HITTING THE BALL FOR CHARITY
HITTING THE BALL FOR CHARITY
BY Gerrye Wong August 10, 2021
Every year the ARO Men’s club affiliated with the Chinatown YMCA hold a golf tournament to help bring in funds to support the Chinatown place many called their home-away-from-home of their youth. The Chinatown boys formed their ARO club within the sponsorship of the YMCA back in 1950, and even now 71 years later, have maintained a loyalty to help it continue the vital services they themselves received when they were young boys.
Caption: ARO YMCA Men’ s club at 2010 60th Anniversary
Even during this year of pandemic shutdowns and isolation, the ARO men threw their most successful annual event in July. This, they named their 36th Annual ARO Golf Tournament and Crab Feed. Staged at the prestigious private Lake Merced Golf Club, the event drew the highest number of participants – namely 144 – to play golf in support of their fundraising drive.
Caption: A team of YMCA volunteers and staff greeted all incoming golfers
As players streamed into the Daly City site in eager anticipation to be enjoying the game of golf and helping a Chinatown non profit at the same time, they were greeted by a smiling YMCA staff and volunteers who handed out a package of goodies.
With appreciated delight, the players were fitted to a YMCA logo emblazoned black golf jacket, besides receiving a bright orange gift package filled with bottled water and a sleeve of golf balls printed with the YMCA commemorative logo, the latter generously donated by fellow participant Victor Jin of Alameda. A boxed lunch was also gifted to each player as they set off for an enjoyable afternoon on the beautiful Lake Merced Golf Course.
Caption: Generous gold ball donor Victor Jin, right with partner Calvin Wong
Putting it all together were ARO Men’s Service Club committee members Gerald Chan, Hanley Fong, Hanley Hoey, Eric Jew, Bill Kim, Louis Kwok, Ford Lee, Mel Lee, Ron Lee, Jeff Low, Stuart Poon, Allyson Wong, Paul Wong, Peter Wong, Victor Wong and Jerrick Woo. While only one of the original ARO members played in this year’s tourney, 30 returned to show support as event sponsors.
Caption: Silicon Valley golfers greeted by ARO leader Mel Lee, center
As Monica Lai and Kari Lee expressed, “We are so grateful for the Alpha Ram Omega (ARO) support, including thousands of hours committed to volunteer service, leadership and generous philanthropic investment in our branch. ”
Caption: Hole sponsors supported the event with signs at each hole.
Continuing on, they added, “Since 1950, their storied legacy includes highlighting the importance of keeping the Y’s mission of service to youth and the community. Today our members, volunteers and staff can experience the impact of the ARO in our work and interactions: fellowship, comeraderie and a commitment to service and generosity that guides us and will for generations to come, ” they said. Since pandemic rulings are forbidding group gatherings, the usual Crab Feed held for over 300 persons at the Chinatown Y will not be held this year, but all donor participants will be able to pick up their crab feast September 25 at the YMCA Chinatown location. Kudos to the YMCA volunteers who will choreograph the delivery system of compiling the insulated bag packed with over 1 ½ pounds of crab, bread, and fixings for spaghetti.
Since opening its doors in 1911, the Chinatown YMCA has and continues to serve the low-to-moderate income, immigrant Chinese community of San Francisco which continues to suffer from poverty, housing and immigration related challenges. As Director Kari Lee explained, “Within Chinatown, 65.4% of residents are foreign born and 48.5% of those residents are unable to speak the English language. Poverty rates are among the highest in the city with 32% of individuals and 54% of children living at or below the Federal Poverty Level. Almost half of the households spend 30% or more of their income on rent and 33% of people of working age remain unemployed.”
Caption: Senior lunch program is attended by many chinatown citizens
With these regional needs in Chinatown, the YMCA has needed to expand its services beyond just providing activities for young men the YMCA traditionally served in previous times. At present, according to Kari, the Chinatown YMCA services are focused on three priorities. Youth Development & Teen leadership is a key program which serve 1000 youth and teens with after school programs of sports, arts, swimming, tutoring, culinary classes, college and career exploration. In addition, the YMCA’s program is providing Community Service, helping over 850 Chinatown SRO families and active older adults. Its program provides family workshops, social events, health, wellness and support service activities. Thirdly its Health and Fitness programs serve over 350 teens, adults and active older seniors, which pre-covid numbered up to 2600 members. In this program participants had aquatic activities with swim lessons, lap swim and group exercise with indoor and outdoor wellness classes for fitness with gym activity.
Caption: YMCA teen programs are very popular with youth groups.
Obviously with such an extensive program the annual budget of the Chinatown YMA is approximately 6 million, so the fundraising by the ARO club of its golf tournament and crab feed is very important to the Y’s funding of their many programs. Director Kari Lee expressed her gratitude to the ARO Men’s club for their annual support, adding “During these difficult times, the Chinatown YMCA is dramatically impacted by the closure of schools and facilities. We depend on continued support from our committed individual donors to maintain our most vital social support for our community’s mot vulnerable residents, SRO families and isolated seniors. We’ve increased our food distribution services and making regular phone calls to over 800 seniors to ensure they stay connected and safe. The Chinatown Y has never closed its doors, and we will continue our 110 year legacy of service to the community.”
Caption: YMCA volunteers worked tirelessly to welcome 144 players to golf tournament
On behalf of the 144 happy golfers gathered in a happy atmosphere of comradery with the spirit of giving, I want to commend the Chinatown YMCA staff and its ARO volunteers for the fine commitment they showed to all th players. And of course, with any competition, besides players happy to be out in a safe outdoor sport, there are happier winners at the end of the day. So congrats to everyone for fine play in the spirit of good sportsmanship, and a round of applause to the winners whose prizes were Target and Peninsula Golf Shop gift cards.
Caption: First place Team Winners Gerrye Wong, Kelly Matsuura, Frances Gin and Deanna Leong
Individual Net Score winners were the following:
Flight A Men – Scott Oh, Paul Tan, Lucas Hopkins; Flight B Men – William To, Patrick Li, Frank Chiang; Flight C Men – Reino Niemela, Victor Gin, Eric Chow
Women’s Flight – Sayaka Moriya, Gerrye Wong, Kara Okamoto
Blind Bogey Flight: Men – Peter Joe, Derrick Lee, Preston Tom
Net Team Scores: Team 7 – Gerrye Wong, Frances Gin, Deanna Leong, Kelly Matsuura; Team 36 – Paul Tan, Ben Cardenas, Kara Okamoto, Sayaka Moriya; Team 20 – Yong Hoon Cho, Jae Jung, Wonmy Jung, Yoon Jung Suber
Longest Drive : Men Brendon Lee, Yon Hoon Cho; Women – Erin Oh, Sayaka Moriya
Closest to the Pin: Men – Michael Toy, Ben Cardenas; Women – Jane Packer, Karen Mar
Playing in the tournament gave me a new perspective and respect for the work the Chinatown YMCA has done and continues to do for the community. With or without golf, I will plan to throw my donations to them from now on. And I hope you will too. It’s getting to the end of 2021 , so think of the YMCA Chinatown services to lend your support to with your End-of-Year Charitable Donation Program. Donations are always welcome at 853 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, 94108. For information: Executive Director Kari Lee – klee@ymcasf.org; Senior Director of Engagement Monica Lai – mlai@ymcasf.org;
Read what the impassioned workers and programs at the Chinatown YMCA provided during this last year of hard times:
Over 17,000 meals were distributed to seniors, SRO families and others in need.
More than 8000 called were made to seniors to “check in” for any needs
400 students were enrolled in its Community Hub, virtual classes and Power Scholars Academy
Supported vaccine outreach and education in our community, particularly to hard to reach citizens.
Be a winner in your own mind, support the Chinatown YMCA just as the 144 players of the ARO Golf Tournament did and if you hurry, you can send in your donation and be a part of the Crab-To-Go Care Package program for a mere $75 per package. Curbside pick-up at Chinatown Y on Saturday , September 25th, with delivery available to those age 65 plus based on volunteers’ capacity and location. Merlin Cases in charge of orders – mcases@ymcasf.org or call 415 748 3553 B4 September 11 to order your crab package.
Let’s crack crab together for the good cause of the Chinatown YMCA!!
