Irvine, California – On April 22, 2023, the Xinli Foundation, in partnership with the Orange County Autism Foundation (OC Autism Foundation), hosted the 14th World Autism Awareness Art Exhibition and Gala Night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, California. The event successfully raised over $30,000 for contribution to the Breakfast with Santa event in December 2023, that caters to 5,000 participants from autistic and disabled families in Orange County, and the donation of 1,500 Christmas gifts.
The event was co-sponsored by Peer 1 on 1, Learning Tree Group, Princeton Education, and Ugrow Education, among other organizations. It drew in the attendance of numerous political and business leaders, philanthropists, charitable organizations, and community members. The evening’s activities included dinner, performances, auctions, and charitable donations, providing all participants with a wonderful time while contributing to the cause of autistic children. The event aimed to raise awareness of autism and promote social acceptance and opportunities for autistic children.
Over 80 Asian-American high school volunteers from nine campuses led by Wendy Weng, the principal of Learning Tree Group, Michelle Keung, and Antonio Wu Zheng, participated in organizing, planning, and implementing the event. The students from the Los Angeles area exhibited 102 paintings by autistic children and competition works. The Xinli Foundation aims to provide a high-quality platform for Asian-American students to raise awareness of public welfare, develop leadership skills, broaden their international perspectives, and help more people in need, making valuable contributions to society.
Distinguished guests who graced the event included Dr. Junko Hirakawa, the Political Affairs Officer of the United Nations (UN), Consul-General Lu Junxie of the Chinese Consulate-General in Los Angeles, Consul Zhou Chengyu, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, Arcadia Councilwoman Eileen Wang, Cyril Yu, the trustee of Irvine Unified School District, Ms. Yunjie Li, the general manager of Learning Tree Group, Dr. Vince Rodriguez, the president of Coastline Community College, Mr. Calvin Gong, the founder of Pinnacle Real Estate, and Mr. Frederic Golchen, a Hollywood producer, among others. These guests delivered inspiring speeches that encouraged Asian-American public welfare activities and promoted the idea of “One World, One Love” for autistic children.
Renowned director Wei Sun directed the event, with Olivia Li, Yang Yang, and Eve Xu, the principal of Ugrow Education, as hosts, and Ms. Viki Lang as process support. The auction raised over $30,000, with Pinnacle Real Estate sponsoring $6,000, becoming the exclusive title sponsor of the event. The event was also supported by 14 other Los Angeles-based corporations and organizations. In addition, the first Los Angeles Autism Virtual Art Exhibition, guided by the famous artist Yibai Liao (PD100), was exhibited at the event, and attracted extensive participation from autism care organizations and caring individuals in Hong Kong, Singapore, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other parts of the world during the online and offline activities of World Autism Awareness Day.
In her speech, Wendy Weng, the founder of the Xinli Foundation and the principal of Learning Tree Group, highlighted that autism affects millions of children and their families globally, causing isolation, confusion, and challenges. She cited CDC reports, which indicate that one in 36 8-year-old children is diagnosed with autism, calling for more corporate associations and community members to actively participate in autism public welfare activities and contribute to the needs of the autistic community. She urged everyone to join hands and make a valuable contribution to the public welfare cause, representing Asian-Americans in building public welfare in the United States.
Consul-General Lu Junxie of the Chinese Consulate-General in Los Angeles gave an emotional speech, encouraging Asian-American youth to promote the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation regardless of national boundaries and race. Additionally, Julie Diep, the president of the OC Autism Foundation, gave a moving speech. As an early autistic patient, she deeply felt the courage required to invest in public welfare and the temptation to give up but still persisted. She hoped to advocate for more communities to care for autistic children.
The auction items were donated by various sectors of society and works created by autistic children. The Chinese Consulate-General in Los Angeles donated precious artworks, and well-known artists Yibai Liao, Grace Maeshiro, Zhen Hua, Jennifer Don, Xiaoqi Yuan, and Xuhui Li also donated their excellent works.
In the future, the Xinli Foundation, OC Autism Foundation, and other collaborating organizations will continue to pay attention to the needs of autistic children, actively plan and hold more public welfare activities, increase social awareness and understanding of autism, provide more support for autistic children and their families, and break the barriers of isolation and discrimination, enabling autistic children to find their place in society and realize their potential and value.
Event Organizers:
Xinli Foundation, OC Autism Foundation, Peer 1on1, Princeton Education, Ugrow Education.
Event Sponsor List:
Pinnacle Real Estate, Learning Tree Group, Hu Insurance Agency, Apollo Financial and Insurance Group, Yu Tai Xiang (Wah Oriental Culture Investment Group), US-China Economics Trade and Culture Art Federation, North America Chinese University Alumni Alliance, Harvest Financial Group, World Fashion Exhibition, US Arts & Design Academy Irvine, Supreme Beauty Life, Merano Cultural Performance Inc. PD100, and Lydia Express.
Volunteer Leaders for the Event:
Jiale Zheng, Vicky Wen, Cyndi Yeh, Fiona Fei, Zixuan Zhou, Simon Liu, Bryan Wu, Ivy Jiang, Sally Chow, Yuyan Huang, Yuan Yin, Tianyang Wang, Jiajian Wen, Haokun (Jason) Chen, Jesse Wang, Siya Kong, Jiacheng Zou, Junyan Liu, Ziye (Roxana) Chen, Jimmy Zhao, Jiatai Lin, Zackary Liao, Emily, Thomas Yin, Taising Leung, Leo Li, Tai Guo, Franky Chen, Yixian (Veronica) Huang, and Angelina Qiao.
For more information, please contact:
Xinli Foundation Email: info@xinlifoundation.org Website: www.xinlifoundation.org
Media Contact
Company Name: Xinli Foundation
Contact Person: Antonio WZ
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Country: United States
Website: www.xinlifoundation.org