PROFESSOR GARY: STUDENT OF LIFE

didn’t know much about George then but I know all I ever need to know about him.” Gary calls his camp and volunteering experience a gift. “I may no longer be teaching but these kids and CSC members continue to teach me about the human condition for good.”

~ � At CSCNACC, we strive to bring forth the supporting hands of all � 1

CSCNA CHARITY CORPS Summer Camp Special Edition March 2017

“As far as I can remember, Gary is committed to everything he does. After one of our first dates, he said he wanted to marry me and he did. He said he’d come to America for me and he’s done so [sacrificing his own career in the process] with humility and loving support for our life here,” said Shiao Chuan. It’s Gary Kao’s first camp and he doesn’t have a specific role or responsibility. “On the first day, I observe and try to find where I am needed. And so I followed George Leung, Sr. During meetings, I rarely heard George speak. So when the campers went rock climbing, George realizes that none of the children brought water. And under the hot sun, George decided to bring water for the children to and from the canteen. Bear in mind there are about 50+ kids, and so with each trip we carry a 5-gallon barrel of water. I

What did you like about CSC Camp? I liked the bungee jumping, the rock climbing. I liked going down waterslides, and paddling up and down the lake. The morning exercises were fun too. Were these activities you had done before? I was scared when I first saw the rock-climbing wall. But then I wasn’t scared because there was someone to teach us how to climb and everyone else did it. What was your favorite activity? The watermelon-eating contest. What would you tell other boys and girls your age about CSC Camp? There are lots of activities! But there weren’t any S’mores by the campfire.

Miranda “Mira” Cheng is not your normal 10-year-old fourth grader. She greets me with maturity beyond her years and yet speaks with the sweetness of a child. Before the interview, I prefaced the purpose of this newsletter, explaining that sharing her experience may help other kids gain the opportunity to go to CSC Camp. Mira abruptly chides her mother for trying to give her quotable responses. “Mom this is MY interview! I know how to answer,” she says. I smile and try to hold my laughter.

MIRA: FUTURE MELON-EATING CHAMP

~ � At CSCNACC, we strive to empower the disadvantaged �

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~ � At CSCNACC, we strive to light up the hope of life �

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“We grew up poor. We grew up in Chinatown. We went to school in Chinatown. We got our first jobs in Chinatown.” “I got to try new things at CSC Camp that I had never done before. I remember waking up and having to do Tai Chi. I thought it was for seniors but I actually enjoyed it. It was meditative and I felt relaxed afterwards,” said Jason.

“At CSC, we many camp counselors. “I look back and I’m inspired. The same experiences I had as a kid, other kids are having again.” “We didn’t have a lot [growing up] but we had organizations like CSC and ISS that offered community and we hope Soft Swerve becomes another Chinatown community area for young people.”

It is 11 a.m. on a cold January morning and Michael Tsang and Jason Wu are two hours into completing a checklist of to-dos before another opening. Jason is preparing a batch of green tea ice cream. Michael is checking inventory. As co-owners of Soft Swerve Ice Cream in New York’s Chinatown, they are grateful for their opportunities, including fond memories of attending CSC Camp.

MIKEY AND JASON’S NEW ADVENTURE“At CSC, we were divided up and bunched into different teams. We played games and did assignments together. Depending on the night, each team had to cook for the rest of the camp. I had never been part of a team until then,” said Michael. This past summer, Michael returned not as a camper but volunteered as one of

83 teams formed 1,920 hours of bonding 10,800 meals served

~ � At CSCNACC, we strive to pass on the gift of love �

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CREATING IMPACT SINCE 1996

WHAT’S YOUR IMPACT?CSCNACC administers grants to charitable programs.

Consider making a donation in support of our major initiatives for 2017:

New York City Senior Services (US)

Chinese Marriage Encounter (China)

New York City Chinatown Youth Summer Camp (US)

Dandelion Charity Scholarship (China & US)

Vocational Training Center for Special Needs Adults (China)

“Firemark” Chinese Youth Ministry (US)

At-Risk Youth Service Center (Taiwan)

Free Eye Care for The Needy (Taiwan)

EPI Microfinance for Rural Farmers (China)

Support for the Religious and Lay Apostolate (China, Taiwan & US)

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For more info: Visit: www.cscnacc.org Email: cscnacc@yahoo.com

Send check donations to: CSCNACC P.O. Box 1055 Cupertino, CA 95015

360 campers sponsored 600 lives changed 0 S’mores eaten L