
CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY
CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY
By Gerrye Wong September 28, 2022
The CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT only celebrates anniversaries every five years – the last one being in 2017 at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel – so this 35th anniversary was truly one long awaited for and gladly attended by 650 patrons ready to celebrate. Obviously everyone was ready to party after the past three years of covid restrictions and pandemic fever of fear to go out into crowds because the event was sold out a month in advance, and only after working with the Santa Clara Marriott to increase seating another 50 people, was the organization able to accommodate the demand. A problem, but certainly a good one, for the CHCP dinner seemed to be a happy reunion for people who hadn’t connected for past three covid years. All those who came to support the cause for Chinese history were in seemingly happy welcome moods to see and be seen, and a glorious celebration time was had by all.
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It’s something of a miracle when an invitation states Reception 5:30 and crowds start emerging at early as 5pm. As Asian attire was optional, as stated in Christina Sue’s beautiful vivid red invitation, many beautiful Asian-themed colorful silk and velvet jackets and dresses adorned many a guest. Lovely ladies seen in the crowd wearing their own “Cheong soms” or Chinese silk jackets were Eva Jones, Elizabeth Fullerton, Rose Tsai, Anita Gong and Judy Wong. As guests filtered into the reception area, eager hostesses, many representing the Chi Am Circle womens’ club, invited guests to purchase raffle tickets, all to support the CHCP’s admirable cause for preserving Chinese American history. Eager hostess sellers included Carole Yamaguchi, Julie Gin, Rebecca Feng, Carol Yiu, Pat Nakashima, Teddy Sue and Aimee Yan, as directed by Raffle Chairwomen Sharon Lai and Mary K Lim.
Providing lively music in the foyer was the Dream Achievers combo starring Lawrence, Alice and Gregory from Friends of Children with Special needs. CHCP Photographer for the evening Joanne Chan was busy snapping photos of people standing with the CHCP Hoong the Dragon propped up for photo ops in front of a CHCP logo screen. Amidst the happy hugs and greetings seen by guests arriving were Rose Chung, Fanny Lam, Toby & Yvonne Lee and Claudine Cheng from San Francisco, and Board members Natalie Huen and Nobuko Cleary from the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. Past and present local city and state government officials greeting everyone were Santa Clara Supervisor Otto Lee, Paul Fong, Hung Wei, Justin Wang Cindy Chavez, Cynthia Chang and Anh Bui.
The happy crowd followed a brightly lit Hoong the Dragon weaving into the ballroom towards the 63 dining tables facing two large screens showing photos of CHCP past events and activities. At the table, the men were pleased to find a bottle of Bouchaine wine opened and ready for imbibing. The women excitedly opened a red and gold lacy box in the center of the table to find a diamond look-alike tennis bracelet, a token of friendship and welcome from the CHCP . On stage, the evening’s Emcees, KNBC reporter Robert Handa and KABC Anchor Dion Lim welcomed everyone, including California Assemblyman Evan Low, who joined them on stage to present a proclamation to the evening’s 8 Co Chairmen, George and Lee Liu Chin, Eva Wong, Allen Low, Debbie Gong-Guy, Arthur Low, Anita Wong Kwock and Gerrye Wong in honor of the CHCP’s 35th Anniversary.
Always an important ingredient for a successful benefit is the Title Sponsor and the Anita Chan family has consistently though the years always inspired the committees with their Title Sponsor commitment. Equally necessary is the Honorary Chairman, and this year, we were honored to have Hawaii’s noted Philanthropist of the Year Dr. Larry Tseu fly over to bring his support to our CHCP. Co Chair Anita Kwock presented them with crystal plaques showing appreciation or their support from CHCP.
Caught in the celebratory mood, Dr. Paul Gee and Joyce Chan, representing Bouchaine vineyards, came on stage then, arms filled with wine bottles of Gee’s own personal collection to present to the Co Chairs and MCs also. The bottles had its own label showing the design of the event’s program cover, certainly a nice memory souvenir for the everyone, which they raised in salute to everyone at the celebration ballroom. During the sumptuous dinner time serving braised short ribs and salmon entrees, a ongoing loop of CHCP past activities and events were shown on the two gigantic screens flanking the stage, produced by Adam Tow.
As per CHCP tradition, this anniversary celebration honored outstanding leaders in the world of philanthropy. This time, those honored included Buck Gee, popular entrepreneur in the high tech world, Cisco retiree and Chairman of Angel Island Immigration Station Philanthropy. In his taped video acceptance speech, he showed photos and told of the Angel Island Immigration Station facility, citing the exhibits of the sordid history of conditions Chinese endured during the 1910-1940 period this entry stationed was used.
Next honored were brothers Dr. Arthur and Daniel Jue, whose company LiveFreely has introduced an app called BUDDY which they devised to help seniors. They saw the need for a safety device for seniors when they were care taking their own invalid father, and invented this system which would help their loved ones keep track of their health needs. Due to the prevalence of seniors falling a great deal, their BUDDY App detects falls, medical emergencies, tracking beyond boundaries, and changes in a body’s vital organs. Next honored was the Patrick Kwok and his family for their continued community service, especially the family matriarch, Susan, who had passed away recently. Fourteen members in all surrounded Patrick, who accepted the crystal flame shaped piece, offered by Dr. Art Low, Honoree Chair. In the past, Patrick had served as Cupertino Mayor, Board member of the Asian Americans for Community Involvement and CHCP Trustee,
It was interesting that when the Honorees were taped to make their acceptance speeches, they chose not to talk about themselves, but of the non-profit organizations they supported. Former UC Berkeley Professor Chenming and Margaret Hu spoke of two organizations they are deeply rooted to, Asian Health Services of Oakland and Friends of Children with Special Needs of Fremont and South Bay, both of which they have served on the Boards. Honoree Michael Chan, is often referred to as Lion Michael for his deep commitment to Lions International. He founded the Silicon Valley Virtual Lions Club during the pandemic when in person meetings were not encouraged, and has traveled to the Philippines on a Lions Mission to bring supplies to remote villages
The Bay Area Chrysanthemum Growers Association was the organization honored this year. This group , founded in the 1950s, was organized for the purpose of helping resident flower growers who had settled their flower farms in Santa Clara Valley. Mostly immigrants from China, these farmers supported each other during difficult times having recently immigrated from China with poor English language facility. Their present president Bob Kuan, spoke of their changing world, in which at present most of the farms were growing vegetable produce crops and settling further south than San Jose, where land was taken up with high tech businesses now.
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The colorful part of the program was when a fashion show of Chinese clothes, past and present, came on to the runway which went down the center of the room. Introduced by Model Coordinator Kelly Matsuura, the parade began showcasing clothes from the collection of Sunny Shen, Quifentang. Her Qipao Collection were attractively presented by models representing local service organizations of the area. These included Jennifer Li of Friends of Children with Special Needs, Kayleigh Randlett of The Asian American Pacific islander Leaders Forum, Macy Mak chan of Silicon Valley Lions Club, Nikki Chow of Chi Am Circle, Sydney Kasson of Japanese American Museum of San Jose, Wilheimina Li of Gum Moon Home, Cindy Tom of Contemporary Theatre Scene, and Ai-Chu Wang of Organization of Chinese American Women. Representing Hawaii was 1996 Miss Narcissus Queen Elyn Yao, and former Miss Chinatown USA Sandra Lynn Wong.
Opening the show, wearing the traditional Chinese dresses with a modern flair, was 6 year old Juliette Leong, reperesenting the Asian American Donor Program, accompanied by Melissa Matsuura of Sunnyvale, daughter of so-chair Kelly Matsuura. Closing the show was co Chairman Eva Wong’s daughter, Choe Li escorting twin 6 year olds Jayme and Jayna Lee, granddaughters of CHCP Founding Board members Dr. Jeffrey and Susan Lee. Other models included family members and friends of CHCP longtime supporters, who were the backbone and impetus for the success of the evening’s fundraising success. They were lovely models Emma Chew, Hillary Lee, Kelly Shen, Li Sha, Shaylana Barnes, and Sky Kim, adding glamour to the night’s program of Chinese costumes.
Not to be outdone by the women, male models came on stage and down the runway wearing opulent Chinese Peking opera robes making every one of the men look like a regal emperor. Community representatives walking with a royal flair was History of San Jose ED Bill Schroh., Jr., South Bay Chinese Club’s President Clifton Der Bing. Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation ED Edward Tepporn, Senior News & Sports Journalist with Fox Tv Jesse Gary, Tim Wong of the Bay Area Chrysanthemum Gowers Association , who also entertained on the Chinse musical instrument the Erhu as Costume Collector Nathan Louie walked down the runway on the arm of Kevin Pasqual. It was my pleasure to walk down the runway with Dr. Paul Gee, who earlier had gifted our chairmen with a precious bottle from his own vineyard collection.
Major donors are always a mainstay of any fundraising benefit. Our Jade Sponsors were honored by a gift of a Caroline Young framed print on stage. No fundraising event is complete without the traditional Live Auction and the call for Fund a Need donors. Seven prizes were offered by the CHCP to the individual or collectors who wanted to use their bidding skills to beat out other bidders for a prize,. An active spirited Ingrid Lai outbid everyone for a lunch for 20 persons with culinary expert Chef Martin Yan who will give demonstration and share hands-on cookie activities in Daisy Li’s Moonstar official plant which prepares and delivers thousands of breakfasts and lunches to the area Senior Services facilities. Another hot sought after auction prize was the Sportman’s Enthusiast package which included tickets to Warriors, Giants and 49er games, plus a complimentary foursome to the newly remodeled Bayview Golf Course. Together with a $400 valued banquet dinner at San Jose’s Grand Dynasty Restaurant, this prize was highly sought after, but ABC Reporter Dion Lim’s husband vied to win this auction package. Trips to Mexico Resort or a winning raffle prize was a trip to Orlando including air and resort hotel. It was gratifying to see Emily Yue, former founding board member, win the top Raffle prize of a trip to Orlando, all expenses paid for, lucky gal!
All too soon it was time to wind down for another eventful year for Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, flush with funds raised by the event commemorating the 35th anniversary of the CHCP founding, and 30 years since 1991 when CHCP opened its museum doors for the first time. Thanks to the philanthropic efforts by new and old friends, the CHINESE AMERICAN HSTORICAL MUSEUM will hopefully be open for tours every weekend for the existing year, and beyond, a CHCP wish, along with eager plans for more events, fundraising and speaker series. One need not bar your doors now as CHCP doesn’t fundraise but every five years. Congratulations to CHCP for a smash bang Anniversary party. I was gladdened to be a part to this wonderful occasion where everyone past and present CHCP members joined forces to put together this happy occasion.
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