Happy Lunar New Year! HCS Celebrated the Year of the Monkey

On February 26, 2016, HCS held it's 19th Annual Lunar New Year Gala to celebrate "the Year of the Monkey" with over 500 community leaders and friends at Jing Fong restaurant in Chinatown. HCS honored NYC Council member Mark Treyger of the 47th Council District, Chinese American photojournalist and activist Corky Lee, and illustrator of the Chinese Lunar New Year stamp, Kam Mak for their contribution and dedication to the Chinese American community and their outstanding individual accomplishments.

The event kicked off with a lion dance that went from table to table sending out blessings for a good year. HCS Chairman Don Lee performed in the lion dancing as well as beating the drums, which received loud applause from the audience.

Afterwards HCS senior choir sang to welcome in the New Year. Chairman Lee reflected on the accomplishments and experiences that HCS has been through in its nearly 19 years of service. Since its establishment, HCS has been servicing the Asian community with a mission of improving the quality of life of Asian Americans. He urged the city to increase its funding for the Asian community and pointed out that the Asian population growth over the past 13 years. Nevertheless, HCS has continued to advocate for transparent and fair allocation of funds for the Asian community. Mr. Lee also expressed his gratitude to the staff, the volunteers and the community for its support and hoped to continue to work with elected officials to create a better tomorrow.

"The center currently serves a membership of over 4,000 and this year's theme is to remember our roots in serving the community and to continue to ensure that HCS remains a second home for seniors to go to." said Karen Zhou, Executive Director of HCS.

The celebrations continued with a wonderful Chinese folk dance, tai chi, Chinese opera and a special magic show.

Special thanks to New York State Senator Martin Golden, State Assemblyman Peter Abbate, State Assemblyman William Colton, District Leader of the 47th District Nancy Tong, City Council Speaker representative, Xiaomin Zhao, City Council member Margaret Chin, City Council member Mark Treyger, as well as the NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer's Office, NYC Public Advocate Office representative Adam Chen, Brooklyn DA Bureau Chief, Kin Ng, NYPD Police Comissioner's Liaison Unit, Janet Zhang, NY Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling Cohan and the many community leaders, family associations and guests who attended and made our 2016 gala a great success!!!

HCS family and friends gather with HCS oldest senior who turned 103 years old.