by Winston Chua
The San Marino Chinese Club hosted their annual Mid-Autumn Festival kickoff party at the Old Mill in San Marino this past Saturday afternoon. Around 90 to 100 people showed up for the event to help promote the Club’s largest fundraiser of the year; the proceeds collected from the MAF will go towards supporting San Marino students.
“The kickoff party helps more people know about the MAF,” said Chinese Club President Tom Chang.
The MAF will take place on Saturday night, November 1 at the Hilton San Gabriel and about 600 to 700 people are expected to attend. Chang said that the Old Mill, site of the party for the second year in a row, was a fitting location for the party. In 2012 the Club planted an oak tree there to replace a tree that had fallen during the severe winter windstorm.
“The MAF is integral to and inseparable from schools and the school community,” said San Marino School Board Pres. Chris Norgaard, who has been a part of the MAF for about a dozen years. “The financial support is as high as from any other group and it’s more than we can ask for.”
Club members provided cool beverages and food on what was a sweltering afternoon. Huntington Middle School orchestra students provided the musical entertainment which included Entrance of the Queen of Sheeba and Concerto in E Minor. Student performers included Isaac Roberts, Noelle Guan, Catherine Lichtman, Kevin Choi, Ashley Sun, Katherine Choi and Phalaen Chang.
Plans for the big fall event, which includes participation from a number of San Marino students, looks to be moving along well.
“MAF preparations are coming along great, all the acts are lined up,” said MAF Chair Albert Lay. “This year we’ll be focusing more of our live entertainment on school performers and be collaborating with The Tribune to have a photo booth.”
For many members of the local community, participation in the Club and the MAF is a way of greater participation in city activities.
“I’ve always wanted to be more involved in the San Marino community,” longtime resident John Chou explained. Chou will be serving as a board member for the Club in 2015. “Now that my kids Nicolette and Andrew are older, this provides me with that opportunity.”
This year’s emcees will be Maggie Lee and San Marino City Manger John Schaefer. Lee will be the emcee for the fourth time. This will be the third year Schaefer takes the mic. This year’s auctioneer will once again be The Tribune’s Mitch Lehman who will entice the audience into competitive bidding. This will be Lehman’s 11th year on stage.
“The MAF not only generates monetary support for local schools and programs,” added Club board member Bonny Hus, “but also increases public involvement, social awareness and activism within the community.”
