HOLIDAY SHARING AND CARING

By Gerrye Wong November 9, 2018

When FRIENDS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS asked the 800 supporters who came to its annual Fundraising Gala Dinner to help the organization “FULFILL OUR DREAM”, the evening’s theme, an overwhelming roar of support came from the audience.

Photo: Co Chair Sylvia Yeh with MC Matt Keller and Gerrye Wong show center piece plants

 Master of Ceremonies  ABC Reporter Matt Keller and Founding Member Dr. Albert Wang and I together with the audience watched a video where one of the FCSN client Austin, known as “the clay guy”, was given the job of creating 80 clay pots as a part of his self employment program, and after two months work, created the centerpieces for the evening’s dinner tables. \

Photo: APAPA members show support to FCSN

To further show the class work of the FCSN Center, students of the Adult Day Program through a new gardening project as a part of their vocational training program, created succulent gardens in Austin’s ceramic pots. The centerpiece creations were eagerly bought by patrons at all the tables.

Photo: Sereno Realty presents check to Dr. Albert Wang

As was explained by the event chair, Sylvia Yeh, “When we are little, everyone has dreams of doing something that would fascinate us and use our hidden talents. Too often as we grow up, we don’t have a chance to do anything towards that dream. This especially applies to our Adult Day Program clients, who although handicapped, have dreams, talents and passions too but rarely are given opportunities to shine.   Thus the goal of our staff center is to awaken those dreams and find ways that our clients can feel useful and excited about doing something they are proud of and showing off their talents.”

FCSN Board Member Limin Hu greets visitors

Throughout the evening, the dinner patrons could see the awakening of hidden passions as groups of the FCSN students, many with crippling physical handicaps, came joyfully on stage to sing, dance, play musical instruments and perform enthusiastically before a very receptive audience.  It was such a pleasure to watch these young people, some as young as 4 years old, show a marvelous feeling of accomplishment and belonging, all nurtured by the caring staff at the FRIENDS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CENTERS in San Jose and Fremont.

Photo: California State Assemblyman Kansen and Daisy Chu are loyal supporters.

Board Chair Dr. Albert Wang and Co Presidents CK Lee and James Chiao told the audience that the group now has over 1000 families coming to the centers so there is a continual need to build up the service capacity for both East Bay and South Bay Centers. 

Photo: FCSN children clients perform for gala dinner patrons

As they explained, “We all know our special children eventually become adults, and special adults need supports in many different areas such as employment, housing, living and life-long learning. Our day programs provide opportunities to support independent living and continued learning. For employment opportunities, FCSN has started SEP (Supported Employment Programs) and TDS ( Tailored Day Services) to bring work to our clients and find them employment in the community.”

Photo: Crystal Yang is happy winner of Golden State Warriors prize

Responding to the needs to grow services for the overwhelming requests to join FCSN programs, the audience pledged over $120K that evening, arising to the call to Fulfill the Dream. Many were enticed to donate with a chance to win a large 40” framed poster of the movie CRAZY RICH ASIANS signed by all the stars of the movie, and generously given to FCSN by Director Jon Chu.

Photo: Crazy Rich Asians autographed poster is presented to happy winner by Gerrye Wong, Dr. Albert Wang and Matt Keller

Another very popular prize many vied for was a Golden State Warriors Package with tickets and memorabilia items donated by the Tom Tanabe Family and Dr. Michael Wong.  Crystal Yang let out a big scream and ran to the stage to claim her prize so she must be a dedicated Warriors basketball team fan. That night she was a lucky one with a winning ticket, beating others from donors of $500 or less.

Photo: Major sponsors of FCSN Gala dinner are recognized on stage

Kudos need to be given to the major sponsors of the event which included the Gao Family Foundation, BisLink, Limin Hu, Sereno Realty, New York Life, ASI, Margaret & Chenming Hu, Sherry Meng and Xiaohu Wang and Tesha Teng & CK Lee, APAPA, Allen Lee & Kelly Yang, Ruth & Sandy Chau, Yee-Yeen Wang, Gee Family Foundation and Milpitas Square. Their support made many dreams for the handicapped community of FCSN come true.

photo: wonder women of the FCSN event were Sylvia Yeh and Anna Wang

Take a bow!!  You helped fulfill many dreams for special clients who need our support and help.  Come visit the Centers to see for yourself what a tremendous program put on by this very caring non-profit group.

FCSN Dream Center 2300 Peralta Blvd., Fremont CA.

FCSN South Bay Center, 1029 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose

Photo: Emerald Sponsor Margaret Lee greets the Ronald Youngs from Hawaii and Pauline Fong

CHI AM CIRCLE SUPPORTS LIFE MOVES

For the fourth year, CHI AM CIRCLE members have participated in the Blanket/Bedding Drive to donate to the LifeMoves facility in downtown San Jose. The facility houses homeless families and single women – having up to 55 residents – and help them return to self-sufficiency through their programs.

Photo: Chi Am Circle Committee members gather bedding packages for LifeMoves project.

As Co-Chairs Jenny Leung and Maria Lu said, “LifeMoves offers transitional housing up to 120 days and offers residents workshops and assistance with finding employment, permanent housing, financial literacy, life skills, and child support services.”

Photo: Many packages of bedding were donated by Chi Am Members for Life Moves Project

Chi Am Circle has over 100 women members who believe in social service. As part of its community outreach, members donated new and gently used bedding to LifeMoves to share in the satisfaction of helping others while enjoying the comraderie of their Chi Am fellow sisters and donors.  Helping assemble the many bags of bedding were committee members Debbie GongGuy, Jennie Hong, Aimee Leung, Shirley Pak, Leslie Tomihiro, Mary Ann Wong, Helen Yamauchi and Carol Yiu.

SHARING HOLIDAY JOY THROUGH MUSIC

Every year I am thrilled to see holiday programs presented by the San Francisco Symphony at San Francisco’s beautiful Louise Davies Symphony Hall.  When one enters the building, they are greeted with a ceiling high Christmas tree parade, decorated by various non-profit agencies in the City with children’s decorations.

Throughout December SFS has programs for all ages.  For young at heart and age, Peter and the Wolf is given with the SFS Youth Orchestra and the movie HOME ALONE in concert with the SFS.

Music lovers have a variety of presentations to choose from.  It starts with Pink Martini with the SFS, and continues to a Merry-Achi Christmas with Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez.  To see acrobats on stage, Dec. 5 sees Cirque de la Symphonie take over the stage, followed by Holiday Soul with Vanessa Williams and the SFS for mellow sounds. There would be no better way for a family to start the holiday season than coming to the SFS DECK THE HALL program which features guest artists from the San Francisco Ballet, Young Women’s Choral Projects of SF, the San Francisco Boys Chorus and even a guest appearance from Beach Blanket Babylon stars.

So come on and all to capture and share the holiday spirit with music, and that presented by the best orchestra around , the SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY. See you there in the best holiday scene and spirit!  Ticket info: sfsymphony.org/holiday;  415 864 6000. 

OAKLAND RAIDERS FOUNDATION

The Raiders Foundation invited HONOR FLIGHT BAY AREA veterans to a special SALUTE TO SERVICE DINNER recently to acknowledge the military veterans of World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars. Carl Stewart, CAPT, SC. USN (Ret.) thanked the Oakland Raiders Foundation executives and the team players for their recognizing the service of the fifty veterans and their families assembled. Team Raiderettes helped lead the veterans group through the Raiders training facility in Oakland and many of its current players dined with the Honor Flight veterans.

Photo:  Oakland Raiderettes greet Honor Flight Veterans Wilson Fong, Calvin Wong, Howard Lum and Paul Char to Alameda Raiders Training Camp

As part of the recognition ceremony, the Foundation presented a check for $7500 to help further the Honor Flight Bay Area program which takes groups of veterans to Washington DC annually to see the many memorials dedicated to war veterans and other federal museum sites.  Especially memorable to most is the visit to the Arlington Cemetery where they participate in the Unknown Soldier ceremony. According to recent vets who went on trip #18, Wilson Fong, Paul Char, Howard Lum, Osla Young and Calvin Wong, The Honor Flight Bay Area sponsored trips have been wonderful experiences for hundred of veterans who were greeted with grateful citizens at both airports and along the roads their bus caravan traveled in the Capital.

For information on Honor Flight trips: admin@honorflightbayarea.org.

Photo: Honor Flight Veterans were honored at Special Service dinner by Oakland Raiders Foundation

SHARING THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE

It is always with sadness and sorrow we lose good friends, but their lives will always live on through our memories.  Today I honor two friends who made an impact in the lives of many around them. They were wonder women in the business world that was not always open and receptive to women, much less Chinese ones.  To Doris Shoong Lee and Emily Lee — We salute your spirit, and miss your friendship.

DORIS SHOONG LEE will always be remembered in San Francisco and Las Vegas for her kind, gracious demeanor, and her generous soul.  A keen businesswoman, at an early age, she became a member of the executive committee of the National Dollar Stores along with her father, the founder Joe Shoong. After raising her family, she showed her love of the arts and was well respected for her philanthropy and involvement as a member of the Asian Art Commission and Asian Art Museum Foundation Boards, serving as the chair in both.  Residing in Las Vegas during her later years, she continued her dedicated community involvement by being a founding board member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, a Founder of the Smith Center, and a sponsor of live music performances by the Nevada Ballet Theatre. She and her husband Ted Lee established the first endowed professorship at UNLV’s Boyd School of Law and the UNLV Lee Business School was renamed in recognition of their continued generous support.   I will always remember Doris as an always gracious friend, and thank her for her committed dedication to promoting the quality and beauty of Asian art to San Francisco and the world.  Her legacy will live on.

Photo Doris Shoong Lee

EMILY LEE was always a proponent of all things Chinese.  Her background of growing up in a Sai-yup family in San Francisco was always evident as she would enliven conversations with her quick witty sayings in Chinese.  She began a career in fashion, when there were few Asians, and ascended from a teen-aged gift wrapper to become a full buyer at I. Magnin, one of the most prestigious stores in San Francisco. She bore the responsibility of establishing the first Joseph Magnin retail store in Tokyo, and earned the title BUYER OF THE YEAR in 1968 by Women’s Wear Daily.  Her Emily Lee women’s boutique in the Laurel Village District of San Francisco was popular with all of the Pacific Heights matrons appreciative of good taste and fine fashion, but especially because of the fun, lively personality of its proprietor Emily.  A love of life, travel and especially food became Emily’s mantra in life, and the friends she gathered on her life’s journey benefitted from her kindness, her humor, and her generous spirit toward contributing to her Chinatown community.  It was a fitting farewell at her Celebration of Life Ceremony that it ended with the entrance of the lively UC Berkeley Cal Marching Band, her Alma Mater, paying tribute to one of its devoted alumni.

Photo: Emily Lee