On December 6th (last Saturday), the San Francisco chapter of the Foundation for the Arts and Culture in Asia (FASCA) held its annual Volunteer Service Award ceremony and Christmas tree lighting event at the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center to recognize the outstanding contributions of overseas youth in community service. Approximately 120 students, parents, and community members attended the event.
Director Zhuang Yashu of the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center delivered a speech, emphasizing that since its establishment in 2011, FASCA has been a vital platform for cultivating leadership, service spirit, and cultural identity among overseas youth.
She congratulated the 26 award-winning students, acknowledging their growth and dedication in a year of volunteer service. “We must give children the greatest encouragement, let them know that every effort is worth recognizing, and we hope this love and spirit of service will continue,” she said.
The event kicked off with a collective dance performed by all FASCA students, igniting the atmosphere with youthful energy. Following that, students took turns stepping onto the stage to read aloud and hang up their Christmas wish cards, while some guests made cards on the spot, offering blessings and hoping that the children’s wishes would come true.
During the award ceremony, bronze, silver, and gold awards were presented, and four student representatives shared their experiences in service.
Ethan Weng, the current president of FASCA, expressed his hope that everyone would enjoy this annual event organized by students together and thanked all partners for their efforts over the past year. His mother, Jennifer Hung, mentioned in an interview with Dajiyuan that her son, after joining FASCA for three years, became more outgoing and independent. Notably, he showed significant growth in time management and leadership skills, and most importantly, he made like-minded friends here, which she considered the most precious gain in his growth process.
Gold award winner Avriel Chiu told Dajiyuan that FASCA helped her reconnect with Taiwanese culture in the American environment. She said, “I have accumulated two hundred hours of volunteer service this year and hope to challenge three hundred hours next year.” Silver award winner Wang Bos (Parsa Aldavood) also told the reporter that FASCA had transformed him from being shy to confident and helped him discover passion in activities like lion and dragon dancing. His father, Nabi Aldavood, expressed full family support for his child’s participation in this group full of learning opportunities.
Fu Qijun, president of the Northern California Chinese School Council, and Vice President Liao Xiujing, expressed to the press that the cultural heritage and mutual assistance spirit demonstrated by FASCA are among the most cherished strengths of overseas youth.
In attendance to show support were Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioners Wei Derong, Wu Yiming, Lin Zhengyuan, Li Yuanlin, Chen Yangming, Chinese Community Activity Committee Chairman Chen Ligong, and Golden Mountain Bay Area Republic of China National Day Celebration Preparatory Committee Chairman Lin Xiuxiang, among other distinguished guests.