The Chinese American Health Association recently announced that it will hold a fundraising gala on Wednesday, October 23, where awards will be presented to outstanding members of the Asian community. During a press conference, notable attendees included Shirley Huang, Vice President of Community Affairs at the CAIPA Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Community Relations Manager Rich Dai, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Brooklyn Republican Party Chair Richard Barsamian, State Senate candidate for Brooklyn’s 17th District, Xiaoli Chen, and City Council Member Sandra Ung.
Lina Chen, the leader of the association, shared that multiple awards will be conferred during the gala to recognize exceptional Asian professionals across various fields who have made significant contributions to the community. Award recipients include Doobie Duke Sims for the Arts Award, Pauline Yeung-Ha for Advocacy in Law, Dr. Lisa Eng for Medical Consultant Award, Kent Woo for Community Patrol Award, and Sunflower for Lifetime Volunteer Service. TD Bank will receive the Community Financial Institution Award.
Reflecting on the organization’s ten years of service, Chen expressed hopes that the gala will honor Asian individuals who have made significant contributions in the arts, healthcare, and social justice sectors. She also noted that the event will feature exciting performances and aims to break traditional norms, including a unique dining experience, as they strive to “spend money wisely” and avoid unnecessary extravagance. City Council Member Sandra Ung commended the association for its major contributions to the community and expressed her best wishes for the fundraiser’s success.
Malliotakis mentioned during the press conference that, as her parents are aging, she is committed to advocating for the rights of seniors and hopes for their support. Chen was pleased to see the CAIPA Foundation providing better services for elderly residents in the community. He, as a longtime resident, understands community needs and plans to focus on public safety and education equity reforms if elected. In response to online attacks against him, he described them as “absurd” and emphasized his extensive experience in law enforcement and six years of service in the Navy, declaring himself a “patriot.”
