Chinese New Year Celebration Luncheon 2011
· Introduction
· Program and Highlights
· Thank You Note
Introduction
The Chinese New Year Celebration Luncheon was held on February 17, 2011 in the atrium at National Louis University. The event was very successful.
As many people know, the Chinese Zodiac is based on a twelve year cycle - each year is represented by an animal which includes the Pig, Dog, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, and Rooster. This year is the "Year of the Rabbit", and the first day of the New Year was February 3, 2011.
During the first two weeks of the New Year, most Chinese people will typically serve different Dim Sum, fruit candies and meat dishes, when their friends and relatives visit at home. Each Dim Sum and fruit candy has its own meaning; most of them represent good luck and best wishes. However, on the second day of the New Year, most Chinese people will eat vegetables and dried fish only, no meat.
In addition, married Chinese people will give a red envelope to children and to unmarried friends, to wish them a happy New Year and/or to extend more collaborate best wishes to them.
Program and Highlights
The Chinese New Year Celebration program included a Mini Gift Sale, a Live Musical Performance, a sampling of the Chinese New Year dried fruit candy, a Photo Booth, and Chinese Brush Writing--"Your English Name in Chinese". In addition, there was a movie clip of “A Remembrance – Chinese Club Celebrations 2010”, a Door Prize Drawing, and a Silent Auction (winners had to be present).
The Chinese Club's fundraising event went well. All donations from that day’s gift sale went to benefit the Chinese Club as well as the academic and scholarship awards. The club will also donate all proceed and donations from that day's photo booth sale to the "Thelma Coleman scholarship fund".
Also, Ms. Judith Kent, co-advisor of the Chinese club, gave a brief history of the Chinese club. The Chinese Club was established in 1986. Since 1987, the main purpose of the club has been to provide academic and social support to new and continuing Chinese students at National-Louis University.
Moreover, the club has given academic awards to outstanding Chinese Club members who have excelled in their studies. Those who qualify for the academic outstanding award receive $100, and an award certificate from the Chinese Club. Every year, the Chinese Club gives between 2 and 11 academic outstanding awards to our Club members.
Chinese Club activities represent Chinese students' interests in all aspects of college life and include the annual Chinese New Year Celebration, the annual Asian Heritage Month Celebration, and the annual Award Celebration.
In addition, the club has sponsored other events such as the Chinese Handcraft and Gift Fair, a Food Sale, Raffles, and Greeting Card Sales.
Community service includes sponsoring an income tax workshop designed to assist low-income Chinese families in filing their income taxes. In the broader community, the Chinese Club provided publicity for "Bone Marrow Drive and Fundraiser" for the Buddhist Compassion Relief TZU CHI Foundation. The Club also engaged in Fundraising to support Red Cross relief efforts following the Asian Tsunami. In response disasters, the club supported New York disaster relief after September 11, 2001, Earthquake relief for the 2008 China Earthquake, and the 2009 China and Taiwan Typhoon disaster relief efforts, through the Red Cross.
In addition, the club supported NLU's 2010 Haitian Relief Effort by promoting the participation of the club members, friends and Chinese student alumni as well. Currently, the club supports and participates in the NLU's 2011 Thelma Coleman Scholarship Fundraising.
The Live Musical Performance started after Ms. Ho Yan Chen, a Club officer, gave the Chinese New Year greeting "Gung Hay Fat Choy" to the participants at the luncheon.
The Chinese Brush Writing and the Live Musical Performances highlights (see photos below)
