Chinese-American Planning Council

Our report card

2008-08-01T09:01:00.001-07:00

What's that? You are interested in doing CPC a huge favor? Well, the first thing you can do is let us know how you liked this year's Walkathon and Family Day Fair. We'd be really grateful if you'd help us out and fill out our survey by clicking here.

Not to change the subject...

2008-07-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

If you had fun at the Walkathon, definitely mark down Thursday, September 18th in your calendar. That's the date of CPC's "Rebuild Sichuan" dinner, which will raise money for victims of the massive earthquake in China this past May. To learn more, click here.

Beat me to it...

2008-07-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

Look, the Walkathon made it onto other blogs now!

Thank you!

2008-07-28T08:46:00.000-07:00

What a day! The steamy weather didn't deter thousands of folks from making the biennial pilgrimage across the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday, and tens of thousands of dollars from being raised for our seniors. Pictures, stories, and wrap-ups to come soon. Stay tuned!

Walkathon Program

2008-07-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

CPC Walkathon 2008
PROGRAM

At Columbus Park, Manhattan:
9:30am Performance by seniors from Chinatown Senior Center

9:40am Performance by seniors from Open Door Senior Center

10:00am Kick-off Ceremony
Opening Remarks
Jenny Low, Chairwoman
Dr. Pearl Tam, Walkathon Committee Chair

10:05am Acknowledge sponsors
Present award to Chinese Radio and Chinatown Partnership LDC

10:10am Jenny Low announces Walkathon Grand Marshal Councilman John Liu
and hands over the Grand Marshal Sash to Councilman John Liu

10:15am Announce all VIP guests

10:20am Speech by VIP guests

10:25am Lion Kick Off Dance

10:30am Kick-off cutting of balloons
Lion Dance, John Liu will be the Grand Marshal to lead the walk

At Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn:
11:00am Welcome speech by President Chester Lee
Welcome Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President

11:10am Councilman John Liu will hand over the Walkathon banner to Chester Lee

11:15am Speech by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

11:30am Walkers leave Cadman Plaza

At Columbus Park, Manhattan

12:00 noon Magic show

1:00pm Math Competition

1:30pm Face painting
Arts & Crafts

2:00pm Closing

$100,000!

2008-07-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

The walking hasn't even begun yet, and we've already raised $100,000 for our seniors! Donate now and help us reach our ultimate goal!

Walkathon Bulletin: The final episode

2008-07-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

CPC Walkathon Bulletin #7
July 25, 2008
By Interns at the Central Office of the Chinese-American Planning Council
150 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012
www.cpc-nyc.org
www.cpcwalkathon2008.blogspot.com

The Walkathon is tomorrow!

(1) This is it! We've been preparing for months to make tomorrow as much fun for everyone as possible-- now you just need to show up. Please, if you are reading this e-mail, be at Columbus Park tomorrow at 10 am.

(2) As if you needed any more incentive: tomorrow's program is filled with interesting guests and fun activities. We have several city officials slated to attend, including two borough presidents, a congresswoman, and (drumroll please) Grand Marshal John Liu. More than that, the New Jersey Nets will have a table at the Family Day Fair. If you want tickets to see their new star, Yi Jianlian, this may be your chance.

(3) It's official: the weather tomorrow will be beautiful. (In case you are wondering, the chance of any sort of precipitation is 20%-- so it may be a good idea to show up).

(4) Bring water! We'll have water for everyone, but remember, it's a long walk. Grab a Poland Spring on your way out.

(5) Our thanks to all of our volunteers, who have put in the hours to make tomorrow the best Walkathon ever. We couldn't have done it without you.

(6) See you tomorrow at 10!

TOMORROW!

2008-07-25T07:37:00.000-07:00

This is it! One more day until the Walkathon. We better see you tomorrow at 10 am in Columbus Park. It's at the corner of Mulberry and Bayard Streets.

Cool people...

2008-07-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

The guest list for Saturday's Walkathon gets longer and longer. Some recent additions include Department of the Aging Commissioner Edwin Mendez-Santiago, who will not only participate but also walk with us, City Councilmember Alan J. Gerson, and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez. These in addition, of course, to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and our Grand Marshal, Councilmember John Liu. We're also expecting representatives from the office of State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Bulletin #7

2008-07-24T08:36:00.001-07:00

CPC Walkathon Bulletin #7
July 24, 2008
By Interns at the Central Office of the Chinese-American Planning Council
150 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012
www.cpc-nyc.org
www.cpcwalkathon2008.blogspot.com

There are 2 days until the Walkathon!

(1) Steve Yip has made what can only be called a bold prediction: "We will raise $100,000 by Friday." Help prove Steve right and make a donation on his behalf at https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=7556.

(2) Our volunteers continue to work feverishly on the front lines in the final days before the Walkathon-- reports from Central say that the office has become "like a factory" with volunteers all over the place, working both inside and outside the office.

(3) Showing our public face: The final Walkathon Press Conference will take place today at CPC Manhattan Community Services Center at 1 pm.

(4) Not to beat a dead horse, but it wouldn't be a terrible idea to register to walk today. Come on over to Central (150 Elizabeth Street) from the hours of 9 to 6. It may take five minutes-- if there's a line.

(5) Craziness at Columbus Park: Our Family Day Fair, which starts at 11 on Saturday, is sure to be a great time for the whole family. Activities will include face painting, a magic show, and even an apperance by representatives of the New Jersey Nets. So if you hate walking-- well, there's other fun stuff to do also!

(6) Did I mention the weather? The forecast still calls for beautiful weather come Saturday morning.

Yes, that's us.

2008-07-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

CPC staff rang NASDAQ's closing bell yesterday. Footage and more pictures to come soon.

Bulletin #6

2008-07-23T08:26:00.001-07:00

CPC Walkathon Bulletin #6
July 22, 2008
By Interns at the Central Office of the Chinese-American Planning Council
150 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012
www.cpc-nyc.org
www.cpcwalkathon2008.blogspot.com

There are 3 days until the Walkathon!

(1) Inch by inch... the latest fundraising total for this year's Walkathon is $90,000. Please help us break the $100,000 mark today by donating now at https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=7556.

(2) Of stocks and seniors: CPC staff and Council Member John Liu rang the closing bell at NASDAQ yesterday afternoon, presiding over an excellent market day (the NASDAQ composite average went up by more than one percent). Pictures and footage will be posted on the Walkathon blog at www.cpcwalkathon2008.blogspot.com. It's cool stuff; check it out when you get the chance.

(3) Three cheers for our Queens volunteers on their last day at work. These kids have raised hundreds of dollars for the Walkathon and their tabling and postering efforts throughout Flushing and the greater Queens area have been invaluable.

(4) Greeks! An Asian-interest Fraternity and Sorority have teamed up to support our Walkathon. They've agreed to donate 50% of the proceeds from a party they're holding Saturday night to support our seniors.

(5) Walking in the sun: The forecast for Saturday's weather still calls for a beautiful day with plenty of sun. Not a bad day to go for a walk across the Brooklyn Brdge.

(6) Why haven't you registered? Pre-registration continues at the Central Office (150 Elizabeth Street), and we want to keep our volunteers at the registration booths busy. It goes on from 9 to 6 every day, so why not come over today?

This is how we roll...

2008-07-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Check it out, Chinatown Partnership has generously agreed to post Walkathon posters on their garbage cans! We're everywhere!

Check us out!

2008-07-22T08:13:00.000-07:00

Click here at 3:50 this afternoon to watch CPC staff and Council Member John Liu ring the closing bell at NASDAQ!

Bulletin #5

2008-07-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

CPC Walkathon Bulletin #5
July 22, 2008
By Interns at the Central Office of the Chinese-American Planning Council
150 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012
www.cpc-nyc.org
www.cpcwalkathon2008.blogspot.com

There are 4 days until the Walkathon!

(1) Pushing 90: The latest fundraising total for this year's event has us at $86,119. Wanna help? Take two minutes right now and donate at https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=7556.

(2) Shooting Hoops for Seniors: The New Jersey Nets will have a table at Saturday's Family Day Fair, which starts at 11 in Manhattan Chinatown's Columbus Park. Though the Nets had a poor season last year, they are sure to do better this year with the help of Chinese phenom Yi Jianlian. Look out for merchandise and other cool stuff.

(3) Our volunteers continue to spearhead last-minute efforts to promote the Walkathon; in Brooklyn, they continue to table and work on arts and crafts, and in Manhattan, a group of volunteers and interns raised $91 in less than an hour!

(4) The bells ring for our Walkathon at NASDAQ today, as CPC staff and Council Member John Liu will ring the closing bells and promote Saturday's event this afternoon. Check us out by going to http://www.nasdaq.com/about/marketsitetowervideo.asx at 3:50 today. Pictures to come soon...

(5) Register! Pre-registration is open from 9 to 6 every day at Central (150 Elizabeth Street).

A slam-dunk for seniors...

2008-07-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

The New Jersey Nets have agreed to support this year's Walkathon! CPC is proud to announce a Nets table at this year's Family Day Fair with merchandise and other cool stuff! Come on over to Columbus Park!

Bulletin #4

2008-07-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

CPC Walkathon Bulletin #4
July 21, 2008
By Interns at the Central Office of the Chinese-American Planning Council

150 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY, 10012
www.cpcwalkathon2008.blogspot.com
www.cpc-nyc.org

There are 5 days until the Walkathon!

(1) Money! The latest fundraising total for the Walkathon is $84,203! But we still have over $100,000 to go to meet our goal. Help us out and donate at https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=7556.

(2) With a little help from our friends: The Chinatown Partnership has generously agreed to support the Walkathon by including the event in their daily bulletin. Additionally, they have agreed to place Walkathon posters on garbage cans throughout the neighborhood. So when you finish your coffee today, look for us on your local garbage can!

(3) Have you heard about the Wall of Honor? Our collection of messages made by CPC staff about the Walkathon has been used to create a Wall of Honor. "It is important to raise money for our seniors," one message explains, "because one day we will be seniors." These messages have be recreated on a beautiful banner.

(4) A reminder that CPC staff will be ringing NASDAQ's closing bell Tuesday, along with City Council Member John Liu. This event will be used to promote the Walkathon on Saturday.

(5) A call for talent! We could still use performers at our Family Day Fair Saturday-- if you know anyone who might be interested in attending, please e-mail Mabel Long at mlong@cpc-nyc.org.

(6) GET EXCITED! The projected forecast for this Saturday is sunny with a high of a pleasant 84 degrees! Come and join us for our beautiful walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Pre-registration...

2008-07-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

...is under way! To register, come over to Central (150 Elizabeth Street); Monday thru Friday, 9-6.

Happy Friday!

2008-07-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest Walkathon bulletin.

$80,000!

2008-07-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

For the second day in a row, we've past a fundraising milestone. We've now raised over $80,000 in support of our Walkathon!

The latest!

2008-07-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the latest Walkathon bulletin here...

Ringing bells for the Walkathon

2008-07-17T11:26:00.001-07:00

CPC staff have been invited to ring the closing bell at Nasdaq next Tuesday! More to come soon.

Please note!

2008-07-17T09:33:00.001-07:00

Walkathon pre-registration starts next Monday at Central (150 Elizabeth Street), and lasts from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Come on over and register!

A call to action

2008-07-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

Friends,

Bill Yeung, Director of Human Resources here at the CPC, has foolishly entered into a fundraising contest with us interns. He has agreed to match the amount of money by which we defeat him by donating the difference himself. Please make a donation by clicking "Donate here" on the right-hand-side of this page. If you want to be really nice, make your donation on behalf of "CPC Interns." Thank you!

$70,000!

2008-07-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

The good news is that our latest fundraising update has the total amount raised at $72,668. The bad news is that we still have well over $120,000 to go in order to meet our ultimate goal. Please, please, please donate now.

Meet Mrs. Chen

2008-07-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Below is the story of three seniors who volunteer on a daily basis to assist their peers at the Chinese-American Planning Council’s Chinatown Senior Service Center. Proceeds from this year’s biennial Walkathon and Family Day Fair will benefit CPC’s city-wide senior services, and allow these seniors to continue their vital work helping others.

Meet Mrs. Chen

Her friends sitting nearby laugh as she announces proudly the year in which she emigrated to the United States: “1948!” When the United States Navy returned home in the aftermath of World War II, they were one person stronger: Mrs. Chen accompanied her new husband, an American naval officer, home. “It was a long time ago,” she points out, but it becomes clear that she is referring to something more than just the passage of time. “Back then there were no Chinese,” she begins, “I didn’t know any English, and I had difficulty shopping on my own…I just showed the cashier my money, and he took however much it cost.” Forced to live on only 25 cents an hour, Mrs. Chen soon wondered whether the journey had been worth her while. “We couldn’t go back to China, even if the boat ticket only cost $200.” But Mrs. Chen found her place doing one thing she was passionate regardless of the cultural barriers she faced. “When my children grew older, I had more free time, and I started to help out in my older brother’s health clinic.”

Sitting next to her is Mrs. Huang, an 84-year-old woman who, on the verge of retirement, sought a new life in the United States in 1988. Utterly committed to the notion of family unity, Mrs. Huang came at the behest of a daughter already residing in the United States. Almost immediately, she put herself to work for the Chinese-American Planning Council—“I was a nurse in China,” she explains, “so I was qualified to take care of patients.” Ms. Chen may be well over 80, but she expects nothing from anyone but herself: she spends the better part of her day helping other seniors in CPC’s Chinatown Senior Center.

In a roomful of seniors, though, the identity of the leader soon becomes clear. In a white baseball cap and a “USA” shirt, Mr. Chen (no relation to Mrs. Chen) talks most enthusiastically about his new life as a volunteer. He takes pride in his distinguished position: President of the Volunteers Committee. Like Mrs. Huang, he came to the United States at the invitation of his children. But he found himself bored when, citing his age, they refused to allow him to work. He immediately sought out the Chinese-American Planning Council and became a member at the Chinatown Senior Center. He soon found himself rising through the ranks of its volunteer program, and now, on a sticky summer day, he describes not what others can do for him, but what he will do to help them.

Indeed, with twinkles in their eyes, all of the seniors chime in as he describes what they do on a daily basis to help their friends at the senior center. Their job entails regulation of operations at the center, he explains. They aren’t paid a salary, but arrive at the senior center at 8 o’clock every morning nonetheless. Working together, they prepare meals and assist their ill or disabled friends. “We are old…it’s impossible to donate a lot of money,” Mr. Chen says, “so we volunteer to help the community.” A smile forms on his face. “There is no investment in us, yet, we all work hard.”

The Workforce Walkathon

2008-07-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

Shout out to team Workforce, which, we were informed today, has raised over $1,000 for the Walkathon. Thanks!

We're getting famous...

2008-07-14T09:05:00.001-07:00

Guess what was featured on Sino TV? That's right... Walkathon 2008!

IT'S CRUNCH TIME!

2008-07-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Two weeks until zero hour, my friends. There is an easy way to feel good about yourself. Go to the top-right hand corner of this page, click donate here, and give any amount of money you can spare. It's for a good cause. We promise.

Seniors and Scenic Routes

2008-07-11T12:21:00.001-07:00

The only rewards for joining on the 26th won't just be a gift bag and feeling good about yourself. You will also get a fantastic and scenic tour of New York City and its most famous bridge.

The Giant from Guangdong

2008-07-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

At the invitation of a senior New Jersey Nets official, CPC staff attended a press conference Wednesday during which the Nets' latest acquisition, Yi Jianlian, was introduced. Yi, who hails from Guangdong province in China, is nothing short of an idol for millions of Chinese basketball fans worldwide.

Cash from the kids...

2008-07-09T14:53:00.001-07:00

Our heartfelt thanks to the folks in CPC's Day Care division, who've already managed to raise over $5,000 for our Walkathon. Keep the donations flowing! Together, we'll make life better for seniors in our community.

Even if you can't join us...

2008-07-08T11:01:00.001-07:00

Please help us out by donating money online-- it won't take more than a minute. Just click "donate here" on the right hand side of this page.

An awesome guest list...

2008-07-08T07:18:00.000-07:00

In addition to Council Member John Liu, who will serve as the Grand Marshal for the event, the Chinese-American Planning Council is proud to announce the planned attendance of other city officials at this year's Walkathon, including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. If you are interested in attending (and even if you aren't a Borough President!), please e-mail walkathon@cpc-nyc.org

Way back when...

2008-07-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

In 1995, Nan Shan was featured in the New York Times article below. Still running strong with over 200 seniors in a given day, Nan Shan, as a result of proceeds from this year's Walkathon, will soon see permanent changes: Construction has already begun on a new 10-story building in Flushing (including a new senior center) from which CPC will be able to serve people of all ages...

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE3D81031F933A1575BC0A963958260

Nan Shan: A second home for our seniors

2008-07-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

The future of senior centers...

2008-06-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

The article below describes the perils facing senior centers in New York City, particularly the wake of new budget cuts. Join us on the 26th as we seek to raise funds in order to better the state of our senior centers!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/nyregion/30senior.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=senior+centers&st=nyt&oref=slogin

If you're wondering...

2008-06-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

The scheduled events for the 26th, and some cool prizes you can win, are listed at the bottom of the site. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page.

The latest...

2008-06-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to a newsletter prepared by CPC Special Events intern Katherine F., describing preparations for the Walkathon and other happenings in the organization. To view, just go to the website below, and then click "Download/View."

http://freefilehosting.net/download/3ih38

Welcome!

2008-06-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) will be staging a walkathon on Saturday, July 26th. Expected to draw over 5,000 walkers, this year's event is entitled "Honoring the Seniors", and will raise money for CPC's many Senior-focused centers and activities (to learn more about them, visit cpc-nyc.org).

Welcome to our blog-- the mouthpiece for all things Walkathon. Maintained by CPC interns charged with organizing the event, it will continue to be updated with relevant posts as the Walkathon draws closer.

In the meantime, below is a video describing the Walkathon prepared by CPC interns Michelle K., Jenn W., and Marlene L.

Enjoy!