On November 25th, the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Taiwan Concern Association held a Thanksgiving charity event at the Centerville Presbyterian Church in Fremont. The event aimed to distribute meal boxes and warm jackets to the community, spreading holiday warmth.
The event kicked off at 1:00 PM with the Love More Dental Clinic offering free medical services in front of the church. President He Shuzhen said they prepared 500 Thanksgiving meal boxes, including turkey dinners, desserts, beverages, and jackets donated by member Chen Yangming, hoping to make the community feel peace and care during the holiday season. Taiwanese Americans, deeply rooted in the local community, have received much support and now wish to give back through actions.
President Xie Zhenkuan of the Taiwan Concern Association mentioned that the event, started in 1999, initially faced some challenges but learned from various charity organizations and with the long-term assistance from a Vietnamese-owned restaurant that has kept prices stable for over twenty years, allowing the event to continue.
Acknowledging the challenges of immigrant life, Xie emphasized the importance of gratitude and hoped that the accumulated acts of kindness over the years would bring warmth to those in need, looking forward to more people willing to give back to society in the future.
Before the event began, Boy Scout Troop BSA 176 conducted a flag-raising ceremony followed by leading everyone to sing the American national anthem. Three pastors blessed everyone in Taiwanese, Spanish, and English. Outside the church, a long line formed where people patiently waited to receive their Thanksgiving meals, creating a warm and hopeful atmosphere.
After 4:00 PM, Director Wu Zhixiang, Director Zhuang Yashu, Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, Councilor Shao Yang, and former Fremont Mayor Gus Morrison gathered with various volunteers to distribute meal boxes and warm jackets. The meal boxes were rich, including roast turkey, mashed potatoes, broccoli, spring rolls, bread, cake, cookies, and beverages. There were also drum performances and a band to enliven the atmosphere.
Director Wu Zhixiang shared that the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, with its spirit of “taking from society, using for society,” has been serving the community for 25 years, touching people with their actions to care for the underprivileged.
Chen Yangming, President of Landway International, a long-time donor of jackets and blankets, stated that giving back to the community is a duty. For over ten years, he has provided warm materials and prepared around 600 jackets this year. Any remaining items will be distributed at the church’s weekly charity events. He mentioned that both the chamber and the church have put in long-term efforts, and he is glad to contribute.
Mayor Raj Salwan of Fremont expressed his honor in participating in the event once again, making it his annual commitment. He praised the community spirit of mutual assistance in Fremont, emphasizing that the event’s continuity over the years showcases the community’s generosity.
Councilor Shao Yang mentioned that apart from interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he joins the volunteers in serving every year, stating that Thanksgiving is not just a festival but a reminder to see the community’s needs. Witnessing people lining up for food, he felt deeply that there are still many underprivileged people in Fremont who need help. He thanked the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce for their dedication to the local community over the past two decades and expressed his respect for their contributions.