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« The Stock Market Goes Social | Main | Hope for China's Earthquake Survivors, Trash Collectors, Autistic Children, and Blind Orphans »

December 11, 2008

Influential Chinese Fraternity Awards Grant to Wokai

Alice  Wu

Alice volunteers with Wokai as the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter President.  You can reach her at alice.wu@wokai.org.

Last week, after an unforgettable trip in New York, I took a late flight back to the Bay Area. After landing at SFO shortly after midnight, I turned on my Blackberry and my cell phone.  There they were, two messages waiting to be opened... 

Since I joined Wokai, I have gotten used to receiving emails after dark in San Francisco, as Casey and Naomi start work in Beijing. That night, Casey sent me an email showing concerns about the slowing online fundraising campaign.  As I was thinking about what to say to Casey, I opened the second message. This one was from Myron Lee, a friend of Wokai. It reads, "Got some good news for you. I need to talk to you tonight!"  

He told me FF fraternity's San Francisco lodge will donate $2,500 to Wokai from their community service fund. This was a complete surprise, so my first reaction wasn't "Thank you" but "How did this happen?"  Myron said the brothers selected Wokai from a list of 11 non-profit organizations through online voting.   By the time Myron told me the good news, I was standing in SFO's empty food court. I sat down, thanked him, and then hit "reply" to Casey's email, subject line – Good News.

This good news is particularly meaningful to us because last year this time, when I first joined Wokai, Courtney took me to the fraternity's 2007 holiday party to give a presentation on Wokai. (Exactly one year ago we posted about that party here.  One year later, most of the fraternity members are no longer strangers; they have been reading our emails and watching us grow.  Some have come to our local events to show support.  Myron Lee, who is their Service Director, has been acting as our chapter's unofficial Public Relations Advisor.  This gift was a pleasant surprise but was not from pure luck.  I know exactly how we got it.  This was a result of our volunteers' efforts over the past year.


To all the Wokai volunteers -- Every little thing we say or do counts. We work hard to earn our donors' trust and respect, but after the donations come in, that's when the real hard work begins. Casey's recent entry  If you want to become big, should you think big or think small?  is a nice read. I think this FF story gives some validation showing that "Think Big, Act Small" may be the way to go.  We recognize that there are countless compelling causes out there that deserve attention and donations, but what makes Wokai unique is that our small acts touch people who think big.

To all the FF brothers -- Thank you again for your generous donation and support. This $2,500 is worth $2,500 in monetary value but it comes at a very important time and has encouraged our entire organization.  At our chapter's monthly meeting last Sunday, your donation motivated all 25 of us and reminded us that our efforts will be recognized. We know you have other choices to donate to, and we want to prove that you made the right choice.

 

FF fraternity picture

 

(From left to right: John, FF Fraternity's Treasurer, Courtney, Myron, and me. Notice it’s the same spot as in last year’s picture)

Last Saturday night, Courtney and I attended FF's holiday party to receive the check. Rick Chong, the Chairman of the Fraternity's San Francisco Lodge, told me that most of the FF brothers are well established in their professional fields. Juggling between career and family obligations, it is easier for them to donate money instead of time.

There is a Chinese saying – 有錢出錢  有力出力 -- If you have money, donate money. If you have time, donate time. 

Your money, paired with Wokai volunteers' time, is going to lift those villagers out of poverty, one loan at a time.


 * About FF Fraternity-- Founded in 1910, FF Fraternity is a global brotherhood of academics, professionals and entrepreneurs. FF Fraternity has evolved into one of the most active and influential Chinese fraternal organizations in the U.S.  The strength of the non-profit and non-political organization comes from its highly qualified members and their determination to build on their mission of "Fellowship and Service." Currently, there are active Lodges in Ann Arbor, Boston, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Singapore, and Washington D.C.

Posted at 02:31 AM |

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