Everywhere in the world,
we can observe
and be touched
by acts of kindness.
People from all walks of
life, faiths, and cultures
extend themselves
beyond the call of duty
to help others
unconditionally.
Through their noble deeds,
humanity as a whole
is elevated.
To commend
virtuous actions and
encourage more people
to be inspired
by their examples,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai
has lovingly created
a series of awards,
including the Shining
World Leadership
Award, Shining World
Compassion Award,
Shining World Hero and
Heroine Awards, Shining
World Honesty Award,
Shining World Protection
Award, Shining World
Intelligence Award,
and Shining World
Inventor Award,
to recognize some
of the most exemplary,
generous, caring,
and courageous people
who walk amongst us.
At just 12 years of age,
Zach McGuire has
mastered lessons in life
that some people may
strive their whole lives
to learn.
These are the important
lessons of love, sharing
and humility.
Residing in Toledo, Ohio,
young Zach is a picture
of the ordinary
All-American boy,
but he possesses
an extraordinary heart of
generosity and kindness.
In 2005,
following the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina
which ravaged
New Orleans, Louisiana,
the principal at Zach’s
elementary school
encouraged each student
to do something to
earn money to contribute
to the disaster relief work.
Zach, who was only
6 years old at the time,
decided to set up
a Kool-Aid drink stand
where people
could make contributions
from their hearts.
In Katrina, we had to
replace one of the pitchers,
once and then
we raised US$200.
Then my mother’s work
doubled it,
so I think it ended up
to be like US$400.
About US$400,
I think US$480.
For his benevolent efforts
to help the victims
of Hurricane Katrina,
Zach was named as
Citizen of the Month
by the Mayor of Toledo.
Two years later,
when disaster struck
Findlay, Ohio,
Zach set up his drink stand
once again with the sign,
“Kool-Aid for Flood Aid”
to help those
affected by the flood.
Then we did
Kool Aid for flood aid.
They had massive flooding,
down there from just
torrential rains for days.
After wildfires
raged in California,
Zach recognized that
human lives and homes
were lost forever.
From across the country,
he wished to help
with the recovery efforts.
Zach came up
with the idea to
sell hot cocoa, calling it
“Cocoa for California.”
This time, his fundraising
efforts reached
well over US$1,000.
We had donations
from all over the country.
I got a proclamation
from the Mayor, and
he gave me a $50 donation.
Recently, however,
Zach’s own family
has been affected by
the economic downturn.
Zach’s father,
Thomas McGuire,
is a licensed contractor
who had been
unemployed for a time.
Zach is
a pretty intuitive child
and he could tell
that Dad had been upset
for a while.
I explained
an appropriate amount
of it to Zach, so
he could understand that
things were a little tough.
He internalized that
for awhile, and then
came back to me and said,
“Dad I want to help.
I’ve been blessed
with all these toys and
I would like to sell them
and help out with the bills
around the house.”
You can’t sleep in toys.
You can’t eat toys,
so it just struck me then.
With wisdom and maturity
beyond his years,
Zach selflessly sold off
his favorite toys to help
keep his family home.
I was on CNN
for helping my Dad
by selling my toys.
He sold, we’re guessing,
about $2000 worth of
his toys.
He had several
motorized vehicles
and they sold.
And Tonka trucks,
and fire trucks…
Thomas the Tank train set.
It came to pass
that he was selling toys
but he wanted to help out
with home and family,
and he’s always been
a giving person at home
and in the community.
Zach’s spirit of helpfulness
and care for others
can be largely attributed
to his loving parents.
Zach has always been
taught that his fellow man
is equally important
as he is,
if not more important.
And sometimes we
need to take a step back
and look at everything
we have, despite
whatever problems
we might have and see
how we can bring the gift
of the Holy Spirit
to other people by giving
through ourselves.
And after doing that, then
we find our problems
aren’t as great as
we thought they were.
Touched by
Zach’s altruistic acts
and loving kindness
to strangers in need
and his own family,
Zach was presented
with a Letter of Salute
and a gift of US$3,000
from
Supreme Master Ching Hai.
“…With your exemplary
example of goodness,
the world is just
that little bit better.
We thank you so much
for your motivating
example of love in action
which will surely cause
many others to follow.
To young Zach McGuire,
we wholeheartedly
applaud and salute you.
With Great Honour,
Love, and Blessings,
The Supreme Master
Ching Hai”
This is for you.
Thank you.
I want to thank God for
having a wonderful son
like you.
I wouldn’t trade you
for anything.
God has blessed me
more than I’ll ever
be able to express
and someday
when you’re a dad, I hope
you can know my joy.
In addition,
Zach was presented with
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
international
#1 best selling books,
“The Dogs in My Life,”
“The Birds in My Life”
and “The Noble Wilds,”
along with various DVDs
and CDs.
I would like to say
thank you to the
Supreme Master Ching Hai
for this wonderful gift
and I hope
this check helps us out
in whatever we need.
Zach’s father also
expressed his gratitude
for Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s support,
saying that it was all
a blessing from God.
Zach’s goodwill
and spirit of sacrifice
is truly a noble example
for children and adults
everywhere.
When we return, we’ll
meet Mr. Epati Tamati,
a popular Samoan radio
host and TV presenter
who was honored
with the Shining World
Hero Award.
Please keep your dial
tuned here
to Supreme Master
Television.
I work for
the people of Samoa
and whatever happens,
I do my job.
I love my people of Samoa.
I need to serve the people
of Samoa.
Whatever happens,
God will know.
Welcome back to our show
featuring honorees
of the Shining World
Hero Award and Salute.
Deep under water,
the sea floor began
to rumble and shake.
As dishes clattered and
fell, people were awoken
from their deep slumber
at 6:48 am in
the Samoan Islands region
on September 29, 2009.
Tuesday morning,
the 29th of September 2009,
that's the time when
the earthquake happened.
The massive temblor
struck underwater between
the islands of Samoa
and American Samoa.
On the island nation
of Samoa, known as
the “Heart of Polynesia,”
popular radio host
and TV presenter,
Epati Tamati witnessed
the earthquake and
its devastation firsthand.
I stayed inside the studio
for one minute and when
I saw already the shaking
of the house (building),
and then I ran outside
andI saw the shaking
of the earth, the poles,
the house (building).
After the shaking subsided,
Mr. Tamati returned
inside the Radio
2AP’s studio,
which was located
on the coast of Apia,
the country’s capital.
He feared for the worst.
If an earthquake was
stronger 7.5 and then
a tsunami could happen.
I felt
that it was very strong.
The quake, which registered
at a magnitude-8.0, was
recorded as the largest
earthquake of 2009.
It triggered a wall of waves
several meters high.
I tried to contact
the observatory,
but it was unsuccessful.
And then
I make my own decision
to warn the people
to go to higher ground
and be safe.
I informed my listeners
that, "If you are living
on low-lying areas, you
might go to higher ground,
leave all your assets,
your belongings,
and your life
is your first priority.
Risking his own life,
Mr. Tamati remained
in the radio studio
to broadcast
the tsunami warnings
in the hopes of
saving the precious lives
of other Samoans.
But back home,
still hearing his voice
on the airwaves,
Mr. Tamati’s wife, Situella,
knew her husband’s life
was in jeopardy.
I was very worried
because the office
is down at a lower area.
I sent him
like 10 text [messages]
to come home,
“Please come home!”
We were very worried.
However, Mr. Tamati
was selflessly determined
to answer the call of duty
to country
and fellow citizens.
He just said that,
“Just take the kids to
higher ground and be safe.”
Then I left it to him.
And I knew
it’s a really great job
to do for our country.
Radio 2AP is the only
AM station on the island
and the only radio station
that’s owned
by the government
in case for emergency
and natural disaster.
So that is the main reason
why I choose to stay
inside the studio
to risk my life
for my listeners
and risk my life
for the people of Samoa.
For the hundreds of people
who heard
Mr. Tamati’s broadcasts,
they were able to
escape to safety in time
as the ensuing tsunamis
swept away many homes
and cars in its wake.
Nearly 200 lives
were lost on Tonga,
American Samoa,
and especially Samoa
as a result of the disaster.
One of Mr. Tamati’s
grateful listeners is his own
Radio 2AP colleague,
Mr. Vassiliega Lupati
Lagaaia.
That morning,
I was a little bit shaky
by the earthquake,
I turned on my radio and
I hear Epati on the radio
and I know exactly
where the studio is –
it’s right up next to the sea.
And I’m very thankful
for Epati.
He was here, making sure
that people are getting
information of the tsunami
and also
to warn the people to
get to the higher grounds.
And I’m very glad that
he did that for us and
for the Samoan people.
For many more hours,
Mr. Tamati continued on
with his noble work as he
opened the phone lines
for callers to relay
information and report
on the damages
of the earthquake.
After the tsunami,
people were calling about
the help, like clothes,
water, food, shelter
and everything.
People from overseas and
other parts of the island,
they were requesting
about their relatives that
live in the affected areas.
Upon hearing of
this tragedy in the Samoan
Islands region,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
immediately conveyed
her heavy heart and tears
while donating
US$30,000 to assist
the most afflicted.
This amount could
acquire US$247,000
in supplies if bought
in the United States,
based on the region's
cost of living.
Our Association’s
relief team from Australia
travelled to the
Samoan island of Upolu
to deliver aid
to the tsunami victims.
When
Supreme Master Ching Hai
learned of Mr. Tamati’s
exceptional bravery,
she honored him with
the crystal Shining World
Hero Award
and a framed letter
of recognition.
Thank you
Supreme Master Ching Hai
for the lovely letter
and for everything.
My family called and said
to leave the studio and
go to higher ground and
I say, "God protecting."
And I love my job, and
it's the most important day
of my life and my career.
Mr. Tamati was also
presented with
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
international
#1 best selling books,
“The Dogs in My Life,”
“The Birds in My Life”
and “The Noble Wilds,”
in addition to various CD
and DVD publications.
To Supreme Master Ching Hai
for this award,
it's an honor
and privilege for me
to accept this award
and I really appreciate it.
May God bless you,
the works that you do and
thank you for the award.
Firstly,
I would like to thank you
for this great opportunity,
for my family,
especially my husband,
to have this award.
I think it’s a very hard job,
especially always away
from our family many times.
Thanks for what you’ve
done for my husband.
Our only prayers to God,
to please to give you
more blessings for what
you’re working on and
do for the whole country.
And do you think
your daddy’s a hero?
Yes. He really is.
Mr. Tamati is indeed a hero
in the truest sense
of the word
for his life-saving act
and selfless service
to his fellow humans.
We sincerely salute
both Zach and Mr. Tamati
for their
altruistic example
of human’s noble nature.
May you, your family
and co-citizens be graced
with continued protection
and love from Heaven.
Thank you
for your company today.
Coming up next is
Words of Wisdom right
after Noteworthy News
here on
Supreme Master Television.
Blessed be
your dignified deeds and
compassionate hearts.
We thank you for your
loving company and
viewership throughout
the past three years.
Now, please enjoy
Supreme Master
Television’s 3rd year
anniversary concert
“Rejoicing
in Our Green Planet
and Peaceful Life.”
At just 12 years of age, Zach McGuire has mastered lessons in life that some people may strive their whole lives to learn. These are the important lessons of love, sharing and humility. Residing in Toledo, Ohio, young Zach is a picture of the ordinary All-American boy, but he possesses an extraordinary heart of generosity and kindness.
In 2005, following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina which ravaged New Orleans, Louisiana, the principal at Zach’s elementary school encouraged each student to do something to earn money to contribute to the disaster relief work. Zach, who was only 6 years old at the time, decided to set up a Kool-Aid drink stand where people could make contributions from their hearts.