2005 Hmong Cultural Center Fundraising Banquet

The 2005 Hmong Cultural Center fundraising banquet held at FoodSmart Restaurant in Saint Paul on
Sunday, October 23 was a great success. Almost $5,000 was raised to support the cultural education
programs (Qeej, Dance, and Marriage and Funeral Ceremony Instruction) at Hmong Cultural Center in
2006!

Individual Financial Contributors to the 2005 Hmong Cultural Center Fundraising Banquet included:

Kazoua Kong-Thao and Chang M. Thao
Mark Thompson
Dr. Mark E. Pfeifer
Wangsue and Yangmeelo Lee
Lipei Xiong/See Vang
Sau Xiong
Tou Sue Lee
Kyoung Ah Nam
Fong Lor and Nao Thao
Yuki Watable
Lao Lee
Daobay Ly
Kao Neng Lee and Ay Vue
Letitia Basford
Dr. Dan Detzner
Ray Murray
Dr. Gale Mason Chagil/Emiliano Chagil
Tim and Meg Dornfeld
Dao Xiong
Dr. Gerald Fry
Dr. Rosemary Park
Mo Chang and Chou Chang
Dr. Dia Cha
Charlotte Knoche
Sally Baas
Kaoru Adachi
Thai Vang
Nealcheng X. Thao
Mary Nichols
Xai Savang Lor
Dr. Donald W. Kodluboy and Colleen Kodluboy
Maydeu Ly
Steven Yang and Family
Sean S. Lee and Family
Txong Pao Lee and Family
Merrilyn Yang
Nicole Ly
Kim M. Dettmer
Toua Vang
Ben Lee
Bee Lee
Tou Thao
Thao Lee
Mee Lee
Dr. Cziasharh N. Yang
Shoua and Kao Yang
Shoua and Toua Lee
Tha Ying Xiong
Dr. Bic Ngo
Ia Xiong
Dr. Linda Gerdner
Dr. Julie Keown-Bomar
Halee Vang
Foung Heu
Ron Mazurowski

Corporate and Organizational Supporters of the 2005 Hmong Cultural Center Fundraising
Banquet included:

Chia Vang Consulting
Great American Mortgage
University Bank
Paul's Tire and Service
Asian Home Care
Asian Supermarket
Golden Harvest Supermarket
Southeast Asian Council
Ready4K
2005 Hmong Cultural Center Fundraising
Banquet Photos
Hmong Cultural Center's talented Qeej Troupe entertains the banquet audience
Hmong Cultural Center's Dance Troupe performs for the Banquet attendees.
May Der Ly addresses the audience about her experiences working with Hmong
refugees at Wat Tham Krabok in Thailand.
Hmong Cultural Center's Board of Directors - From left to right - Shoua Moua, Khue
Yang, Sean Lee, Dr. Gerald Fry, Dr. Gale Mason-Chagil, and Dao Xiong - are
introduced to the audience by Hmong Cultural Center staff Txong Pao Lee and Mark E.
Pfeifer on stage.
Hmong Cultural Center's Cultural Specialist Tougeu Leepalao (third from right) and
former 18 Clan Cultural Council head Xiong Pao Lee (third from left) listen to speakers
at the banquet. Both men were co-founders of the center in 1992.
As part of the event, the Hmong Cultural Center honored the special achievements of
two members of the youth Qeej program (left) and the Adult ESL program (right).
Several members of the Hmong Cultural Center board of directors are in the back row
with HCC Executive Director Txong Pao Lee on stage.
Banquet attendees including Tougeu Leepalao (far left) and Xiong Pao Lee (second to
the left) enjoy the fine selection of food provided by FoodSmart restaurant in Saint Paul.
Keynote speaker Professor Zha Blong Xiong of the University of the Minnesota
addresses the crowd on the importance of biculturalism (a strong grounding in Hmong
culture as well as strong educational preparation in English) in promoting healthy and
positive youth development in the Hmong community.