Mayor Betty Tom Chu was the Mistress of Ceremonies of the Monterey Park Library Foundation Benefit Dinner held at the Monterey Hill Steak House on April 29.

Approximately 200 people attended the library’s major fundraiser. They enjoyed good food, conversation and entertainment as well as many chances to win great raffle prizes.

Peter Chan, the President welcomed all to this event.  It is about raising funds for the library so please be generous.

Mrs. Chu welcome all to the event on behalf of the City Council. The Monterey Park Police Explorers presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pastor Albert Hung asked God’s blessing on all. He asked for prayers for all of the victims and their families affected by the tornadoes in the six southern states. He praised the library for his personal success in America. He spoke about how the library and educational television shows help himself, his younger sisters and his parents hüpfburg learn English. He spent many hours in the library as a child and learned to love reading. He loves the library. He thanked the library for his success as a pastor. God made us to be thinkers and dreamers. He believes in the library. Invest in our future.

Mrs. Chu spoke about the nondenominational Prayer Walk held on Good Friday. The prayers protected our police officers and firefighters during the Easter Sunday violence that took place at Garfield and Newmark. She asked everyone to join them next Good Friday for the Prayer Walk.  She stated the Library Board and City Council are grateful for all the donations. We can use the funds to enhance the library, purchase books and computer equipment. Financial impacts caused the loss of our library services. We need the library services for all the residents who live and work in Monterey Park.

Pure Fire Dancers entertained the guests with several numbers that included the Salsa, the Cha-Cha and a folk dance.  Their energy was contagious and the room rocked to the beat.

Raffle tickets were sold throughout the evening.  Agnes Arakawa and Dave Barron from the Foundation selected the lucky numbers and Junior Friends of the Library passed out the gifts.

City Librarian Dr. Barbara Marrow Williams introduced the guests of honor that included Assemblymember Mike Eng, Mayor Betty Tom Chu, Mayor Pro Tem David Lau, Councilmembers Anthony Wong and Teresa Real Sebastian, City Clerk Dave Barron, Alhambra School Boardmembers Bob Gin and Pat Mackintosh, former School Boardmember Dr. Sophie Wong.  Councilmember Mitch Ing was not able to attend but he donated funds for four dinners for the volunteers. She also introduced her staff and thanked them for their hard work at the library. She thanked all for coming and supporting the library.

Assemblymember Mike Eng honored Peter Chan, Gloria Guerrero, Ruth Willner, Virginia Greene and Agnes Arakawa for their service to the library along with Dr. Williams.

Mr. Eng said he was honored to be here tonight. Monterey Park is well known in Sacramento. Our city was the only city in Los Angeles County to receive funds from Prop. 14 to build our library addition.  We voted for Measure C that taxed us to raise funds for our library. He served on the Library Board 20 years ago before he served on the City Council.  It is important to support the library. It is the center of our community.  We can be proud of our city and library.

Mr. Chan thanked all of the donors for their generous gifts and the volunteers for their service.

Robert Lee, Bruce Lee’s brother donated a DVD to the library. The original Bruce Lee film is in Cantonese with English subtitles.  Mr. Lee attended school with Mr. Chan.

Virginia Greene thanked all the volunteers and sponsors for supporting the library. She thanked Mrs. Chu for being the emcee. She introduced the members of Library Foundation Board, Board of Trustees and Friends of the Library.  She thanked them for their services.

Mr. Gin presented a check of $1,300 to LAMP from the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, the San Gabriel Lodge. He spoke about his introduction to the bookmobile and the library as a youth.

Norma Arvizu thanked the lodge for their gift. 32 million people can’t read in the USA and 23% of California residents can’t read.

Mrs. Chu also thanked the lodge for their gift.

The Harmony Group performed a Butterfly Dance to the delight of all. Their colorful dress and dance steps invited all to enjoy spring.

Congressmember Adam Schiff and State Senator Ed Hernandez also honored Gloria Guerrero, Ruth Willner, Virginia Greene and Agnes Arakawa for their service to the library.

Dr. Barbara Morrow Williams, Lillian Kawaratani, Kin Fung, Cici Lau, Nancy Ishino-Gilmore, Joan Merino, Kathryn Foster, Agnes Arakawa, Karen Lee, Ruth Willner, Virginia Greene and Peter Chan joined together for a group picture. It was another successful fundraiser for the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.

Mrs. Chu thanked all for coming.  Please donate to the library. Remind your family and friends to read more and open up your minds.

You can make donations to the library any time of the year.