On November 3rd, the Friends of Chinese Special Needs (FCSN) will be hosting their annual charity fundraising gala, “Night of Dreams,” in San Jose. The goal is to raise $300,000 to expand their projects and support the special needs community.
The FCSN fundraiser this year expects to have 50 tables, with special guest speaker Bob Lin, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and author. The gala will also feature talent performances by FCSN children and offer a variety of raffle prizes.
As a non-profit organization with over 1,200 family members and 160 staff, FCSN serves over 500 special needs adults and children in the Bay Area. Over the past two years, FCSN has introduced new day programs and life support services, with plans to expand day programs, enhance employment training support, and provide more after-school services.
Chairman of the FCSN Board, Yi-Yin Wang, explained the purpose of the fundraiser, aiming to showcase FCSN’s achievements to supporters, gain more social support, launch new projects to help those in need, and create opportunities for families to bond and promote exchange and unity.
Fundraising Chair Li-Min Hu mentioned that many families feel helpless when dealing with special needs children, and FCSN hopes to unite parents to help their children become productive members of society. This year, FCSN has received a total donation of $500,000 from Bob Lin and pledges of $120,000 from board members in the hopes of inspiring more donations. He stated, “You will gain a lot of satisfaction and happiness.”
Vice Chair Anna Wang introduced that in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of children diagnosed with autism, leading to more families facing special needs challenges. FCSN is dedicated to helping these children grow and assisting families in understanding their rights. Additionally, FCSN provides a platform for parents to share experiences and relieve stress.
Established in 1996 by ten Chinese-American families, FCSN aims to support individuals and families with special needs. In 2006, FCSN opened its first center in Fremont, followed by various services and the establishment of a second center in San Jose in 2017. In 2021, FCSN acquired a third center in Fremont, renovated it in 2023, and began operations in spring 2024.
Gala Information:
– Date and Time: November 3, 2024 (Sunday), 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
– Location: Dynasty Chinese Seafood Restaurant in San Jose
– Address: 6164 Bollinger Road, San Jose, CA 95129
– Tickets: $200 each ($140 tax-deductible) ◇