Daniel Rickards - Paradise Cub Scout, Defender of Polar Bears

On Wednesday afternoon, April 9, Golden Year 5 (2008), local nine-year-old Daniel Rickards was presented with the Shining World Compassion Award at a special ceremony, in front of his fellow students and many parents, held at his Californian school, Paradise Elementary School. Along with the heart-shaped crystal award plaque, Daniel also received a gift package filled with Master's music CDs, DVDs, a story book, all of Master's latest illustrated books including the Amazon.com top-seller The Noble Wilds, and a US$3,000 check from Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Daniel is a cub scout from troop 260 in Paradise. To earn his World Conservation badge from his scout troop, he held a swim-a-thon on Friday, February 15, in an outdoor pool and swam a remarkable 189 laps for two hours raising $889 for the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) to benefit polar bears. He explained to his sponsors that the polar bear population is at risk because their habitat is threatened by the melting ice sheets, and their situation is further exacerbated due to humans littering on their land.

Daniel Rickards and his family share the joy and encouragement of receiving the Award.

During the ceremony, the principal of the school, Mrs. Michelle Jones, read the entire letter of appreciation from Supreme Master Ching Hai to the school assembly, acknowledging Daniel's compassionate deeds and encouraging others to follow his example. Daniel humbly accepted the award, and with gratitude told the assembly that he had decided to donate the $3,000 to WWF to further assist 41 polar bears through medical care, scientific studies, food supply and preservation of their habitat.
Daniel further impressed our Association members with his selfless spirit of giving by deciding that for Christmas each year instead of buying presents, he would use the money to adopt an animal through the World Wildlife Fund, giving these adoption packages to loved ones as gifts - a decision his entire family agrees with and will do as a family.

The local newspaper, Paradise Post, reported Daniel Rickard's compassionate deeds and the Award presentation.

The nine-year-old's inspiring actions have brought awareness of the polar bears' plight to all around him, showing how one person's efforts can make a difference to the community at large even at his tender age. His selfless spirit of service is helping construct a brighter future for our precious planet.

Thank-you letter from Daniel Rickards for the Shining World Compassion Award and US$3,000 contribution from Master