FRIENDS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS EXPAND THEIR DREAM
FRIENDS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS EXPAND THEIR DREAM
BY Gerrye Wong November 11, 2024
When the FRIENDS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS officers and staff set a goal to EXPAND OUR DREAM, their theme for this year’s fundraising dinner, it is always attainable through their dedicated spirit and dogged determination to succeed for the benefit of their clients. This year, event Co-Chairs Jason Hwan and Jacqueline Yu realized this was a goal setting year following the completed renovation of its third center, the Osgood Building in Fremont. They followed the group’ s vision for program development within the new 18,,000 sq. ft. building for their fundraising goals.
As Board Co Chairs Yee-Yeen Wang and James Chiao told the packed audience of over 500 patrons at their annual fundraising dinner, “Now the focus is on expanding our services by establishing new programs for high-needs individuals in both day programs and supported living services. With the opening of the Osgood Center we plan to launch a new day care program for adults with special needs, expand our after-school services to school aged children, hold social recreation programs for adults and enhance our employment support services , among other key initiatives.”
A welcoming medley of songs performed by Chi-Ling Wu & Alice Jen opened the evenings program, followed by introductions by Emcee Matt Keller. With slides showing the new Osgood Center building, and the interior rooms destined for new classes, Chiao and Wang invited all to join their crusade to build a community center for people with special needs. Matt Keller and Gerrye Wong stepped up next to begin the Fund a Need drive asking those in the audience to help support this worthwhile organization’s vision for the future as far as expansion of services. Matt announced the goal for the evening’s fundraising was $30,000 so the excitement began of generous donors holding up their paddle pages giving pledges from $10K to $1K.
Almost reaching the goal on this first ask, the next step was when Founder Anna Wang and Executive Director Sylvia Yeh stepped up to tell of the wonderful programs FCSN has done at the original Fremont site and newer San Jose site. However, they added there are over 200 on our waiting lists who wish to benefit from our services, and now they can be enrolled once our fundraising efforts can expand that dream and make it come true. Miraculously with the use of codes on phones and more open bidding, by the end of the evening it was announced that over $50,000 had been raised from this audience alone who came to make a difference and expand FCSN’s Dreams.
I applaud a job well done by the large staff of workers who helped put on this gala event. However, funds are always needed for even further expansion of clients and classes. For more info please email to administration#@fcsn1996.org. Checks can be sent to FCSN 42080 Osgood Rd., Fremont, CA 94539. For questions on class enrollment at any of the three centers, contact Administration office at (510) 739-6900 Ext 3305 or administration@fcsn1996.org. It weas indeed heartwarming to be in attendance to see the happy faces of the hard working staff and leaders of FCSN knowing they can move forward with their Expand Our Dream campaign.
Martin Yan Dinner for Asian American Stories Winner
Last May at the Asian American Stories gala fundraiser, noted Chinese chef Martin Yan generously auctioned off a dinner hosted by him which was eagerly won by top bidder Irene Wong. Her husband, Dr. Vernon Wong, benefited last week when his family flew in from all parts of the country to herald his nonagenarian birthday with the prized Martin Yan dinner at HL Peninsula Garden in Burlingame. Chef Martin described every dish as it was served, initiating all the 30 young family members on the meaning of different ingredients, and even informing some of them the fact that noodles served at the end of a dinner always signified longevity for the honoree.
The Wongs’ private banquet was, in the eyes of one young relative, a chance in a lifetime to dine with and learn from the Master chef about all of the ingredients and their individual health factors. We all thanked Martin Yan for his giving spirit to donate this dinner for the Asian American Stories cause and hoped he would do it again so maybe some other lucky people could get a chance to put in a winning bid like that experienced by the Wong clan.
Silicon Valley Community Media, the non profit behind the Asian American Stories gala event just announced it will be presenting its second annual fundraising dinner May 1 and has just informed potential contestants of its contest to start preparing for the competition. The theme for 2025 will be MY GIFT TO AMERICA where contestants are encouraged to submit one minute videos with their creative thoughts under this theme. The 2024 competition drew over 70 entries with the theme All Of Us Belong Here, submitted from all over the country by contestants from high school youths to seniors. 2025 Event Co Chairs Diana Ding, Arthur Jue, Joel Wong and Gerrye Wong welcome all to join in this competition under this very thought provoking theme.
In the midst of anti-Asian hate, the concept of the competition was conceived and seeing the entries coming in by people of all ages, the founders Diana Ding and Joel Wong realized it is a topic people definitely have ideas and opinions on. For inquiries on how to submit entries for the competition, and/or be a donor/sponsor for the May 1 event to encourage all Asian Americans to voice their opinions, go to info@dingdingtv.com…..
