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On October 24, the Buddha\u2019s Light International Association (BLIA) Chicago Chapter hosted the “VegRun Charity Walk & Autumn Family Plant-Based Carnival” along the scenic Fox River at Fabyan Forest Preserve. Co-organized by the BLIA Chicago English Subchapter, the event drew approximately 60 participants. Combining a charity walk, plant-based culinary DIY activities, and pumpkin carving, the initiative embraced a “Walk One Mile, Donate One Can” campaign, putting into action the concept of “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation” championed by Fo Guang Shan founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Participants logged over 100 miles during the event, which will be converted into canned vegetarian foods and donated to the local West Suburban Community Pantry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gathering near the historic Fabyan Windmill, Venerable Miao Wei and BLIA YAD (Young Adult Division) member Stephanie Sun introduced the environmental benefits of walking to lower carbon footprints and foster ecological care. Abbess Venerable Yong Han, Superintendent of the Fo Guang Shan Chicago Buddhist Center, encouraged attendees to combine healthy living with charitable giving, transforming personal steps into positive community impact. Inviting everyone to raise their “Three Acts of Goodness” wristbands, she led the crowd in reciting: “Do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts,” encouraging all to integrate these values into daily life. Raymond Lei, Director of the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, attended as an honored guest alongside his family, praising the event for uniting health, environmental stewardship, and charitable care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BLIA YAD member Stephanie organized an engaging ball-catching game that brought lively laughter to participants of all ages. For the plant-based culinary station, members from the English Subchapter and fellow subchapters prepared plant-based Mexican tacos featuring homemade escabeche (pickled vegetables), sweet potatoes, and black beans, showcasing the vibrant diversity of vegetarian cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Creative Pumpkin Carving Contest served as a creative highlight for families. BLIA youth member Kai Lam creatively utilized fallen autumn leaves to design hair for a pumpkin and repurposed scrap materials to craft ears. Four-year-old Roy L. drew inspiration from the Formosan black bear, weaving distinctive Taiwanese cultural motifs into his design. Six novelty awards were presented for originality and artistic flair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Katherine Chen, the first participant to complete the walk, shared that knowing each completed mile directly helps someone in need gave every step deeper meaning. First-time participant Allen Zhang, an engineer, remarked that walking not only promotes physical health but also offers a tangible way to practice spiritual preservation. Among the younger attendees, 9-year-old Jordan L. enjoyed playing badminton, 10-year-old Jaslynn J. expressed how rewarding it felt to do good while running, and 4-year-old Adrian Hu proudly cared for his handcrafted jack-o’-lantern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bringing together plant-based dining, physical fitness, and civic care, VegRun empowered families to put “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation” into practice, sharing the warmth of the Three Acts of Goodness with the local community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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