OCA-DC at the Fiesta Asia Festival

May 26, 2009

Stan Lou
OCA-DC Co-President

The Greater Washington DC Chapter of OCA participated in the festival in the shadow of the Nation’s Capital Building on Saturday, May 16.  The main reason for its presence was to show its support for the area’s Asian American community in this celebration of our diversity during Asian Pacific American Heritage month.  The Asia Heritage Foundation organized the three-blocks street festival that featured two performing stages, ongoing events on the street, a colorful parade of various Asian costumed marchers, merchandise and food vendors, and community advocacy groups that highlighted the diversity of the Asian American community in Washington.
The OCA-DC booth was staffed with over a dozen volunteers from the chapter for the full day.  The good weather held out long enough for the booth to greet a huge number of visitors who were among the thousands who enjoyed the festival.  It was an opportunity to demonstrate OCA’s commitment of dedication to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of our community.  The volunteers talked with visitors, explaining the mission and passing out literature about the national and local chapter OCA and about issues that concern Asian America, such as Census 2010.  They highlighted the ongoing programs, especially those focusing on college students and young professionals that are designed to improve the capabilities of our next generation to become visible leaders in their future business, political, and personal careers.  They also gave out free raffle tickets for three separate drawings for dinners for two at Seven Seas Restaurant in Rockville, MD.  The volunteers all enjoyed themselves in connecting with others who share our concern for improving the quality of life in our community.  Co-Presidents Stan Tsai and Stan Lou were present for the full day and indicated that they will plan for the chapter to always support the Asia Heritage Foundation at this festival in coming years.