SPCC GALA 2026


SPCC CHINESE BANQUET GALA

The South Pasadena Chinese-American Club held its 37th annual fundraising gala on Saturday, March 14, at the Hilton San Gabriel. The organization celebrated nearly four decades of working with the city, school district, police and fire departments, chamber of commerce, and local small businesses. 

All the money raised at the gala goes directly to fund the more than $20,000 in grants to the South Pasadena Unified School District, South Pasadena Public Library, South Pasadena Educational Foundation, and Senior Center. Funds also go towards $10,000 in South Pasadena High School scholarships for graduating seniors and awards for high school volunteers. SPCC hosts cultural events such as the Moon Festival and Lunar New Year Senior Luncheon. For more than 30 years, SPCC has partnered with the high school and school district to bring students to China for an educational and cultural exchange trip.

South Pasadena Mayor Sheila Rossi, Assemblyman Mike Fong, and State Senator Sasha Renee Perez each presented a certificate of recognition congratulating SPCC for 37 years of service to the community.

 GALA 2026 PHOTOS
Image of Aerialist Maury Wiederaenders' Fan Dance Performance
Image of our own City Councilperson, AKA DJ Jon Primith, provided his brilliant DJ services to end the night with an hour of fun dancing and brilliant vibes! In the photo, left to right, Shireen Chang (SPCC HSA Winner), Becky Cheng, Janet Braun (City Council), DJ Primith himself, Katrina Faulmino (Senior Center Staff), and Sara Kung
Photo of Assemblyperson Mike Fong, District 49, presenting SPCC Board Members with a Certificate of Recognition. In the photo, left to right, Treasurer Amelia Fong, Recording Secretary Hongtao Liu, Suzette Lee-Shults, Assemblyperson Mike Fong, President Yuki Cutcheon, Grace Kung, Emily Lau, and Charley Lu.
Image of SPCC Board of Directors 2026 - an all volunteer board
Image of Kong’s Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association from Monterey Park performing the Lion Dance throughout the venue.
In the photo, left to right, SPUSD School Board Member Dr Patricia Martinez-Miller, SPUSD Superintendent of Schools Dr Angela Elizondo Baxter, and SPUSD Administrator of Programs & Personnel Services Katy Nielsen.
Image of South Pasadena Mayor Sheila Rossi and State Senator Sasha Renee Perez District 25 presented SPCC with a Certificate of Recognition. In the photo, left to right, City Councilperson Michael Cacciotti, City Councilperson Janet Braun, Mayor Sheila Rossi, State Senator Sasha Renee Perez, SPCC HSA Winner Shireen Chang, City Councilperson Omari Ferguson, SPCC President Yuki Cutcheon, Connie Kwok, City Councilperson Jon Primuth and Charley Lu.
In the photo, left to right, Kristine Kwong PCC Trustee for South Pasadena & San Marino & Temple City with SPCC VP of Cultural Activities Julie Wong
Image of SPCC President's table of friends! In the photo, left to right, Front Row: Pearl Bryant, SPHS Assistant Principal Chad Bryant, Jennifer Mok, Hui Ding, Daphni Liu; Back Row: SPCC President Yuki Cutcheon, John Au, Dean Serwin, Lynn Serwin, Dana Abelson and Larry Abelson.
Image of Assemblyperson Mike Fong, District 49, presenting a Certificate of Recognition to Shireen Chang Former SPCC President and long time board member and Carolyn Hah SPCC VP of Education. Shireen and Carolyn are the inaugural honorees of the SPCC Honorary Service Awards (HSA). Amelia Fong, SPCC Treasurer, was also honored by Assemblyperson Mike Fong for her 31 years of service to the State of California.
Image of brilliant MCs for the evening, Tappan Zee and Katy Nielsen.
In the photo, left to right, Bottom Row: Katrina Ferguson, City Treasurer Zhen Tao, Mayor Sheila Rossi, Steve Rossi; Top Row: City Councilperson Omari Ferguson, Michael Ramali from East West Bank, Raven Guo from East West Bank, Suli Su East West Bank South Pasadena Vice President Branch Manager, Kevin Wang from East West Bank, and Linda Zhao from East West Bank.
In the photo, left to right, Dave Lubs Assistant Superintendent Business Services, Dr Angela Elizondo Baxter Superintendent of Schools, Dr Michele Kipke SPUSD School Board Member, Karen Tamis SPUSD School Board Member, Katy Nielsen Administrator of Programs & Personnel Services, Chad Bryant SPHS Assistant Principal, (in front of Chad) Dr Patricia Martinez-Miller SPUSD School Board Member, Christiane Gervais Associate Superintendent of Instructional Services, (seated in front of Christiane) Jason Gervais, (behind Jason) Karissa Adams SPUSD School Board Member, and Kent Baxter.
In the photo, left to right, Bottow Row: City Councilperson Janet Braun, City Councilperson Jon Primuth, Sunny Chen President & CEO of Sunny International Exchange Inc; Top Row: City Councilperson Michael Cacciotti, Hyewon Lee, SPEF President Rob Clyde, Marline Erickson, Avery Clyde, Karin Primuth.
In the photo, left to right, Bottow Row: Tim Cheadle, Chris Borkgren SPMS Special Education Teacher, Nancy Goldstein Executive Director of Student Support Services, and Noelle Fong Marengo Elementary School Principal. Top Row: John Eldred SPHS Principal, Patty Cheadle Coordinator of Curriculum & Testing, Judy Correnti Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Katy Nielsen Administrator of Programs & Personnel Services, Jessica Zavala Monterey Hills Elementary School Principal, Emily Blanen Arroyo Vista Elementary School Principal.

HONORARY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS

SPCC hosted its first-ever Honorary Service Awards (HSA) to acknowledge members of our community who have gone above and beyond in their service to the club. Our first recipient of this distinguished award is Shireen Chang. A former SPCC board member and past president, Shireen can still be counted on to support SPCC events, jumping in to help with whatever is needed and rallying others for donations. Each year, Shireen volunteers at the Lunar New Year Senior Luncheon by helping organize entertainment, making red envelopes for all the seniors, and assisting throughout the luncheon. SPCC is grateful for Shireen and all that she has done for the club and continues to do. 
 
SPCC’s second HSA honoree is Carolyn Hah, our VP of Education. Carolyn has dedicated countless hours to our after school Mandarin Language Program. In addition to hiring and training the teachers, she teaches and volunteers constantly in the program. Her commitment to creating a positive experience for each student has led to the program’s success and expansion. Carolyn also works with the Dual Immersion program at Marengo to ensure SPCC is a supportive element. Carolyn never seeks any recognition, but SPCC is proud of everything she has done and thankful for her invaluable contributions. 

 

Image of HSA winners Carolyn Hah (3rd from left) and Shireen Chang (5th from left) with SPCC board members

HSA winners Carolyn Hah (3rd from left) and Shireen Chang (5th from left) with SPCC board members

 

SPONSOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to everyone who sponsored the SPCC Gala 2026! Your support is a vital part of SPCC.

PLATINUM SPONSOR 

Zee Family Foundation

GOLD SPONSORS

SPiCCy Mamas Margaret Lee
Jon and Karin Primuth John Au and Yuki Cutcheon

VIP SPONSORS

Janet Braun Kristine Kwong, PCC Trustee
East West Bank South Pasadena  

TABLE SPONSOR

Athens Services Emily Lau, Little Bra Company
Carolyn Hah Sulynn Chee 
Amelia and Victor Fong Charley Lau
Suzette Lee-Shults and Dennis Shults  

GALA GIVEAWAY GIFT SPONSOR

Lee Kum Kee

VIP ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

A very special THANK YOU to musician Maile Plan and magician Michael Lee for supporting SPCC and donating their amazing talents for the 2026 Gala!

SILENT AUCTION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Adventure City

Andy Lippman

Albert Kwong

A Noise Within

Aquarium of the Pacific

Brookside Golf Club

Costco

Denis Kwok

Gorjana

Huntington Library

In-N-Out Burger

James Goh

Jeanne Wong 

Joe Loo 

Jones Coffee Roasters

Julie Wong

Kendra Scott

LA Phil

Lee Kum Kee

Malinda & Scott Vargas

Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta

Massage Envy

Pacific Park

Pasadena Eyecare Optometry

Pasadena Playhouse

Peitty Chou

Starbucks

SPCC Mahjong Committee

SPHS Boosters

Sulynn Chee

Tappan & Kaitlyn Zee

Target

Tina Aughinbaugh

That Peking Duck Guy 

The Broad

The Daily

Twohey’s Restaurant 

USS Midway

Victor & Amelia Fong

Yuki Cutcheon & John Au

38 Degrees Ale House & Grill

626 Village 

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