2006 Lunar New Year /Spring Festival Celebration

The New York Yee Fong Toy Association welcomed 2006, year of the Dog, during its Lunar New Year/Spring Festival celebrations on February 25. One characteristic of a Dog year is the birth of leadership. For our association, the year began with the birth of new leadership under President Kenneth and Vice President Gong Sum. Although the year brings new beginnings, traditions are just as important. As traditions have it, our cousins from Boston along with our cousins from Ma and Tse associations join us for ceremonies honoring our ancestors. This year the Boston group arrived early giving everyone some time to settle in and talk. We even had Lai Sun Yee and her parents coming to New York to attend. Grand Eastern President Peter Yee, President Kenneth and VP Gong Sum led the ritual with YFT advisors, Board members, members and guests participating. After the congratulatory speeches, we had a buffet luncheon. We all had an enjoyable time talking about the upcoming convention and reminiscing about the past.

This year the evening gala had over 900 attendees. Kennie did a great job as emcee for the night. Our President Kenneth kicked off the celebrations by welcoming everyone and giving us an update to the World Yee and U.S. National Convention in August. Our Grand Eastern President Peter Yee, President of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association Yuk K. Chan, Advisor Shu Chan, Advisor Andy and our VP Gong Sum delivered the congratulatory speeches. With honorable mentions, few special events made this evening more memorable. Ms. Sandra Ong, a representative for New York State Assemblyman Jimmy K. Meng, honored us by presenting our association with a Citation for excellence. Mr. Dixon Yuan, a representative for New York City Councilman John C. Liu, presented us with a Proclamation in recognition of our association’s achievements. Director Ha Lup Yuen from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York also presented us with a proclamation for friendship and good wishes.

Our special guest Lai Sun was gracious enough to travel from Albany to speak at our banquet. Lai Sun, who recently inducted as president of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, spoke about the organization and their vision. Their present project is to organize a group of attorneys to do health care proxies for senior citizens on a pro bono basis. Lai Sun’s professionalism with compassion makes her unique as President of AABANY and as the General Counsel for the NYSEMO.

John W. Yee spoke briefly on the Youth League recruitment drive. He outlined plans for this year’s proposed events. Andy spoke in Chinese about the mission of the Youth League. With the message in both languages, the hope is that more people will join the league.

The DJ did a great job with the music entertainment. This year the Karaoke singers topped all previous years. Our American Legion guests surprised us by volunteering to sing “God Bless America”. What a voice the group had! Finally, you just had to be there when Adjutant Fang A. Wong sang one of his favorite tunes (襌院鐘聲). It lighted up the entire evening. Thank you all for making this year joyous event and hope to see everyone next year.