Bettors Believe It
The event: Casino Night in New Orleans, a Cajun-flavored dinner followed by games of chance Saturday at Remick’s in Irvine. Orangewood Children’s Foundation was the beneficiary of the casino gala, staged by the Young Generation of Asian Professionals.
High rollers: More than 200 party-goers tried their luck at casino tables throughout Remick’s, which could pass for a mansion in the Big Easy’s garden district. When they weren’t spinning the roulette wheel or trying to beat the dealer at blackjack, guests enjoyed a buffet of Cajun offerings that included hush puppies, crab cakes, popcorn shrimp with dirty rice and alligator. “It’s better to taste the alligator before he tastes you,” said a waiter, encouraging YGAP board member Daniel Wong to sample an alligator hors d’oeuvre. Wong liked gator so much that he went for seconds.
Generation Y: YGAP has about 150 members, most Asian American professionals ages 21 to 45. The Irvine-based group holds a variety of mixers, round-table discussions and fund-raisers. Members have supported the St. Joseph Ballet; Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches, which matches bone-marrow donors with recipients; the House of Hope shelter for the homeless; and a Thanksgiving food drive.
Quote: “Some of our members are recent immigrants. We’re hoping to help them make the transition into the community by providing opportunities for networking and a lot of mixers,” said Duane Lee, YGAP board president.
Bottom line: The $40-per-person Casino Night was expected to net about $10,000 for Orangewood Children’s Foundation, which supports the Orangewood Children’s Home for abused and neglected children. Part of the proceeds will go toward a college scholarship fund for Asian American former residents of Orangewood.
Players: June Lin, event chairwoman; Gene Howard, executive director of Orangewood; Henry Young; Christine Sun; Dowling Tsai; Jacklyn Shih; Theresa Li; Lynn Chang; John Cheng; Sue Ling Lai; Him Man Leung; Cheryl O’Toole; and Margaret Peng.
What’s ahead: For information about upcoming YGAP events, call (714) 279-9494.