AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
FREMONT, CA
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It Was a Starry and Sensational Night
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| Gene Wang, in the middle, poses with the amazing People Power Band he put together to allow guests to dance all night. |
The warm and happy spirit of the dancers; the dynamite food on appetizer table and hors d’oeuvres that were passed around; the excellence of the band, music and singers; the brilliant decor that made the Senior Center magical all contributed to a fabulous night of revelry for over 120 branch members and their guests.
People of all ages attended the party and danced together, from children of band members and guests to teenagers who were helping out to adults and seniors. All danced, cavorted and had a great time together.
There was a full house and, aside from the gala feeling that was generated, it was also good to know that since the evening was dedicated to fund raising for several important AAUW causes, the success of the fundraiser meant more girls could attend Tech Trek and more dollars would flow toward educational programs for girls and women.
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| Randy is here with the teenage helpers who guided folks through the celebrity game. The winners won a little prize. |
(We recently ran an article that tells a little more about Gene and his band).
The band started the evening off with their rendition of Vincent (the proper name of the song Starry Starry Night dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh) and played over 35 numbers that spanned the gamut of big band music, rock'n'roll, and Latin favorites. Sally Wang, Gene’s 14-year-old daughter, sang five numbers and all the children in the audience were enlisted to sing Frosty the Snowman in honor of the holiday season.
Carol Goedde, Mary Lynn Pelican’s twin sister, instructed a string of volunteers in several line dances and there was also a spirited dance floor class in the macarena.
The food for the evening was delicious and plentiful. Lourdes Colon put together a groaning board of appetizers and caterer Chef Aidan Ocampo of Bijou Restaurant and Bar in Hayward kept the hors d’oeuvres flowing at our table. Helping serve and doing dozens of other duties were a number of high school students who, at the same time, were earning community service points. The Branch’s Karen McCready was in charge of recruiting the students, assigning tasks for them and making certain they ate dinner (pizza).
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| Helen Yu presents winning guest Jason Thai with the raffle prize, the wonderful IPad2 donated by Gene Wang and his wife. |
The fundraiser dance brought in over $1,000 from ticket sales (after expenses were accounted for) and some $8,000 in sponsorships. What a splendid result -- congratulations to all!
It takes so many people to put such an ambitious program together. Co-Presidents Helen Yu and Jo Szeto thanked the slew of volunteers who made the evening possible and so successful.
First and foremost individual to thank was talented bandleader and business executive Gene Wang. He donated the services of the band because, as he says, he loves to see people have a good time. Also, he adds, he wanted to do something for his mom Jo “because she’s the best mom in the world.”
“I was so impressed,” said Helen, “with how the whole team worked flawlessly together. Everyone just knew what to do to make this a special night for guests. I was exceptionally proud of our team and the difference they made for a great cause.”
Starry, Starry Night could be the start of a wonderful annual holiday tradition for AAUW Fremont Branch!
Click Here to see pictures of the Fremont Branch's Starry, Starry Night Gala and Party.
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