EVENTS TO REMEMBER
EVENTS TO REMEMBER
By Gerrye Wong February 15, 2019
Colorectal Cancer Benefit
When Sharon and David Seto and their Lee Family put their hearts and minds and efforts into supporting a cause, you know it will be a successful event. Such was their bringing their Blue Skies Alliance to support the Colorectal Cancer Alliance by hosting a reception and raising funds through the sales of tickets to the popular sold out show HAMILTON at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco ON Valentine’s Day.
Michael Capenzia, CAA CEO and Patty Lum and Sharon Seto
In a plea to help, Sharon wrote to friends and family, “Please join Colorectal Cancer Alliance Board Member Sharon Seto and Blue Skies Alliance for an evening of theatre and philanthropy in memory of Susan T. Lee, my mother, and in support of the mission of the CCA.”
Stephen Lee with daughter Patty Lum, son Gordon and Jayne Lee
No sooner said than done. As Michael Sapienza said at the private reception for donor/sponsors, “We are very grateful that Sharon’s Lee Family charitable foundation, BLUE SKIES ALLIANCE partnered with us today to benefit CCA in memory of their mother, Susan Lee, who passed away from colon cancer. We thank David Seto for sponsoring the VIP reception in the Blue Room for our generous 300 donors tonight to start off this auspicious occasion before seeing the popular HAMILTON musical show.”
Reception guests Susanna Kwan, Vicky Wong and Kelly Matsuura
Lee Family Patriarch Stephen Lee stood proudly when being thanked for starting his Blue Skies Foundation and choosing Colorectal Cancer Alliance to be one of its first beneficiaries of Foundation Funds. Other family members alongside him were daughter Patty Lum and Son Gordon with wife Jayne, together with Sharon and David Seto.
Fashion Designer Carmen Marc Valvo flanked by Sharon Seto and Gerrye Wong
Noted fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo flew in from New York City in support of the Lee Family and Seto Family Foundation, Blue Skies Foundation event. Chairperson Sharon in celebration of Valentine’s Day, wore a lovely red/black embroidered coat designed by Valvo.
Gerrye Wong, Sharon Seto, Curt and Denise Wear
Among the many friends and supporters at the Private Blue Room Reception were Ruth Ma with guests Vicky Wong and Susanna Kwan, San Jose Mayor Sam and Mrs. Liccardo, Dulo Batsuh of the EACH Foundation, Richard and Janet Pelligrini and family of the Pelligrini Vineyards, Denise and Curt Wear, Stefanie and Greg Beasley of Gentry Magazine, Deborah and Steven Rocha, Kelly Matsuura, and fellow Colorectal Cancer Alliance Board member Kirk Dizon.
Sharon Seto views mother’s photo with Kirk Dizon
Keeping cultural tradition, in honor of the Chinese New Year, a family tradition is to have a large roast pig in attendance for people to observe and partake of its fine meat. At the benefit event, sponsors enjoyed a piece of the pig, in celebration of the Year of the Pig, as well as enjoying accompanying bountiful buffet offerings.
Chairman Sharon Seto welcomes San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and wife.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance was formed in 1999 by a group of survivors and caretakers and friends. Today it is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to finding cure for this deadly cancer. They are proud to say they empower a nation of allies who work with them to provide genuine support for patients and families, caregivers and survivors.
Kelly Matsuura and Gerrye Wong enjoying seeing Hamilton and supporting CCA Benefit
Sharon Seto, who sold the bulk of the tickets for this fundraising effort for this evening’s performance, says the objective for their family foundation is to partner up in causes and to raise funds to benefit nonprofit organizations. Luckily for the CCA that evening, the Hamilton show fundraiser was to present its total revenue to the CCA cause. With initial proceeds in the six figures, I am sure it was a successful night for everyone. Thanks to Sharon Seto aided by father Stephen Lee, who will be presenting 100 % proceeds to the CCA to enable thousands of needed cancer patients to be helped through these fundraising efforts and generosity of BLUE SKIES ALLIANCE and its many friends and followers. Congratulations! What better way to spend an evening than seeing superlative theatre in HAMILTON while supporting a worthwhile cause. Thank you, Sharon Seto, for providing that opportunity for it to be a win win situation for all and celebrate Valentines’ Day in remembrance of your mother and surrounded by love from the Lee Family.
A TRIBUTE TO ED LEE
A full house welcomed me as I entered the Green Room of the Veterans Memorial Building in busy San Francisco on a cold rainy evening. The inclement weather did not deter anyone from coming to the premiere of the documentary MAYOR ED LEE and a sold out crowd was eager to see this film written and directed by Rick Quan, noted television newscaster.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed addresses Reception crowd
At the pre-film reception, everyone was sharing anecdotes about the friendly outgoing Ed Lee, who rose from the portals of poor tenement housing , together with his eight siblings family.
l to r: Mrs. Ben Fong-Torres, Joan Chen, Betty Louie, Hoyt Zia, Dale Minami, Ben Fong-Torres
Seen among the crowd were Christopher Chow, Sacramentans Darryl and Nancy Woo, Chinatown Rotary Club members Bill and Gayle Wong, Judge Edward Chen with wife Janet, Mae Woo, Joyce Chan, Dale Minami, Steven Lee, Sandra Lee with mother Marie Lee, Tane Chan, Joan Chen, Adam and Fanny Lam, Wanda Ching, Alex Lock, Grant Avenue Follies ladies, and Goretti Liu.
Ben Fong-Torres, Mrs. Anita Lee, London Breed
Rick Quan in his greeting, said he was especially honored to have Ed Lee’s family, wife Anita Lee and daughters, as well as mother and siblings from Seattle in attendance. Receiving many congratulations following the viewing of the film, he announced it will be shown during the CAAM Film Festival in May.
Rodney Fong greets Kelly Matsuura
Newly elected President of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Rodney Fong, said San Francisco businesses gained so much under Ed Lee’s leadership to bring in the high tech industry.
Rick Quan and Jane Chin greet Ed Lee’s daughters at reception.
The hour-long documentary told the inspiring story of Ed Lee’s life from growing up in Seattle’s public housing, to becoming the first Asian American Mayor of San Francisco and a major city in the United States.
At reception Kelly Matsuura, Deana Osaki, Gerrye Wong, Alex Lock
A question and answer session moderated by veteran journalist Ben Fong-Torres with Rick Quan informed the sold-out audience that with the support of the Chinese Historical Society of America, Quan had complete freedom in telling the Lee story as he felt it should be told.
VHSA Director Jane Chin welcomes friends.
To get the essence of the man he was, Ed Lee’s personal friends appeared in the film telling about their experiences with him. On camera were former San Francisco Mayors Art Agnos and Willie Brown, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry and former Washington Governor Gary Locke. Through his experienced eye, Rick Quan captured who Ed Lee was, as seen in the eyes of his family, friends and his adoring public. It was a great evening of remembrance of a great man, a fine friend, and a stalwart in San Francisco’s history.
Chinatown Rotary Club members and friends enjoy VIP Reception in Green Room of Veterans Memorial Building
Many civic leaders came to honor the former Mayor. Present San Francisco Mayor London Breed spoke of working under Ed in the city offices much before he became mayor, and CHSA Director Jane Chin and Board Chairman Hoyt Zia spoke of their pride in bringing CHSA to partner with Rick Quan in seeing that this movie being made.
Friends of Ed Lee gathered to see his documentary movie.
It was a great evening to remember of a great friend, Ed Lee , who never will be forgotten.
CHSA leaders Jane Chin and Hoyt Zia welcome Judge Edward and Janet Chen to Reception prior to movie showing.
