On December 6th Senior Representative Henry Lo welcomed the guests to Assemblymember Ed Chau’s “Annual Holiday Toy Drive” and “Make a Difference” award ceremony held the San Gabriel Hilton Hotel.

Members of the Gabrielino High School Chamber Choir sang several Christmas carols as hundreds of guests enjoyed the delicious refreshments.

Caitlyn Chau led the “Pledge of Allegiance” at the beginning of the event.

Alhambra Mayor Jeff Maloney introduced Assemblymember Ed Chau to the audience. He said that Ed Chau has served his constituency very well. He and his staff are always ready to help the residents to solve their issues.

Assemblymember Ed Chau welcome all to this special event.  Tonight we are

honoring eight outstanding individuals and organizations with the award for their dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in the community.  He asked for a moment of silence to remember the residents who lost their lives in the California wildfires. He thanked the firefighters for their service.

Christmas is a very special time of the year. He wants us to share these toys with all of the children. He thanked Mega Toys and the guests for their donations.

He introduced the 2018 award recipients: Tokuji “Toke” Yoshihashi, World War II Veteran and member of the celebrated all Japanese-American 442 Regiment; Emily Wu Truong, Mental-Health Advocate; Winston Wu, Youth Advocate & Mentor; Delario Robinson, Grass-Roots Activists; Alhambra Education Foundation, Outstanding Education Organization; Karen Mac Nair, Non-Profit Leader; Maryvale, A Leading Child-Welfare Agency and Dan Arrighi, Life-Long Public Servant.

“Our community role-models are men, women and organizations that have dedicated themselves to serving others and been actively involved in local civic affairs,” said Assemblymember Chau. “Their professional and personal dedication to issues, such as mental health, education and child-welfare is inspirational, and should be recognized by all of us.”

He introduced some special guests that included Alhambra Mayor Jeff Maloney, former Mayor Barbara Messina, San Gabriel Councilmember Chin Ho Liao, Monterey Park Councilmember Stephen Lam, City Clerk Vince Chang, former Mayor Anthony Wong, Thomas Wong from the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, Carol Quan from the County’s Tax Assessors Office and Alhambra School District Superintendent Denise Jaramillo.

Assemblymember Chau stated that he had eleven bills signed into law for 2019. They will protect the Privacy & Consumer Protections, Safeguard of Minors, Net Neutrality, Environment and Businesses.

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored 95-year-old Tokuji “Toke” Yoshihashi, a World War II veteran, in the presence of Mayor Jeff Maloney.

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored Emily Wu Truong for being Mental-Health Advocate.

Ms. Truong stated that many Americans suffer from Mental Illness. She does and she is fighting for rights of people who suffer from this disease. She thanked Assemblymember Chau for this award.

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored Winston Wu, Youth Advocate & Mentor who is a member of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance in Los Angeles. He helps the youth with education and scholarships. He has held several classes at the Monterey Park library for the students.

Mr. Wu said that he has helped many people through the California Education Association and the many Chinese American Citizens Associations in Southern California. He thanked his many volunteers for their support. His organization needs help to decorate their Rose Parade Float. He thanked Ed Chau for this award. He thanked his family, his daughter Elizabeth Wu, his son Jonathan Wu and his friend O.C. Lee. He said the donors are the key. He congratulated all of the honorees!

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored Delario Robinson, Grass-Roots Activists for his involvement in public affairs and serving on several of the Monterey Park City Commissions.

Mr. Robinson thanked Ed Chau and his staff. They are doing a wonderful job. He said Monterey Park is the number one city in California and highly rated nationally. He hopes that he is part of the Monterey Park success with our diversity in population.

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored Music Director David Pitts and members of the Gabrielino High School Chamber Choir for their participation in this special event.

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored Alhambra Education Foundation, Outstanding Education Organization for their financial support of all of the students in the district. They have raised funds to upgrade the schools and purchase new equipment for the students.

Steve Perry received the honor for the Foundation.  The district serves students in Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead and South San Gabriel. They are raising money for the All Schools Band to march in the 2020 Rose Parade. The band also marched in the 2009 parade. The district needs a great volunteer group. He thanked the Board and the District.

Ed Chau said that every child has a chance with adult help.

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored Karen Mac Nair, a Non-Profit Leader. She is the CEO of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. She was a teacher in the East Los Angeles area and worked at the Santa Anita YMCA.

Ms. Mac Nair thanked Ed Chau and his staff for this award.  It is an honor to be part of this group. We are here to have fun. We meet with Chamber members and we do make a difference. She suggested that everyone smile and greet their seatmates tonight. She believes that we should be kind and give out hugs. You are making a difference.

Ed Chau stated that small business owners make a difference.

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored Maryvale, A Leading Child-Welfare Agency established in 1856. It is the oldest welfare agency in Los Angeles County. They offer Care of Foster Youth, Early Education Centers and Community Based Services.

Steve Gunderson received the award for the agency. He said he is honored to be here tonight to recognize all of us. Maryvale helps the community. He thanked his staff. They make a difference. He thanked Ed Chau for this award.

Assemblymember Ed Chau honored Dan Arrighi, a Life-Long Public Servant. He is currently the Water Resources Manager with the San Gabriel Valley Water Company. He has served on the Temple City Council and on other city commissions.

Mr. Arrighi thanked Ed Chau and his staff for this award. He stated, “He who serves his fellow man is the greatest”.

Ed Chau thanked his staff for planning this special event. He thanked the many generous donors for their gifts of toys.

Assemblymember Ed Chau and all of the honorees posed for a group picture.

Assemblymember Ed Chau and all of the honorees posed for a group picture with the elected officials.

Assemblymember Ed Chau and his family posed for a family picture.

Assemblymember Chau also posed for several pictures with various groups and organization.

“In the spirit of the holidays, it is a pleasure to bring together various communities in my district to celebrate,” said Assemblymember Chau.  “Given these tumultuous times, I am extremely grateful for the generosity demonstrated by constituents who donated toys that will bring smiles to many children during this season.”

All toys collected are donated to non-profit organizations for distribution to families in need within the 49th District. This year the participating non-profit organizations were: Asian Youth Center, Church of Our Savior, West San Gabriel Valley Boys and Girls Club, Home of Angels, El Monte/South El Monte Emergency Resources Association, and Survivors of Murdered Children.