Asian Americans Salute Frontline Heroes
Dear friends,
Asian Americans Salute Frontline Heroes (AASFH) has successfully concluded its campaign. Your generous donation which serves as the cornerstone of our campaign allows us to accomplish all our objectives in a very short 7-week period. Every committee member has worked tirelessly to make this possible.
Below is a brief summary of what we have accomplished for each of our three objectives: 1. Honoring our frontline heroes who are putting their lives at risk for our benefit. We have delivered 10,000 meals to frontline heroes (doctors, nurses, policemen, firefighters, sanitary workers, health department employees…) at more than 50 separate locations.
2. Helping Asian restaurants that are struggling due to this pandemic. We have paid more than $100,000 for the above 10,000 meals to more than 30 Asian restaurants.
3. Counteracting the growing anti-Asian sentiment and highlighting contributions of Asian Americans during this pandemic. We have published two full-page and two half-page ads (see attached) in Houston Chronicle to highlight the contribution of Asian Americans to this pandemic (more than 3 million dollars in total donation) and to address the issue of growing anti-Asian sentiment due to the pandemic. We have held a press conference with Mayor Turner highlighting the above issues. We had great coverage of our effort by Houston Chronicle which also highlighted the Asian American contributions. We have held an award ceremony honoring the two heroes who intervened when an Asian American family in Midland, Texas was attacked with a knife due to the growing anti-Asian sentiment. We have held a virtual panel discussion with 6 distinguished panelists which was attended by an audience from multiple states.
As you can see, your donation was put to good use. What we have done has made a significant impact to our frontline heroes, our struggling Asian restaurants and at the same time, we were able to promote a more positive image of Asian Americans to all Houstonians.
Thank you once again for your generous donation! Without you, we would not be able to accomplish what we had accomplished!
Mayor Sylvester Turner Kenneth Li Honorary Chair Chair
Peter Chang, M.D., Cecil Fong, Bin Yu, Alice Lee Chi-Mei Lin Co-chairs Treasurer
Rogene Gee Calvert Stephen Chao, Debbie Chen, H.C. Chang HOPE Clinic OCA-Greater Houston
Yvonne Chen, Barbara Gallo, David Peters Asian Camber of Commerce
Nancy Chen Global Federa on of Chinese Business Women - Southern USA
Steven Pei, Helen Shih Alice Chen United Chinese Americans Council Member, City of Stafford
Judy Jeng Joint Chinese College Alumni Associa on
Brian Liu Gordon Quan Gene Wu C.A.R.E. Quan Law Group State Representa ve, Texas
Steering Commi ee Asian Americans Salute Frontline Heroes
ASIAN AMERICANS SALUTE FRONTLINE HEROES IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL NURSES WEEK Asian American organizations and communities in Greater Houston launches “Asian Americans Salute Frontline Heroes” Campaign to deliver 15,000 meals to Houston’s frst responders and frontline healthcare workers.
Honorary Chair: Mayor Sylvester Turner #TakeUsToYourTable Scan this QR code to check the list of participating restaurants: Chair: Kenneth Li, Southwest Management District Co-chairs: Peter Chang, MD., Asian American Health Coalition; Cecil Fong, OCA-Houston; Bin Yu, Asian Chamber of Commerce Alice Lee, Chinese American Citizen Alliance Treasurer: Chi-mei Lin, Chinese Community Center www.ccchouston.org SPONSORED CONTENT Salute Asian American Heroes Houston’s Asian American community has many outstanding individuals with an exceptional work ethic, a willingness to quickly adapt in an unprecedented situation and a compassion for the people they serve. With May as Asian American Heritage Month, Houston’s Asian Chamber of Commerce along with many organizations salute all Unsung Asian American heroes in our community for the work they have done allowing us to stand together as one facing the challenge of COVID-19.
he following seven and were following PPE shuttered, principal of HISD’s With the help of her husband individuals are a sample procedures,” said Dr. Ding. Mandarin Immersion Magnet via text messages, she found her way home by 3:00 am. T of the 1000’s of Asian There were not enough N95 School, Chung Ying, had to When she feels discouraged, Americans whose tireless efforts masks, this added to the fear quickly transform his school she reminds herself she is during the crisis saved lives and and confusion. The community from in person learning to doing what needs to be done kept Houston strong. heard the pleas from medical on-line learning platforms. “My for others. She also fnds workers and stepped in with job was to insure we to deliver strength through prayer and masks. “It made me very proud instruction continue for our knowing she was fully prepared, and courageous when the students,” said Mr. Ying. The trained, and ready to fll the community started donating transformation required 12-13 responsibilities of her job during masks,” said Dr. Ding hour work days for him and his staff. this crisis. Dr. Ding loves the spacious Leann loves being able to feeling of living in Houston. She Mr. Ying’s greatest challenge fnd almost any kind of food feels free to express herself and was managing the diffcult Police Department. Gaw in Houston. She loves Texas; be heard as a Texan. She counts emotions of the crisis. “Many oversees a department which a giggle erupts her didactic herself lucky to be part of the e-mails came in with families includes police offcers and speech as she reminisces about American tradition of setting in distress, economically, administrative staff. He has watching Western movies as a individual goals and working emotionally, and parents not been with HPD for 26 years. child in China. The countless hard to make them happen. understanding the remote opportunities for Americans are Implementing social She came to the US from China learning process. “We read what makes her proud to be Y. Ping Sun J.D., Rice distancing practices with a as a college student. countless e-mails and listened University Representative, profession that requires close to their hardships,” said Mr. an American. Of Counsel at Yetter Coleman proximity to the people they Ying. He remained steadfast serve was a challenge. In his and focused. The emotional Affectionately known as the position, he helped facilitate the needs of families were routed First Lady of Rice University, use of PPE items such as, facial to the school social worker Y. Ping Sun J.D., wife of Rice SPONSORED CONTENT masks, goggles and gloves who directed families to University President, David to protect the public and the resources in the community for W Leebron and of counsel at police offcers. unemployment support and Yetter Coleman was recruited counseling services. to bring her leadership roles in The crisis brought over 600 When $3 Million Plus Matters philanthropy and her expertise reports of offcers who had His joy during this crisis as a lawyer to serve on The possible contact with the virus. has been checking in on his Greater Houston Covid-19 “I usually heard about it within students in their classrooms. “I Recovery Fund set up by United an hour and the leadership have two computers and while AsianAmericans Contribute Way Greater Houston. Through cadre made quick decisions I am attending a meeting on her input on the recovery on how to proceed. As of right Donna Chang, CEO of Hope one, I monitor my students and fund many people in Houston now, only 41 offcers have Biosciences staff on the other. I am able to sian American or- Amy and Brian Liu teenage sib- were provided needed help tested positive for COVID-19. mute my meeting and then pop ganizations from the lings knew they had to do some- Hope Biosciences, CEO, in a timely manner. “I was very We are really blessed, we have in and see their smiling faces. It Houston area col- thing to help, so they began Donna Chang gained honored to be part of the team. not lost a single offcer to the helps keep my spirits up and it lected 1,690,357 researching how to get surgical virus,” shared Gaw. FDA approval for stem cell helps them to see me working Apieces of Personal Protective masks. They studied and com- We worked together for the clinical trials as treatment best solutions as to where the as their principal,” said Chung. Charles Chang, MSN,RN, Equipment for Houston’s front- pared vendors to secure the best Throughout the evolving and prevention options for funds should go,” commented AGACNP-BC St Baylor Luke’s line workers. From ordinary lives quality masks they could fnd. crisis with heavier demands COVID-19. Putting through Chung has been a Houston Y. Ping Sun. Medical Hospital to joining the supply and distri- Once they had the masks, they on his time, Gaw found his the request required a resident since 1995. He loves bution chain there was much to set out on foot delivering them Ping is also active through encouragement, strength, relentless spirit of hope and the cultural richness of Houston. Turning adult bodies from be learned and accomplished. to their neighbors at no cost. her board work with Texas and hope from his family, the determination, “It’s a new He compares his home town of resting on their back to a face- On their journey to support the After two days of walking, they Children’s Hospital and Teach citizens of the community and disease and there is no previous Taipei, Taiwan to the friendly, down position doesn’t seem COVID-19 efforts, 69 different decided to hold a mask stand on For America, helping children particularly from his offcers. evidence to indicate stem cells welcoming people of Texas. His like a big deal, till you talk groups used their tenacity and a busy corner of their neighbor- and students deal with “My family encouraged me to would help,” said Donna. As most treasured part of being in with Charles Chang, a critical Covid-19 related issues. Ping keep going and just being with a bio-scientist in stem cell the USA is being able to work care nurse working in the ICU dedication to fnd as much of the hood giving away the remainder has personally donated N-95 my offcers gave me courage research she could have closed hard and achieve. “I had never at Baylor St Luke’s Medical best available PPE. Often they of their masks. masks to the hospitals in Texas and strength,” said Gaw. the offce and worked remotely thought I could become a Center during the crisis. Most used their personal contacts out- Houston’s Asian Americans school principal, yet here I am!” side of the US to procure items. Medical Center and connected Henry Gaw born in Houston, without taking on COVID-19. patients with pneumonia can heard the call to support the he exclaimed. them to suppliers of PPE. is proud to be part of a But she felt if there was a lie on their backs even if they The total dollar value of all items COVID-19 crisis and stepped community that offers generous possibility of helping people are intubated. COVID-19 collected and fnancial dona- up to the plate as part of the “But I have done only a little,” $3,000,000. support to everyone. Henry with stem cells and regenerative patients need to be face down tions was over The solution. Some were born in the Ping shares. I am very proud to to provide higher oxygenation 155 loves the caring hearts of the medicine, she had to try. PPE was given to more than United States while others made be part of the Asian American levels. Once the ventilator is organizations including, hospi- people in Texas and he values After the approval, there the trek to becoming a part of community saluting unsung installed it could take 30-60 tals, police departments, frst the American spirit of being and were other hurdles to manage. the American fabric through im- heroes. The frontline heroes are minutes to turn a patient. ers and private individuals. Dur- doing whatever it is you dream. For instance, PPE was not responders, city governments, migration. Living the American really taking care of all of us to 1.7M PPE Items ing the peak of their sewing fren- available and her team could “Sometimes it would take and other facilities with essen- dream, pursuing goals, building make our community safe, the zy her staff worked from home, not go forward with clinical trials fve staff members to turn a tial workers. The youngest team wealth, attending worship servic- doctors and nurses and the frst some staff clocked in 118 hours without PPE, she found the patient,” said Chang. The members added touches of love es, raising their families, and all responders and many others.” 179 Recipients a week. PPE. Next Donna and her team patient is connected to many and color with cheerful drawings other typical American behaviors Due to the pandemic, her reached out to their ongoing medical items including IV’s, attached to boxes of PPE that Noel Huang and Leo Cai brain- were the daily routines of Asian own personal life was brimming clients who were willing to the ventilator, and other were delivered. stormed how they could best Americans when the crisis struck with extra work providing meals “Stay Safe come in and be part of the monitoring devices which help during the crisis and formed all of us. Naturally, they followed for a family of six, caring for research. Because what she means a carefully calculated Houstonians!” Houston Asian Volunteers. With the generous, community spirit her mother who lives with her, Dr Leann Liu, Deputy was doing had not been done team effort is needed to keep the non-proft as a framework, of giving just like all other Ameri- providing love and support to before, she questioned herself Manager, Harris County the patient and staff safe. they reached out to fellow Asian two college age children and a cans in lending their support to daily, “Was it safe to have my Public Health “What can I really do to help?” Americans who began fnding friend who were on lockdown, Chang worked in a COVID-19 the COVID-19 crisis. team come to work during the Dr Leann Liu, Deputy was on the mind of Houston’s suppliers of PPE from around and her husband’s intense ICU for one solid month during crisis, was it safe to have clients Manager of Surveillance own fashion designer Chloe the globe. The PPE was distrib- schedule with a shuttered the peak of the crisis. After come in, was it safe for my and Epidemiology with the Dao. A story on NPR inspired uted at participating restaurants University to run from home. work, he went straight home Dr. Lin Ding, Emergency family?” Donna explained, “It Harris County Public health her to use her studio as a pro- where individuals and represent- If she felt she couldn’t go on, and decontaminated. Room Physician, Signature was an emotional roller coaster. department led her team duction zone for cloth masks to atives of organizations came to she didn’t let it stop her, It felt a lot like right after I gave Care ER of frontline, contact tracers “It was hard to go home by give away. She used her supplies pick up the much-needed sup- “When I feel overwhelmed, birth to my twin boys.” It was for COVID-19 from it’s onset myself, we were all scared. My and paid her staff as they cut and I try not to show it. I exercise Working in ER medicine plies. “We are locals helping lo- her faith and her team’s faith in Harris county. Her offce coworkers and I gave each every day even if it’s at different for 11 years Dr. Lin Ding was stitched at least 1000’s of masks cals, we wanted to do our part,” that kept the research on target. received the frst reported other support and my friends times and I take time to on the frontlines on day one that were given to frst respond- said Noel Huang. Born in Korea, Donna came to cases of individuals who tested called me after work. Their breath,” Ping shared. of the COVID-19 crisis. She positive for COVID-19. Under friendship helped during the recalls panic throughout the the United States as a child with Ping loves the spirit of giving her family. She loves the people her direction, they went to hardest days,” shared Charles. emergency room in Mid-March. PATICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS BENEFICIAL ORGANIZATIONS and generosity in Houston of Houston and the “Can Do” work validating the cases, Some days the hospital “Our ER numbers surged. We and felt very welcomed when attitude of Texas. She is thankful tracing who they were, how Chaplain would come to the had many patients coming A Million Hearts COVID-19 Support Fund HOSPITALS: 54 CLINICS: 25 Houston Police Department she frst arrived in Houston 16 to be a part of our national they contracted the virus, who foor and offer prayer for each Downtown patrol in with respiratory problems. America ShanXi Development Association Baylor College of Medicine Greater Houston Psychiatric years ago. She came to the spirit of freedom and living the had they been in contact with, nurse which was another source Anhui Assocaiton of Texas Baylor University Medical Center Associates Houston Police Department Midwest We were scared, it was a new United States from China as “American dream”. and informing them of isolation of strength for Charles during Ascend Houston Dallas Healthcare for the Homeless Houston Police Offcers’ Union virus and not much was known Houston a college student. A smile as procedures. his intense month-long service Asian American Youth Giving Circle Ben Taub Houston police Southwest substation about it. We were afraid for our Hillcroft Medical Clinic huge as Texas lit up on her as a COVID-19 ICU nurse. Asian Americans Salute Frontline Heroes Center for Women’s Health Jefferson County EOC patients and ourselves in the From that frst case with 10 Asian Chamber of Commerce (ACC) CHI St. Luke’s Health - Springwood Houston Healthcare Kingwood Juvenile Processing Unit face when she was asked, what beginning. But it is our duty to members on her team, she When learns one of his Beauty Depot Village Houston Methodist hospital Midwest station she loves most about Texas. care for our patients so we just had very little time to think patients has recovered Blossom Hotel Texas Medical Center CHI St. Luke’s Health - Woodlands neurology team Missouri City Police Department Her response, “The people of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic - 24 Location kept treating them even though about herself. “We have been from COVID-19, he was left Cantonest in Houston wechat group CHI St. Luke’s Health - Sugar Land Southwest Management District course and everything is huge speechless. “It’s a feeling that Chinese American Civic Action Alliance CHI St. Luke’s Health - Maxim Healthcare Service Stafford Fire Department we were afraid,” Dr. Ding growing and developing and Anesthesiology in Texas.” She loves America Chinese American Coalition (Sino Professional Association) MD Anderson medical center post Surgar Land Fire Department shared. now there are about 50 people words just can’t describe. I’m CHI St. Luke’s Health - Medical anesthesia care unit for the freedom and the help Chinese Association of Professional in Science and Technology Surgar Land Police Department on the team. I don’t stop to happy and glad to learn when Center MD Anderson West Houston Americans give to those who Initially there were no standard Chinese Civic Center worry about me, I just keep one of my patients recovers,” CHI. St Luke’s Health - Perland Procedure team SENIOR LIVING: 9 are in need. protocol for dealing with Chinese Woman Happiness Reader’s Club going,” said Dr Liu. said Charles. Cypress Chinese Community Clear Lake Emergency Center Methodist Sugarland Hospital Atria Sugar Land suspected COVID-19 patients. Anesthesia team Henry Gaw, Assistant Chief Dao Chloe Dao Conroe Healthcare Center Caydance Assisted Living & Memory So, hospital administrators The staff report daily at 8:00 Charles loves the diversity of North Texas Kidney Disease of Police, Houston Police David Du Foundation Department of Anesthesiology Care am and some nights did not people found in Houston. He Uthealth Associates called daily meetings with the Fo Guang Shan Chung Mei Temple Houston Cinco Ranch Alzheimer’s Special Department Encompass Health SL Rehabilitation Oakmont of katy medical teams to develop leave till after midnight. One loves the carefree lifestyle of Fujian Association of Southern USA Care Center Hospital Rehabcare “The offcers of the Houston and implement procedures such night, Leann found herself Texans. He is from Taiwan and Greater Houston Jiangsu Association Colonia senior care Chung Ying, School Principal, Harris Health System Sound Medical Clinic Police Department and the for treatment of suspected lost in Houston due to a road what he loves about the USA is Henan Fellowship Association of Southern USA Emergi Care 281-461-1111 Madarin Immersion Magnet HCA Healthcare - Clearlake SUN Behavioral citizens of the community COVID-19 patients. “Our own closure. Her GPS had directed the feeling of pride in being an Houston Asian Volunteers (HVA) Treemont Retirement Community HCA Healthcare - West Texas Cardiology Associates of School, HISD Houston Chinese Alliance (HCA) Richmond State Supported Living are the true heroes,” said fears as healthcare workers her through unfamiliar territory. American with so many fellow HCA Healthcare - Medical Center Houston Houston Chinese Civil Center (CCC) Facility Henry Gaw, assistant chief started to diminish once we When COVID-19 arrived in She remembers thinking, “I’ll Americans who come from Houston Methodist - ICU TMC Texas Children’s Pediatric Clinic Houston Chinese Community Center Quail Valley Healthcare Center of police with the Houston knew more about the virus Houston and schools were just fnd a hotel and sleep.” around the world. Houston Methodist - Katy Hospital Fannin Houston Chuan Yu Association St Dominc Village Rehabilitation and Houston Methodist - Sugar Land Texas Children’s Pediatric Clinic Katy Houston Hong Kong Association nursing home Houston Methodist - West UT MdD Anderson Cancer center Houston International Culture Center Department of Anesthesiology Houston Methodist - Willowbrook OTHER NONPROFIT: 6 Houston Shanghai Association UT Physicians Kindred Hospital Sugar Land AttackPoverty Houston Tsinghua Alumni Association Welcome Family Medicine Legacy Community Health Hoodies for Healing Foundation Houston Westloop Youth soccer West Houston Division of USAP MD Anderson Ronald McDonald House Houston Zhi Qing Association Willow Fork Alzheimers Special Care Memorial Hermann - Pearland Spanish School Hua Xia Chinese School Center Memorial Hermann - Southwest Houston Food Bank Huaxing Arts Education Center/OAEC Windsor Quail Valley Post-acute Houston Independent School District HuBei Association of Great Houston Memorial Hermann - Cypress Healthcare Center Hunan Club of Houston, Texas Memorial Hermann - Katy XpertMD Hospitalist Group COMPANIES: 5 Memorial Hermann - SouthWest Indus Managment Group BOA (1212 Hwy 6) Inner Mongolia Association Memorial Hermann - Sugar Land LOCAL GOVERNMENT: 38 BOA (17550 W GPW) International Chinese Christrian Business Association Memorial Hermann - SW recovering Bellaire Police/Fire department BOA (5750 NewTerritery) J&H Dance School center City of Houston Kids R Kids J.J. Clemence Volunteer Team Memorial Hermann - Woodlands City of Missouri USPS JiangXi Fellow Association of Houston Memorial TMC /UT Health City of Pearland Joint Chinese College Alumni Association McGovern Medical School City of Sugar Land OUT OF STATE: 18 J-Tech Digital Michael E Debakey Veteran’s City of Stafford Hospital Dr. Steve Massaquoi at Beth Israel Katy Chinese Mom Sewing Team/The Passion Project City’s Gulfton Super Neighborhood Lahey Health Nexus Children’s Hospital Woodland LingLing Soccer Club community Elmhurst Hospital Center, Oak Bend Medical Center - Williams LY Electronics USA Conroe Reiginal Health Center Department of Emergency Medicine Way North Houston Chinese Association Cy-fair Fire Department Elmhurst Hospital Queens Ochsner Medical Center Pandemic Responder District J Councilman Edward Pollard Greater Hudson Valley Health Orange Regional Medical Center Pearland Chinese Association and AYLUS Pearland Fort Bend County System Signature Care Emergency Rooms - Peking University Alumni Association of Houston Nine locations Fort Bend County Constable 3 Ling Liu at RWJ University Hospital Somerset Project Comfort Houston St Dominic Cancer Center Fort Bend County Constable Pct. 5 Long Island State Veterans Home Qingtian Association USA ST Joseph Medical Center, Galveston Area Ambulance Authority Red Fan Dance Group Emergency Room Harris County Maimonides Medical Center - PKU88 Sewa International St. luke’s the Vintage Hospital in Harris County Constable’s Pct. 5 Montefore Medical Center - PKU88 Sun Yat-Sen University Alumni Association in Southern US Northwest Harris County Public Health Saint Barnabas Hospital - PKU88 Talent Academy St. Michael Ellite Emerency Hospital Harris County sheriff county health Sutter Medical Foundation - PKU88 Texas Guangdong Association Sugarland Rehibitation Hospital service Medical director sunder Riverside Community Hospital in Texas Northeast Chinese Association Surgarland Rehabilitation Hospital Harris County Sheriff’s Offce (Jail) Riverside, California The Awesome Fund Texas Children’s Hospital Harris County Sheriff’s Offce Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago Together We are Stronger Coaliation (TWSC) Texas Tech University Health Houston City Council Member Ed Santa Clara - Cancer Treatment United Association of Chinese Alumni in Greater Houston Area Sciences Center Pollard Center US ShangDong Fellowship Association University of Texas Southwestern Houston Fire Department State of Alabama Governor We Care Foundation Medical Center Houston Health Foundation University of Washington, Medicine Woodlands Chinese Community UT health Science center at houston Houston Independent School District University of Michigan Wuhan University Alumni Association of Houston Vincent Hospital at Worcester Houston Northwest Police Department of Radiation Oncology. Zhang Yaowu Art Center West houston Medical Cener department Orange Regional Medical Center, NY Zhejiang Association of Southern USA Westchester Medical Center Houston Police Department University of Illinois Hospital
According to data received by 11:59 pm on May 19, 2020.
Over 2,000 anti-Asian incidents have been reported in the U.S. since the start of COVID-19 pandemic...
Sponsored by Asian Americans Salute Frontline Heroes and supported by following organizations*:
ACLU of Texas Global Federation of Chinese Business Women - Houston Pakistani American Voter Registration Initiative ADL-Southwest Region Greater Houston LGBT Chamber Pakistan Chamber of Commerce AJC Community of Conscience HOME Coalition Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce Texas AJC Houston Holocaust Museum Houston Pilipino American Unity for Progress, Inc., Texas Asia Society Texas Center Houston Area Urban League (UniPro Texas) Asian American Bar Association Houston Coalition Against Hate Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Asian American Health Coalition/HOPE Clinic Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative United Chinese Americans Asian American Youth Giving Circle Houston in Action University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work Asian Chamber of Commerce in Houston Indian Muslims Association of Greater Houston VN TeamWork, Inc. Asian Pacifc American Heritage Assocoiation Indo-American Chamber of Commerce *at time of printing Asian Real Estate Association of America, Houston Chapter Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston BakerRipley Japan America Society of Houston Scan this QR code for Black Lives Matter Houston Japanese American Citizens League - Houston Chapter upcoming anti-hate events BPSOS-HOUSTON Joint Chinese College Alumni Association Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Korean American Voters League Center for the Healing of Racism League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Chinese American Citizens Alliance Houston Lodge Mi Familia Vota Chinese Community Center the Montrose Center Council on American-Islamic Relations-Texas NAACP Houston Branch Daya NALEO Educational Fund EmGage National Diversity Council Empowering Communities Initiative OCA-Greater Houston Filipino American National Historical Society - Houston, Texas Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneur Network https://ccchouston.org/advocacy-award/