2023 PYFT Spring Banquet
Report
On March 4, 2023,
Phoenix Yee Fung Toy Association held
its annual Spring Banquet for the Year
of the Rabbit at the Great Wall
Restaurant. This was the first Spring
Banquet since 2020, the Year of the Rat.
Special guests in
attendance were San Francisco
Headquarter Elder Mr. Eddie Yee and his
wife, Headquarters Grand Elder Mr. Alan
Yee and his wife, Headquarters Western
Grand President Mr. Kenny Yee,
Headquarters Advisor Mr. William Yu and
Headquarters Advisor and President of
Yee Shew Yan Association Mr. Sherman Yu.
Last but not least, Honorable Arizona
State Treasurer Kimberly Yee and her
husband Dr. Nelson Mar were also in
attendance.
The 2023 Spring
Banquet was emceed by the English
Secretary Jack JF Yee and Chapter
President Brenda Yee Fung. This year’s
Spring Banquet was very special as a
pair of Imperial Lions performed the
Lion Dance before the dinner and two
traveling musicians, Mr. Pei Huang and
Mr. Zhongoing Chen from the Phoenix
Chinese Opera Art Club, performed a
number of Cantonese songs and
entertained the audience during the
dinner.
After that, President
Brenda Yee Fung, the Chapter’s first
female president, delivered a Welcome
Speech (see the full speech in the next
section of the report). Following the
Welcome Speech, our out-of-town special
guests - Mr. Tony Leong Yee (Vice
President of the San Francisco
Headquarter), Mr. William Yu and Mr.
Sherman Yu (Headquarters Advisors) and
Mr. Kenny Yee (Western Grand President)
- each gave congratulatory and
encouraging speeches to all the Yee
family members in the audience. Everyone
in the audience remembered our beloved
Uncle John, and all were encouraged to
uphold the Spirit of the Elder’s
kindness and to wholeheartedly serve the
Overseas Chinese Community and to
continue to carry forward the affairs of
the Association.
Pastor Steven Yee
gave a blessing over the food and then
dinner was served.
President Brenda Yee
Fung continued to introduce the guests
and staff of the Association. Mrs. Betty
Yee, Chairperson of the Scholarship
Program and her committee board member
Mrs. Jeannette Hing, presented five
total scholarships. Scholarships were
awarded to one graduating junior high
schooler (Jacob Hing) and four
graduating high schoolers (Alan Yee,
Cindy Deng, Lucas Lo and Nathan Yee).
Our Scholarship Program has always
stressed the importance of our inherited
Chinese Culture and encouraged children
to learn Chinese in addition to their
traditional schooling.
The last program of
the evening, the lucky raffle drawing,
was officiated by Mr. Fred Yee and Mr.
Paul Yee (Uncle John’s second and third
sons). The raffle was as popular as
ever. In addition to a variety of small
home appliances, there were also many
gift certificates donated by Great Wall
Restaurant, Harbor Seafood Super Buffet
and China Chili Restaurant. Lastly, a
“Lee Kam Kee” gift pack donated by the
Chinese Restaurant Association was given
to a lucky winner at each table.
Finally, Chinese
Secretary Mr. Fu Keung Yu made a toast
and wished everyone good health, family
happiness and good fortune in the Year
of the Rabbit. Mr. Jack JF Yee gave the
benediction and wished to see everyone
again next year!
Brenda Yee Fung
President of the Phoenix Yee Fung Toy
Association
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