On Friday, March
13, the New York Yee Fong Toy
Association hosted its annual Spring
Banquet and Senior Members
Appreciation Gala at the House of
Joy Restaurant in Chinatown. The
event was a grand affair, with 32
tables arranged to accommodate the
many attendees. The venue was
bustling with guests, creating an
atmosphere filled with festivity and
harmony.
The gala was graced
by a host of notable guests,
including New York State Senator
Stephen T. Chan, New York State
Assemblyman Lester Chang, New York
City Councilman Christopher Marte,
and Susan Zhuang, representing
Assemblyman Sterley Stanley. The
President of the Chinese
Consolidated Benevolent Association,
Mr. Eric Y. Ng, was also present,
alongside many leaders from the
local Chinese communities. In
keeping with tradition, the Yee Fong
Toy Association invited elders over
the age of 65 from the membership,
as well as representatives from
friendly groups such as the Ma and
Xie (Der) clans, to join the
celebration. The distinguished
presence of these guests contributed
to the lively and vibrant atmosphere
of the evening.
The evening's
activities commenced under the
guidance of Grand Advisor Gong Sum
Yee, who served as host. President
Bo Xi Yee delivered the opening
speech, offering a heartfelt welcome
and expressing sincere gratitude to
everyone in attendance. He
emphasized the association's
commitment to advancing various clan
affairs and highlighted the
importance of recruiting new
members, especially from the younger
generation, to ensure that the
century-old legacy of the
association continues to thrive for
generations to come.
The celebration
featured speeches and blessings from
several prominent figures, including
Andy Yu, Eastern Grand President;
Larry Yee, Grand Elder of the Yee
Fung Toy USA Headquarters; Alan Yu,
President of the New England
Yee Fung Toy Association; and Eric
Ng, President of the Chinese
Consolidated Benevolent Association.
State and city council members also
addressed the gathering, presenting
certificates of recognition to
honour the association’s
contributions. The evening concluded
with a thank-you speech delivered by
Vice President Qian Yuan Yu.
As the evening
drawn to a close, the emcees led the
entire audience in singing the
classic song 《友誼之
光》.
The Spring Banquet
and Elderly Appreciation Gala was
not only a celebration, but also a
testament to the enduring spirit and
unity of the Yee Fong Toy
Association. Guests enjoyed an
evening filled with laughter,
heartfelt conversations, and
traditional performances that
highlighted the rich cultural
heritage of the community. The event
fostered lasting connections among
attendees, reinforcing a sense of
belonging and pride within the
association.
The heartfelt and
melodic singing provided a perfect
conclusion to the night's
performances. The host then
announced the official end of the
party with a warm, touching speech,
marking the event as a true
celebration of both talent and
togetherness. This gathering not
only showcased the abilities of clan
members but also strengthened the
bonds within the community, making
it an undeniably joyous, harmonious,
and memorable occasion.
