Summary 2008

WMFAA held its 18th Christmas Party last December 6, 2008 at Hilton Hotel in 28th St, Grand Rapids, MI. Members and guests as far as Big Rapids, Grand Haven, Holland, Lake City, Mount Pleasant, Muskegon and Zeeland braved the weather to celebrate this annual gathering with one another.

Looking back the hands of time, year 2008 has brought a lot of changes to our organization. We had started different activities and continued the existing ones. We had introduced the “Fund from the Heart”, “Beauty for a Cause” and “Bowl for a Cause” to name a few. The monies generated from these programs helped the association to fund the activities that are meant to benefit the general membership and not the chosen few.

WMFAA joined the Cutlerville Day’s Parade and the Kentwood July 4th parade to gain visibility in our community. I remember meeting a judge in one of this parade stating, “I always known that there is a 'Chinese-American Association' here in greater Grand Rapids, but I never knew that there is a Filipino-American organization here”. During the parade, we received a lot of “ohs and ahhs” admiring how lovely and gorgeous are our “Beauty for a Cause” participants.

We ratified our Constitution and by-laws, we revived our website, our newsletter is now being distributed quarterly and we have acquired new members and gained back the old ones.

These activities will not be realized without the support of everyone. First of all I would like to thank God who gives me courage, stamina and guidance to be able to do all the programs and activities we planned for this organization.

I would like also to thank my husband and my best friend, Sonny who is very supportive of any undertakings and projects that we had undergone.

I would like to give thanks to the family and friends of those who joined the “Beauty for a Cause” project (Rodney & Merle Spoelman, Tim & Tess Shaw, Mike & Marie Morales, Keith & Liza Vincent, Kelvin Rios/Norma Chernoby, Mimi Glazek, Mike & Charlita Brown, Ron & Eloisa Vogel, Dr. Suzzette & Darwin Ona, Randy & Vicky Wahr, James & Sonia McCormick, Ron & Marvie Blain, Olivia Graber and Shirley Punches).

Thank you is also in order for our volunteers, Dr. Milton Amayun (monetary contribution & facilitating the ratification of WMFAA Constitution & By-laws), to Naty Hoang & George Aquino (“Beauty for a Cause Coronation” night), to Marthalou Bryan, Myrna Olsen and Barbara McCargar(our gifted singers); to Andy Zwart (saying grace before dinner during our functions/ meetings), Russ & Mercy Kruizenga (Sound, Karaoke System & helping with the WMFAA Float set-up), to Gody Johnson (WMFAA Float Decoration, keeping track of Karaoke Scores and other chores), to Ana Taruc, Renee Donovan & Alvin Alves (WMFAA Halloween Costume Contest judges); to Jing-jing Nacua (Halloween Party photographer), to our financial donors (Fred Powell, Rudy & Acela Seguira, and Ron & Eloisa Vogel) to George Taruc (for leading our Christmas Carols), to Perla Scott (the “WMFAA Beat” dance instructress), our very dedicated and awesome dancers (Agnes Johnson, Julie Scharphorn, Marilyn Peiffer, Rose Derks, Shirley Punches, Susan Shull, Alicia Doornbos and Sam Limon) and to Jennifer Pascua (WZZM Channel 13) for joining us and emceeing our parties’ programmes.

I cannot do all of these activities without the support of the Board of Officers (Mary Rusco, Prospero Tumonong and Lisa Durham) and to the active members of the Board of Directors (Beth Franklin, Julie Scharphorn, Vicky Zwart and Paul Walters) of this organization.

Another year lie ahead of us and we do not know what future may bring to each and everyone of us. As long as we love and support one another, the coming year will be another good one.

We encourage you to explore our website. The Calendar of Activities for 2009 has been posted. Please mark your calendars and would like to encourage full participation of all members to the activities listed.

Again, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to serve you as the President of this organization, WMFAA.

May you all have a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!!!