our wait list and call them as soon as a room is available.

Families travel from all over the world to stay here in Cincinnati and seek the top-notch doctors over at Cincinnati Children's (Medical Center). We've had families travel from South Africa, from New Zealand; we have a family from Iraq staying here in the house right now.

HOST: Thoughtful Magnus wanted to do something to comfort the children and their worried families.

Magnus (m): I thought I could donate some of my old toys, but after asking them they said they only could handle new toys. But then my dad and I thought I could donate some of my toys from my upcoming birthday, but then (Craig (m): we talked. We told my friends to make a small donation of five or １０ dollars.

HOST: Magnus's surprise birthday wish generated an enthusiastic response from his friends and family. At the end of the day, the caring boy had collected a total of US$２８８, which he gave to the charity.

Jill Miller (f): We are especially touched when someone like Magnus at the age of five, instead of getting his own birthday presents chooses to help our children living here at the house. And there is honestly nothing more touching than that.

HOST: This kind gesture is just one of the many praiseworthy deeds of Magnus, who has always been a blessing to his family and community.

Craig (m): Magnus is a sweet, loving, adorable child. He is an awesome big brother and he is an angel to his mommy. Magnus volunteers for Cincinnati's Adopt-a-Spot program where he patrols our street for litter and he also helps our senior citizens on our street take in the recycling bins and rake their leaves and shovel their snow in winter.

He does this not for the few pennies that they give him but just because he's a good kid. And one of the benefits is that some of the pennies that he gets he donates to 『Pennies for Pencils,』 which helps children in impoverished nations be able to have pencils to study and do their homework.

HOST: Touched by his giving spirit and thoughtful concern for others, Supreme Master Ching Hai provided US$３,０００ to chip in with Magnus's donation to the housing facility.

Magnus (m): Thank you, Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Craig (m): It's nice to know that they have someone that loves them.

Jill Miller (f): With this US$３,０００, a room will be adopted here for a year in honor of you. So once I get the plaque ordered, you and your dad will have to come back and the plaque will say, 『This room generously adopted by Supreme Master Ching Hai in honor of Magnus Knudsen.』 And every family who lives in that room will think of you and what you did to help our families.

Jill Miller (f): We are very appreciative for this gift and it will help us care for a lot of families this coming year. Thank you, Supreme Master Ching Hai.

HOST: No one was more excited to have received a thank you note from the first kid who stayed in the Supreme Master Ching Hai room than Magnus. He was really happy that he could make a difference in another kid's life. The note was from a girl named Morgan:

VOICE２: 『My name is Morgan Seely and I am １４ years old. This September I found out that I would not be attending my first year of high school in upstate NY (New York) because I needed a bone marrow transplant. My mother and I made the nine hours trip to Cincinnati and had nowhere to stay when we arrived.

We paid for a hotel room but they can be expensive. The next night, the house gave us a room. We now have a nice place to stay and it is close to the hospitals. Thank you for helping families like mine when we need a place to stay and are going through a rough patch - Morgan.』

HOST: To the good-hearted Magnus, it was the best possible birthday gift he could ever receive. The housing facility also later sent a thank you letter to Supreme Master Ching Hai, the following of which is an excerpt.

VOICE３: Dear Supreme Master Ching Hai: Thank you so much for your generous gift of US$３,０００ in honor of a very inspirational and selfless little boy, Magnus Knudsen.

Your gift in support of our "Adopt a Room" program will help us provide families living in your "adopted" room the love and support they need. Happy Holidays, Jennifer L. Goodln Executive Director Jill Miller Developmental Director

HOST: Magnus Knudsen and Joshua Shaffer, children like you are the leaders of today and tomorrow. It is very heartening to see that the values of sharing and caring are deep in your hearts and surely you both will help many more people as you grow up.