We love our Fire Department sign was posted in front of the stage on October 13^th during the Gala that was held at Luminarias Restaurant in Monterey Park.

We love our Police Department sign was posted in front of the stage on October 13^th during the Gala that was held at Luminarias Restaurant in Monterey Park.

We love our Library sign was posted in front of the stage on October 13^th during the Gala that was held at Luminarias Restaurant in Monterey Park.

Rodney Durand was the DJ at this event. He welcomed the 320 guests to the very special event being held to honor our Firefighters and Police Officers as well as raise funds for our library.

Mike Eng, one of our former Mayors, was the Master of Ceremonies for this event. He welcomed everyone to this very special event. It has been a long four years since the last Gala was held in our city,

The Monterey Park Police Color Guard presented our colors to everyone.

Mayor Jose Sanchez led our Pledge of Allegiance and all of the guests joined him.

Mike Eng reminded the guests that this event tonight was to raise funds for library. Please be generous  with your donations to the raffle gifts and the auctions. He introduced Fire Chief Matt Hallock and Police Chief Scott Wiese to the guests.

Fire Chief Matt Hallock read his inspiration to the guests. “He said the men and women of the Monterey Park Fire Department are deeply honored to be recognized by the Monterey Park Library Foundation for our work in our community. This gesture not only honors our dedicated firefighters but also underscores the importance of community appreciation and support for those selflessly serve and protect. The Monterey Park Library Foundation’s acknowledgement serves as a reminder of the invaluable partnership between our local library and fire department, both pillars of our community. Together, they ensure our safety, knowledge and culture enrichment. We applauded the Foundation for their commitment to strengthening our bonds and express gratitude who keep our city safe.”

He thanked the residents for supporting our fire and police departments.

Police Chief Scott Wiese read his inspiration to the guests. “He said the men and women of the Monterey Park Police Department provide first class public safety and community engagement services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Besides the traditional law enforcement services, the police department is committed to community engagement and has developed many programs to address the ever- changing parentships between the public, our community partner organizations, and the department. We lead the way in providing comprehensive mental health, homelessness engagement, and “wrap around” services to all our community. Our personnel truly believe that community partnerships are trust are the basis for success.”

“All the members of our police department family are committed to providing safety and security to the community, taking into account our core values of honor, integrity, and accountability.”

He spoke about the  horror of the last 10 months. It is an ongoing process. The fire and police departments see things they don’t want to see. He asks his officers to meet with the community. Monterey Park is very supportive of their police Department and Fire Department.

He is very proud of our officers.  He said other police chiefs have stated that their community members don’t support their police departments. He is a very happy with our community.

Have a great evening!

Mike Eng and Carol Sullivan asked the guests to please support the raffle drawings and the auctions as the money is for our library.

Bob Gin, President of the Monterey Park Library Foundation thanked the Fire and Police Department of their service to our community. We here at the Library Foundation welcomed our guests to our gala. The foundation supports our library. Monterey Park, the Fire Department and the Police Department have faced the tragedies this year. The library needs these funds to support our projects. They need $80,000 to buy a Bookmobile to service the young and elderly who can’t come to the library. They need to buy more books, more computers and some new furniture for our library.

He thanked the 320 guests tonight for supporting our library. He thanked Hans Liang and Peter Chan for donating their Recall funds of $20,000 to the library this year and the $10,000 they donated last year.

He thanked the members of the Library Foundation: Carol Sullivan, Dolores Rillos, Jason Dhing, Lila Leong-Iizumi, May May Lee, Janine Lui and Andrew Yam.

He thanked the members of the Board of Trustees: Travis Kaya, Ricky Choi, Lisa Duong, Larry Sullivan and Jennifer Tang.

He thanked members of the Friends: Nancy Ishino-Gilmore, Ellen Johannsen, Lillian Kawaratani, Rosalie Toltzman, Lorraine Esparza and Marrissa Kwok.

He thanked all of the sponsors for supporting our library.

He thanked all of the current and former elected officials for supporting our library.

He thanked all of the guests for supporting our library.

May May Lee reminded the guests that they have a free ticket at their place setting to purchase a free drink Bobaful, who are located at 555 N. Atlantic Blvd. inside the Courtyard by Marriott lobby.

Kristin Olivarez, Interim City Librarian said “After a four-year hiatus, I am very pleased to welcome you to the 2023 Library Foundation Gala. Despite the difficulties imposed on us all by the pandemic, the members of the Library Foundation have remained steadfast supporters of the library and have worked tirelessly to bring you this year’s gala. Additionally, the Foundation has sponsored giveaways for students and teachers at Alhambra Unified School’s (AUSD) Read Across America event, AUSD’s Library Card Drive, and the Library’s Educator Night. The Foundation also recognizes the importance of expanding the library’s service beyond its four walls and has earmarked $10,000 towards the acquisition of a bookmobile, which would enable staff to address one of its strategic goals of making it easier and more convent for every resident to use the library.”

“Tonight, we recognize and honor the commitment and courage of the members of the Monterey Park Fire and Police Departments who not only keep our neighborhoods safe, but also engage with the community at city, school and library events whenever possible. We thank you for your service and dedication to the community.

“On behalf of myself and the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library staff, I extend my deepest thanks to the volunteers, sponsors, staff and library supports who made this evening possible and acknowledge the crucial role the library fulfills in our community.”

Carol Sullivan asked the guests to please support the library by purchasing raffle tickets and participate in the auctions.

Mike Eng said the Congressmember Judy Chu could not participate in tonight’s event due to the Speaker issues in the House.

He introduced Mayor Jose Sanchez, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Wong, Councilmember Vinh Ngo, Councilmember Yvonne Yiu, Councilmember Henry Lo, City Clerk Maychelle Yee, City Treasurer Amy Lee, former City Manager Ron Bow, Interim City Manager Inez Alvarez, Interim Assistant City Manager Diana Garcia, Department Heads that included: Robert Aguirre, Scott Wiese, Matt Hallock, Karl Berger and Christine Tomikawa.

He also introduced Sophie Wong, former Mayor Lily Lee Chen, former Mayor Francisco Alonso, former Mayor Peter Chan, former Mayor Hans Liang, former City Clerk Theresa Amador, Cindy Wu from the Mountain View School District, Andrew Yam from the Garvey School District  and Alhambra  Councilmember Adele Andrade-Stadler.

He also thanked the city staff for supporting our city.

Bob Gin and Carol Sullivan presented proclamation in glass to the Monterey Park Police Department for their dedicated service to Monterey Park.

Bob Gin and Carol Sullivan presented proclamation in glass to the Monterey Park Fire Department for their dedicated service to Monterey Park.

Lily Lee Chen was honored for her $25,000 donation to the library.

Police Chief Scott Wiese and Fire Chief Matt Hallock were honored with proclamations from Congressmember Judy Chu, Assemblymember Mike Fong, Supervisor Hilda Solis, Chinese American Citizens Alliance and the Library Foundation.

Ronald Ahlers and Elizabeth Wong Ahlers were guests of Sophie Wong at the gala. Elizabeth Wong Ahlers is running for State Senate in California’s District 25.

Her web address is www.elizabeth4senate24.com for more information on her campaign.

Members of the Chinatown Service Center congratulated Matt Hallock and Scott Wiese for the service to our city.

Scott Wiese, Jose Sanchez, Matt Hallock, Karl Berger and Inez Alvarez posed for a group picture in honor of this event.

Mike Eng asked the guests to please spend their money on Monterey Park. He thanked the Fire and Police Departments for their service to our community. He also reminded the guests that all of the funds raised tonight would be given to the library for the bookmobile, new books, new computer and new furniture.

The first silent auction was for four tickets with paid parking at the 2024 Rose Parade. Steve Perry donated this $550 gift package.

Le Lieu bid $500 and won the Rose Parade gift. She posed for a picture with Mike Eng, Bob Gin and Adele Andrade-Stadler.

Two tickets for a Dodger Game in 2024 were donated by Ron Bow for $300.

Karl Berger bid $500 if Ron Bow would join him at the game. They posed for a picture with Bob Gin and Mike Eng.

A Grill donated by Dave Hoy; Manager of the Home Depot in Monterey Park worth $600.

Natalie Sanchez bid $600 and won the grill for her family. She posed for a picture with Jose Sanchez, her husband, Bob Gin and Mike Eng.

Andy Yam, Mike Eng and Rodney Durand sang “Happy Birthday” to Cindy Wu as today was her special day.

Andy Yam helped collect the payments for the other auction held during the gala.

The event ended with many people dancing the night away.

If you want to donate to the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library please check their email address for more information: www.montereypark.ca.gov/Library.