December 6 ACA High School Achievement Awards Banquet
For the 32nd year, ACA awarded scholarships to several outstanding high school seniors graduating in the Class of 2016. The keynote speech was delivered by 6th District State Representative Stephanie Chang. Seven scholarships were awarded by ACA and two scholarships were awarded by the Detroit Chinese Engineers Association (DCEA).
Click the links to read a full article on this event in English or Chinese.
December 6 ACA General Membership Meeting
Members gathered to elect new Directors to the ACA Board and to hear finanical and program reports on the status of the organization. The slate of nominees were elected to the Board. Starting their terms of January 1, 2016 to Decemebr 31, 2018 are: Shenlin Chen, Angelina Chin (2nd consecutive term), Sharon Dow, Mike Ho, John Siak, Angela Wang Beasinger (2nd consecutive term), and Jay Zheng.
November 21 ACA’s Volunteer Appreciation Thanksgiving Dinner
Volunteers who helped support the organization throughout the year were thanked at this annual event. About 80 people including volunteers, Board Directors, ACA staff, and members braved driving theough the first heavy snowfall of the season to attend. The participants enjoyed the camaraderie and delicious food.
October 16 ACA’s 43rd Anniversary Celebration Banquet
About 160 guests gathered to celebrate another successful year of programs and service to the community. We were honored to have Mr. Tom Watkins, President & CEO of Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, as the keynote speaker. The Corporate Excellence Award was presented to Delta Air Lines, Inc. The Outstanding Program Sponsor Award was presented to the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority. Recognized as Outstanding Counselors this year were Chris Chen, Annie Ning, Derek Wen, Karen Xu, and Jonathan Zhang. ACA Executive Director Shenlin Chen was presented with the Outstanding Community Service Award by the ACA Board for her years of service and dedication to the community.
October 11-12 Mackinac Island Outing
A group of 52 participants went on this two-day, one-night outing to Mackinac Island with stops at the Cross in the Woods National Shrine, Mackinaw City, Petosky, and Charlevoix. Our outing program enriches participants’ lives and has a high demand among the community.
September 27 Winter Melon Sale
Almost $400 was raised with the sale of melons and squash grown in the Community Garden at the Chinese Community Center. Under the caring and watchful tending of Mr. Chue Hom, there was a plentiful crop of melons and squash ranging in size from 5 pounds up to 35 pounds.
September 12 ACA Senior Choir Performance
The ACA Senior Choir celebrated its 10th year, along with the Moon Festival, and honored the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II. The choir performed a variety of songs and over 200 guests enjoyed a delicious lunch of Chinese food and moon cakes. The moon cake fundraising project brought in $800 this year. Special thanks to our dedicated volunteers who spent time making the moon cakes. We also thank those who supported and purchased the moon cakes.
August 30 ACA Family Fun Day
About 450 people came out to Heritage Park in Canton, Michigan for some summer fun before the start of school. The families enjoyed activities which included watermelon eating contests, tug-o-war, face painting, Chinese yo-yo, and water baloon toss. This was a community outreach event sponsored by the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority.
August 23 Detroit Asian Professionals (DAP) Sizzlin’ Summer Picnic
ACA’s young professional group, DAP-Detroit Asian Professionals, gathered on Belle Isle for a fun sizzlin’ DAP Picnic. Over 50 young professionals showed up, many for the first time, to network in a fun, family environment. There was a diversity of professionals as well as ethnic backgrounds. Thanks to financial support from Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, we were able to connect these young people in a positive way.
August 21 and August 22 Chinese Community Center 10th Anniversary Jubilee
ACA’s Chinese Community Center (CCC) celebrated its 10th Anniversary with two events. On August 21st, about 50 people had a fun evening of karaoke, mahjong, ping-pong, and bingo at the CCC followed by a special movie night at the nearby Star John R. On August 22nd, the second day of celebration started with a variety of open activities including mahjong, ping-pong, popcorn & cotton candy snacks. Attendees had the opportunity to look around the Center and interact with other guests, ACA Board and staff. The organized program segment of the day started with an exciting lion dance performance outside at the Center’s entrance, followed by lunch, a vidoe highlighting the past 10 years of the CCC, performances by ACA’s Senior Choir, martial arts demonstrations, and the presentation of door prize gift certificates from several local businesses.
August 18 Summer Outing to Dow Gardens
Two motor coaches carried participants to the area of Midlan and Bay City, Michigan to visit Dow Gardens, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio, and the Tridge.
July 13-31 ACA Summer Camp in Canton
Another successful session of summer camp was held in the Canton/Plymouth area. This year there were 84 campers who attended the three-week camp. Campers explored aspects of Chinese culture including language and writing through a variety of activities such as cooking, folk dancing, arts & crafts, drama, and storytelling.
June 20 ACA Donor Appreciation Lunch
Donors and supporters of ACA gathered to be recognized and thanked for their support. Guests enjoyed a wonderful lunch and were entertained by members of ACA’s senior choir and a line dance performance.
May 23 ACA Marches in Madison Height Memorial Day Parade
A group representing ACA joined this annual parade to honor fallen American heroes and attended the memorial service that followed in front of the City Hall building. Click here to read a full recap of the event.
May 3-7 ACA Spring Outing to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Fifty-three people participated on this 5-day, 4 night with stops between Michigan and Washington, D.C. The venues visited included D.C.’s Chinatown, Baltimore’s Inner Habor, Independence Hall, The U.S. Mint, Philadelphia’s Chinatown, Longwood Gardens, Hershey Chocolate World, and Fallingwater.
April 26 ACA Particpates in Comcast Cares Day
A group from ACA helped package food donations at this annual event hosted by Comcast.
April 17-19 ACA Welcomes OCA Delegates to Detroit for OCA National Board Meeting
As the Detroit chapter of OCA, ACA welcomed the OCA representatives from across the country. After attending a tour and presentation at ACA’s Chinese Community Center in Madison Heights, Mich., the delegates attended a specially arranged dinner at Fuji Buffet.
March 1 Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China Officials Visit
The Acting Consul General Mr. Yong Wang, Consul Yongqing Zhang, and Consul Gang Sun visited ACA’s Chinese Community Center. This was the first formal visit by officilas from the Consulate-General of the People’s Rebuplic of China in Chicago. The officials met with representatives from local Detroit Chinese schools, ACA Board Directors and representatives. After touring the facilities, casual and informative discussions were held with the participants. Click these links to read a full recap in English or Chinese.
February 28 ACA Lantern Festival
About 350 people attended this free community event at ACA’s Chinese Community Center in Madison Heights, Michigan to celebrate the Year of the Ram. The event activities included a lion dance, singing and dancing cultural performances, Chinese calligraphy, community informational booths, Chinese New Year food sales, gaming and arts & craft stations for the children. Click here to see some photos from the event.
February 21 ACA Chinese New Year Banquet
Guests enjoyed a multi-course gourmet Chinese food dinner and were entertained with Kung Fu Fan and GEM Sword Taiji presentations performed by ACA Taiji Group members Master Jie Gu, Sue Sung, and Leonard Przekaza. Emcee Andy Choi did a solo singing performance and led the drawings for raffle prizes. Incorporated into the program this year was the awarding of scholarships to several high school senior honorees from the Class of 2015. Click here to see some photos from the banquet.
February 19 ACA Chinese New Year Lunch and Open House
ACA’s Detroit Service Center welcomed about 70 guests for this special lunch in celebration of Chinese New Year. Participants toured the facilities and met staff members. The activities included a showing of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala and guests received hand-drawn Chinese calligraphy bookmarks as keepsakes.
February 18 Detroit Tigers Mascot Visit
The Detroit Tigers mascot PAWS stopped by the Chinese Community Center to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, taking time to do some line dancing and take photos with participants. It was a fun visit enjoyed by all.
January 24 Tax Tips and Health Benefits of the Affordable Care Act
This free workshop was attended by 60 participants. Attendees enjoyed a light lunch before hearing presentations on the Affordable Care Act health benefits as well as related tax tips.