The banner that announced the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer and Monterey Park Library Foundation are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the city.

Junior Friends of the library sold raffle tickets to the guests for 23 great raffle prizes that lucky winners will receive at the end of the event. This was one of the many ways to raise funds for the library.

JD from “Shall We Dance” was the entertainment for the Foundation’s Gala Fundraising event held on May19th at Luminarias Restaurant. He sang and played music as the 300 or more guests arrived for a wonderful evening.

Richard Gorman from the Library Foundation led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pastor Mimi Ko from Shepherd of the Hills Methodist Church led the invocation. She was happy to be invited to this event since the church, city and library have a very special relationship. She spoke about the land trade between the church and the city to provide a site for a larger location for the new library and the shared parking lot. They continue to have a good relationship. She asked God’s blessing to continue to thrive in Monterey Park. She asked God to bless and help us to serve the community.

Community College Trustee Mike Eng was the Master of Ceremonies. He welcomed everyone to this special event. He joked about the Centennial year. He told the audience that he served on the Library Board when we qualified for a $9 million grant to remodel the library and add more square footage. Since we already voted on Measure C we had most of the funds to qualify for the grant. We need to raise $7,000 in 90 days to win the grant. Our library is special. People are dedicated to it. It is with pleasure we gather here tonight to celebrate the Centennial at the library.

Foundation President Bob Gin welcomed everyone to this special evening. We are honoring John Scudder and the Scudder Foundation, Nancy Ishino-Gilmore and Winston Wu for their generous donations of their time and money to our library.

He said that over 400,000 people a year visit our library. He thanked all of the residents. He also thanked Francisco Alonso, Rita Valenzuela, Yukio and Lilian Kawaratani, Peter Chan and Mike Eng for supporting the library-building fund.

He also thanked Pastor Ko for the church’s support. In 1985 the Foundation raised funds to build the new library with upgrades and expanding the library hours to meet the needs of the old and young in the community. He mentioned the late Joan Merino who served on the board. He hopes the library lives up to her expectations.

Librarian Norma Arizu also stated that over 400,000 people a year use our library services. She thanked all of the residents who make our library successful.

Mayor Peter Chan introduced some of the special guests that included: Congressmember Judy Chu, Assemblymember Ed Chau, Julio Martinez from State Treasurer John Chiang’ s office, Monterey Park Councilmembers: Mitch Ing, Teresa Real Sebastian, Stephen Lam and Hans Liang, City Manager Paul Talbot, Lawrence Shih from Supervisor Hilda Solis’ office, Garvey School Boardmember Henry Lo, Alhambra School Boardmember Adele Andrade-Stadler, Alhambra School Supervisor Laura Tellez-Gagliano, Water Boardmember John Leung, Francisco Alonso, Anthony Wong, Pauline Lemire, Dave Barron, Chris Jeffers and Lloyd De Llamas. He asked the guests to enjoy your dinner!

Congressmember Judy Chu said she just flew in from DC to celebrate our library with you. She spoke about the old library that was bursting at the seams. It was too small and had no parking. With the $9 million state grant and Measure C our library tax with Yukio Kawaratani leading the funding drive we were able to raise funds for the new library. Measure C passed by 25 votes. It was a grass root effort by the residents.

The library serves the needs of our community. We are now opened seven days a week. She thanked LAMP for having ESL classes and help prepare people to be come new American citizens. The library also has classes for jobs and education.

She thanked everyone for their support to make our library great. She thanked John Scudder and the Scudder Foundation, Nancy Ishino-Gilmore and Winston Wu for their support.

Congressmember Chu surprised Mayor Chan with a special plaque for being the Fundraising Treasurer of Measure C. He also fund raised for the library, was also on the Building Committee. He has never stopped helping the library. He won the Library Trustee Award from the State. He currently serves on the Monterey Park City Council as mayor.

Peter Chan accepted his award from Judy Chu, Bob Gin and Norma Arizu.

Peter Chan thanked Judy Chu, Bob Gin, Norma Ariz and the Foundation for this award. You all kept it as a surprise. He said the honor belongs to all of you.

MC Eng thanked all of the raffle donors for their generous prizes.

Assemblymember Ed Chau said he was honored to be here today. He just flew in from Sacramento. He thanked Peter Chan for all of his hard work. He thanked the library staff for helping the kids. It takes a village to raise the kids. He thanked all of the residents and donors. Enjoy!

Councilmembers Peter Chan, Mitch Ing, Teresa Real Sebastian, Stephen Lam and Hans Liang, Boardmembers Janet Yu, Maria Elena Yepes, Dave Barron, Betty Morin and Katherine Foster read off the long list of donors. They thanked all of them for their generous donations to this event.

Foundation member Theresa Amador introduced former City Clerks Dave Barron and Pauline Lemire and Deputy City Clerk Cindy Trang to the audience. She thanked all of the service clubs in Monterey Park. She also introduced the City Manager Paul Talbot and Department heads: Police Chief Jim Smith, Fire Chief Scott Haberle, Assistant City Manager Ron Bow, Tom Cody and Dan Costley to the guests. She also introduced former City Managers Chris Jeffers and Lloyd De Llamas.

Foundation members Bob Gin, Theresa Amador, Dolores Rillos, Richard Gorman Peter Chan, Gloria Guerrero and Alicia Martinez all gather for a picture in honor or this event.

Bob Gin spoke about honoree John Scudder who was not able to attend this event. For the past 20 years John Scudder has choses the Bruggemeyer Library for generous donations. He honors his grandmother, Laura Scudder’s commitment to the community and the library.

Norma Arizu accepted the honor for John Scudder with Mike Eng. Laura Scudder believed in our city.  She practiced our city motto: “Pride in the Past and Faith in the Future”.

Bob Gin introduced Nancy Ishino-Gilmore as a 50-year resident and former teacher. She has dedicated many hours of her valuable time at the library. She currently tutors and teacher students at the library for nine hours a week.

Bob Gin, Norma Arizu and Mike Eng presented the award. Nancy Ishino-Gilmore said it is an honor to receive the LAMP Award for this outstanding program in the USA. She is proud of it.

Bob Gin introduced Winston Wu as a person who has helped the youth get a college education and find employment.

Bob Gin, Norma Arizu and Mike Eng presented the award. Winston Wu said he has done eight exhibits are the library for the Chinese American Education Association. He stills hold education workshops and earthquake preparedness with the fire department. He thanked the library staff for their assistance. He thanked them for this award.

Peter Chan thanked all of the sponsors for supporting the library.

Bob Gin thanked everyone for their participation.

The event closed with many lucky winners receiving their raffle prizes.