On March 15, the New York Kaiping Fellow Villagers Association held a grand “Spring Festival Celebration for the Elderly and Scholarship Awarding Gala” at Xi Yun Lai Restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Approximately 400 people, including representatives from the political, overseas Chinese, and community organizations, students, and parents, attended the event. The President of the Kaiping Fellow Villagers Association, Deng Xueyuan, received accolades such as the “President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award” for his long-standing dedicated service to the community. The association also awarded scholarships to many students, creating a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.
The celebration kicked off with a lively lion dance performance, followed by speeches from President Deng Xueyuan, Hu Xiaoqiang, and Guan Zudong, extending Lunar New Year blessings to the fellow villagers and expressing gratitude for the strong support from various overseas Chinese organizations and community groups that have enabled the association’s continuous development.
Guest speakers including Chen Yongfeng, Director of the New York Overseas Chinese Education Center, and Zhu Chaoran, President of the New York Chinese Public Hall, praised the Kaiping Fellow Villagers Association for its longstanding history and commitment to the noble traditions of respecting the elderly and caring for the young.
New York City Councilman Christopher Marte, represented by Chairman Huang Huaching, delivered a speech congratulating the association and presented Deng Xueyuan with the “President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award” on behalf of the American Chinese Hotel Association board and Chairman Chen Le-Ying. Chen Le-Ying also donated a check to the Kaiping Fellow Villagers Association to support its organizational development. New York State Assemblyman Zheng Yongjia attended the event in person to present Deng Xueyuan with an award, recognizing his contributions to the community.
Deng Xueyuan’s two daughters, Dr. Deng Yanjing, who specializes in neuroscience research, and Master Deng Yanting, both born in the United States, also attended the event. The sisters not only excel academically but also show filial piety to their parents, carrying on the tradition of Chinese filial piety. They expressed gratitude for their parents’ hard work in raising them and each donated a $1000 check on the spot to support younger students in their pursuit of education, demonstrating the virtue of repaying society and the importance of gratitude.
The New York Kaiping Fellow Villagers Association awards scholarships and honors the elderly annually through events such as the Spring Banquet, Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, Qingming Festival, and Autumn Double Ninth Festival, carrying on the tradition of respecting the elderly and caring for the young. The gala, hosted by the association’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and others, featured a raffle session and performances by the elderly, creating a memorable and joyous evening for all attendees.