Archive for November, 2011

Chinese American Service League Hosts 29th Annual Chinatown Community Dinner 12/2/11 at Furama

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Chinese American Service League, Inc. (CASL) Kam L. Liu Building

2141 South Tan Court (Corner Princeton Avenue), Chicago, Illinois 60616-1998

www.caslservice.org (312) 791-0418


CHINESE AMERICAN SERVICE LEAGUE HOSTS

29TH ANNUAL CHINATOWN COMMUNITY DINNER

“MAKING A DIFFERENCE, ONE PERSON AT A TIME”

DECEMBER 2, 2011 AT FURAMA RESTAURANT IN CHINATOWN

______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ellyn Harris, Director of Development

NOVEMBER 30, 2011 (312) 791-0418 or ellyn_harris (at)

caslservice.org or ENERI Communications

info (at) enericom.net

CHICAGO, IL — The Chinese American Service League (CASL) will hold its 29th Annual Chinatown Community Dinner, “Making a Difference, One Person at a Time,” 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2011 at Furama Restaurant, 2828 South Wentworth Avenue in Chicago’s Chinatown.

Over 400 people are expected to attend the dinner, co-emceed by popular TV broadcaster Nancy Loo of WGN-TV and community leader Alan Ang. The event will raise funds to sustain and drive the comprehensive human services and other programs CASL provides annually for its 17,000 clients. A nurturing hub within the heart of Chinatown, CASL connects families and individuals of all ages with the vital support they need to flourish physically, economically, mentally, and socially, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the greater Chicago community.

The event kicks off with a reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by the 74th Class of CASL’s award-winning Chef Training Program, which trains students in Western continental cuisine and places graduates at Chicago’s fine restaurants, hotels, and catering services. Since its inception in 1986, the program has trained nearly 1,300 students. A gourmet nine-course Chinese banquet will follow.

The evening program includes a traditional Chinese lion dance by P.C. Leung, a performance of the “Dun Huang Fairy Dance” by CASL’s Cultural Retention Program, a raffle, lucky bin raffle, and a silent auction. The raffle Grand Prize is two round trip main-cabin tickets to China courtesy of American Airlines. Second prize is an Apple 16GB iPad2 courtesy of Best Buy, 55 West Roosevelt Road. Third prize is a $400 Hing Kee Gift Certificate donated by Hing Kee, 2140 South Archer Ave. Raffle tickets cost $5 each. The Lucky Bin Raffle tickets are $10 each.

The silent auction features a pair of Chicago Bears tickets (Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs Game, Sunday December 4, 2011 at Soldier Field) donated by the Gatorade Company and a framed photo autographed by Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers donated Gale Sayers. Pre-bidding will begin Wednesday, November 30, 2011. The starting bid is $300 and the minimum increment is $25. Please email Stephanie Chan at Stephanie_Chan@caslservice.org to pre-bid.

CASL will present its 2011 Outstanding Service Awards to Cathay Bank, Terry Noone, and UPS for their admirable volunteerism and contributions the Chinese community. For the past two years, two Cathay Bank employees have volunteered every Tuesday. They help in many ways including conducting mock citizenship exams, doing activities with seniors in our Adult Day Center and helping employment clients learn English for job interviews. Terry Noone has given two years of service to CASL’s Chef Training Program. He has trained over 6 classes of Chef Training students on English and interviewing skills and designed an interview guide booklet for the students. For over 7 years, UPS has supported CASL through sponsorships, donations and by being great CASL Ambassadors to the corporate community. For the last two years, UPS employees have dedicated themselves to volunteering with our clients every month, which qualified CASL for a grant that will support the Volunteer Program initiatives for the next year.

Event sponsorships are available at the Jade level of $6,500 and the Gold level of $3,500. All sponsors of this event will receive a table for 10 and multiple branding opportunities. Tables of 10 are available for $850 and individual tickets are $85.

For more information on sponsorship and ticket reservations, to purchase raffle tickets or to make a gift donation, please contact Ellyn Harris at (312) 791-0418 or ellyn_harris (at) caslservice.org.

ABOUT THE CHINESE AMERICAN SERVICE LEAGUE

Founded in 1978, the Chinese American Service League, Inc. (CASL), a 501(c)(3), is the Midwest’s largest and most comprehensive social service agency of its type. Housed in the architecture award-winning Kam L. Liu Building, CASL’s over 300 dedicated bilingual and bicultural staff and 700 volunteers serve over 17,000 clients annually. CASL has a budget of over $11 million which funds programs that range from job training and child care to financial education and senior health screenings. CASL helps families and individuals attain self-sufficiency through services that strengthen their physical, economic and mental well-being. CASL is a United Way partner social service agency located in the heart of Chicago’s Chinatown. (Kam L. Liu Building, 2141 South Tan Court, corner Princeton Avenue). For more information, please contact (312) 791-0418 or adminis (at) caslservice.org or visit www.caslservice.org.

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Asian American Coalition of Chicago Co-Emcees and Facebook Link (Updates)

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

AACC UPDATES (November 23, 2011)

The Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) 29th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration Planning Committee welcomes Steve Dolinsky, Food Reporter, ABC 7 News Chicago, and Food Feature Writer, Michigan Avenue Magazine and Nancy Loo, WGN-TV Reporter/Fill-in Anchor, as this year’s Co-Emcees.  Join the fun 2/25/12 at Hyatt Regency O’Hare. www.aacchicago.org

(November 18, 2011)

ENERI is charity media partner/agency of record for The 29th Annual Asian American Coalition of Chicago Lunar New Year Celebration,  2/25/12 at Hyatt O”Hare. Please like our page on fbk!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asian-American-Coalition-of-Chicago/324207454261258

SAVE THE DATE/ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO HOSTS 29th ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 2/25/12 AT HYATT REGENCY O’HARE “IT’s TIME……..” TIC SALES OPEN 11/22/11

Friday, November 4th, 2011

www.aacchicago.org

We are pleased to announce that  The Asian American Coalition of Chicago website has been newly-updated with info on the 29th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration 2/25/12 being hosted by the Thai American Community, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Ck it out – our official Press Release # 1 with ticket, sponsorship and ad info, updated Census info and more. Tix sales open 11/22/11. This year’s theme: “It’s Time……..”

www.aacchicago.org with press release at: http://www.aacchicago.org/pdf/AACC12pr1.11411Rd2f.pdf Please share this link!

Please print out and SAVE. Please forward on a wide basis. All media inquiries centralized at ENERI, please and thank you.

TO:        Asian Pacific American (APA) Community Leadership; APA Community Media; Major Media; Arts, Corporate; Governmental, Political and Student Outreach Distribution Lists  (Midwest Regional)

FROM: Irene Cualoping, Chair, Media Committee, AACC 2012 Lunar New Year Celebration;  Managing Partner, ENERI Communications, Agency of Record

FOR:    Asian American Coalition of Chicago

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ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO

HOSTS 29th ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25TH AT HYATT REGENCY O’HARE

“IT’S TIME……..”

________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    CONTACT: GENERAL: info (at) aacchicago.org

November 4, 2011 (773) 463-8424 (c/o TAAI)

MEDIA: info (at) enericom.net

TICKETS:            Tippi Lee

tickets (at) aacchicago.org (e-mail preferred)

CHICAGO, IL – - The Asian American Coalition of Chicago is pleased to announce it will host its 29th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration, “IT’S TIME……..” on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont. Cocktail reception begins and silent auction and exhibits open at 5:30 p.m.; opening ceremonies are at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, entertainment and awards ceremonies until approximately 10 p.m.

An event held on this grand of a scale only once a year, Lunar New Year is traditionally the single largest organized annual event in Chicago’s Asian American community. According to the 2010 Census, the Asian Pacific American population in Illinois numbers approximately 586,934, or  4.6% of the statewide population. Ticket sales open Tuesday, November 22, 2011 for this popular event, which usually attracts over 1,000 people. Tickets will be available on a first-funded, first-seated basis. Purchase information will be updated on the website www.aacchicago.org.

Every year a different Asian community takes turn playing host of the Lunar New Year gala. This year it is the Thai American Community, which has thrice before (1988, 1996 and 2004) held the gavel for the Asian Pacific American community’s most important event of the year. The Thai American Association of Illinois (TAAI) holds the leadership honors.

“The Thai American Association of Illinois is proud to be hosting the 29th Annual Asian American Coalition of Chicago Lunar New Year Celebration for the fourth time,” said Vallapa Kongsri, 2012 Chair of the Asian American Coalition of Chicago, and current President of the Thai American Association of Illinois (TAAI). “We invite everyone in the community and friends of the Asian Pacific American community, to join in helping make this year’s Celebration the best ever,” she said.

Numerous dignitaries traditionally attend the festivities, including the Asian consular corps, elected and appointed governmental officials, political candidates, top business and corporate leaders, decision-makers and on-air talent at Chicago’s major media press outlets, and everyone who considers himself or herself a mover and shaker in and around, or for, the Asian Pacific American national movement.

“Some 50 years ago, a group of Thai immigrants consisting of students, scholars, physicians, nurses and others came to Illinois together to express a sense of belonging – these were immigrants who wanted to be with friends and family in a common culture,” reflected Arun Sampanthavivat, 2012 AACC Lunar New Year Co-Chair, (and Chef/Owner, Arun’s Thai Restaurant in Chicago.)

“To gain approval from all members, they designated December 5th, His Majesty King Bhumipol’s birthday, as the day they would host an annual celebration. The Thai American Association of Illinois was established for this purpose. The new organization quickly saw a larger purpose in the needs of the Thai community. TAAI became a service organization for Thai residents in Illinois and elsewhere. Soon enough, TAAI found itself associates with other Asian communities and the American public at large.” said Sampanthavivat.

“Asian Pacific Americans have contributed tremendously to this country. Economically, we are stronger, but politically, we only have begun to feel a new sense of consciousness. Yes, we are increasingly visible – and being visible is a key to making ourselves stronger politically. The Lunar New Year Celebration makes us visible like nothing else can. It’s time…….. “ said Sampanthavivat.

AWARDS

The Coalition plans to award its 2012 Community Service Awards, its Youth Who Excels Awards, its prestigious Pan Asian American Ping Tom Memorial Award – its highest award, and its Grand Asian American Sandra Otaka Memorial Award that evening. The Coalition renamed its Pan Asian Award in 1996 after the late legendary Chicago civic leader Ping Tom.  Ping Tom was also one of the original founders of the Asian American Coalition. The Grand Asian Award is traditionally given to a non-Asian Friend of the Asian American community. The Coalition renamed its Grand Asian Award in 2010 after the late Cook County Circuit Court Judge Sandra Otaka.

TICKETS

For ticket reservations, please contact Tippi Lee at tickets (at) aacchicago.org . Advance purchase is required. Tickets are $800 per table of ten. They are being distributed through community outlets as well as directly from the Coalition. They are first-funded, first-seated.

CHECKS

All checks should be made payable to AACC.

SPONSORSHIPS / SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS

Sponsorship rates and packages are priced as follows: $25,000 Presenting Sponsor; $10,000 Global Sponsor; $7,000 Pan-Asian Sponsor; $5,000 Continental Sponsor; $3,000 Community Sponsor and $1,500 Coalition Sponsor. To inquire about or to reserve sponsorships, and/or to donate items towards the Silent Auction, please contact info (at) aacchicago.org .

ADVERTISEMENTS

In addition, advertisement space reservations in the Souvenir Program Book are available at $500 for a full page (size 8-1/2” x 11”) and $300 for a half-page (8-1/2” x 5-1/2”). Non-profit full-page ads (8-1/2” x 11”) are available at a discounted rate of $300. Checks, insertion orders, and camera-ready black and white artwork creative for 2012 ads are due no later than December 30, 2011. Ads must be funded by the deadline in order to run.

AACC… WHO WE ARE

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the Asian Pacific American population in Illinois numbers approximately 586,934, or  4.6% of the statewide population. Approximately 92,304 Asian Pacific Americans reside in DuPage County, comprising 10.1% of DuPage County’s population, with the bulk of the other 322,672 residents of Cook County, comprising 6.2% of Cook County’s population. The 2010 Census shows that Asian Pacific Americans reside in Chicago in communities including West Rogers Park, Albany Park, Uptown, Armour Square and Bridgeport;   in suburban Cook County in communities including Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Skokie, Niles and Morton Grove; and in suburban DuPage County in communities like Oak Brook and Naperville.

In the past 10 years, the Asian population in Illinois jumped 38.6 percent. In the Northwest suburbs, Asians now make up 12.7 percent of the population. They make up 10.1 percent of the population in DuPage County, and 6.3 percent of the population in Lake County. These are the 10 Illinois suburbs with the biggest percentage Asian population: South Barrington: 26.6%; Oak Brook: 23.2%; Hoffman Estates: 22.7%; Glendale Heights: 22.1%; Schaumburg: 19.8%; Vernon Hills: 19.3%; Buffalo Grove: 16.0%; Hanover Park: 15.2%; Streamwood: 15.0% and Naperville: 14.9%. (Source: U.S. 2010 Census).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Sponsor, ad, silent auction donation and general inquiries should be directed to info (at) aacchicago.org (e-mail preferred).

MEDIA

ENERI Communications again has been named the agency of record for this year’s Lunar New Year Celebration, and has received the assignment to coordinate media relations, TV station/media company participation, celebrity presenters and press credentials. All media requests may be directed to ENERI Communications at info (at) enericom.net .

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2012 ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO

29th ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

____________________________________________________
AACC 2012 Mailing Address:  c/o Thai American Association of Illinois

3260 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, Illinois 60618

Tel. (773) 463-8424 Fax (773) 463-3004

e-mail info (at) aacchicago.org

website:www.aacchicago.org

FOR:  2012 Asian American Coalition of Chicago Planning Committee

THE AACC 2012 HOST COMMITTEE

Vallapa Kongsri, Chair

Arun Sampanthavivat, Co-Chair

Tippi Lee, Secretary/Tickets Chair

Surachai Moraras, Treasurer

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY, CONTACT:
Irene Cualoping, JD (ENERI/Rieny),Chair, AACC 2012 Media Committee
Managing Partner,  ENERI Communications

e-mail general: info (at) enericom.net

This release posted at: www.aacchicago.org and www.enericom.net/blog

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