PCDC Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Friends and Supporters
On the evening of May 6, 2016, over 470 guests assembled at the National Constitution Center in celebration of PCDC’s 50th Anniversary. The Anniversary Gala featured guests of honor David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Community Development Officer, Comcast Corporation, recipient of PCDC’s Community Service Award; Sister Mary Scullion, Founder, President, and Chief Executive of Project H.O.M.E., the keynote speaker; and Gordon Chin, Founder and retired Executive Director of the San Francisco Chinatown Development Corporation, the honored guest speaker. Other honored attendees included Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Mark Squilla, Senator Larry Farnese, Representative Michael O’Brien, and Mistress of Ceremonies Tracy Davidson.
The Gala kicked off on a lively note with modern and traditional dance and martial arts performances by Mei Fun Cheung, the Chinese American Women’s Sisterhood Society of Philadelphia, and the Dream Girls. Dongni Zhang on guqin; Penelope Qier Luo on pipa, Yue Yang on violin, and Yingguo Liu, Liya Liu, and Lixin Liu on erhu delivered a mix of Eastern and Western music. Chinatown locals Mr. Ou the dough figurine sculptor, Mr. Peng the calligrapher, and Master Chef Joseph Poon demonstrated traditional Chinese arts. Dim sum station was sponsored by Luen Fong Food and Produce. At the end of the reception, the Philadelphia Suns’ gold dragon led the crowd up the main staircase, marking the beginning of the evening program. Afterwards, the guests enjoyed the Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square with community collaborator Historic Philadelphia. The Presenting Sponsor of this event was Comcast, and the Diamond Sponsor, PECO, featured a celebratory message in their iconic crown lights.
In this way, PCDC’s 50th Gala was a community celebration. PCDC is grateful to its supporters and host committee who made our 50th Anniversary possible. The 50th Anniversary Gala brought together longtime champions of affordable housing and community building to celebrate the results of decades of good work done well.
We thank all the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to help out in the event: Mae Wong, Karis Tseng, Jenn Lam, Frances Lam, Judy Lam, Lina Choe, Michael Choe, Dongni Zhang, Chung Siu, Amy Nguyen, Connie Chen, Stan and Nye Ung, Zhicheng Zhao, David Lam, Joanna Wong, Phoebe Thai, Sydney Chin, Candice Lombardi, Patrick Tapales, Harry Leong. Stan and Chung stood out from all the helpers, being the Finest Volunteers in this event.