Seattle APALA 12th Annual Dinner

On the evening of April 14, the 12^th Annual Seattle APALA Dinner raised more than $8,000. The chapter hopes to send 35 youth to The National APALA Convention this July in Oakland, CA to gain personal experience with organizing campaigns around the nation involving Asian Pacific Islanders.

The event was held at the South Seattle Community College. APALA members Tien Vo and Mary Nguyen were the MCs of the night and welcomed more than 100 attendees of the dinner. There were more than 40 items for the silent auction including the big-ticket item – a gift certificate for a dinner and hotel stay at the Willow’s Lodge, which went to the highest bidder of $375 during the live auction.

The documentary film Chinese Expulsion Remembrance Project: What Will You Remember? was shown as the guests were eating dinner. The film brought together various people to discuss the history and effects of the Chinese expulsion from the Pacific Northwest in 1885 and 86. Pei Ju Chou from the International Examiner also spoke to the guests about the documentary and project on a personal level. For information about the project, visit www.examiner.org/cerp.

Spoken-word artists Mandy Yu and Henry Luke performed multiple pieces of original poetry as Andreas Baatz played the guitar. The guests were receptive to the wonderful performance by the trio. It was a great way to end the evening.

To view photos from the dinner, click here.

A Special Thanks from Seattle APALA to the following individuals and groups for their generous support.

• American Civil Liberties Union
• American Federation Teachers Local 1789
• Coalition of Labor Union Women
• Debra Meacham Charity Baskets
• Inland Boatmens Union
• International Association of Machinists Lodge 751
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 117
• Iron Workers District Council of the Pacific Northwest
• Japanese American Citizens League
• King County Councilmember Larry Gossett
• National Association of Letter Carriers Local 79
• Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 8
• Professional and Technical Employees Local 17
• Puget Sound Sage
• Quil Ceda Village
• Representative Bob Hasegawa, 11^th Legislative District
• Representative Eric Pettigrew, 37^th Legislative District
• Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, 37^th Legislative District
• Service Employees International Union Local 1199 NW
• Service Employees International Union Local 6
• Service Employees International Union Local 775
• Union Labor Bank
• United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21
• Washington State Labor Council
• Win Win Network
• Workers Center