International China Concern (ICC) and American Friends of ICC 30th Anniversary Press Conference
Speakers and attendees of the International China Concern (ICC) and American Friends of ICC press conference held at The Richard Nixon Library & Museum in Yorba Linda, California.
Yorba Linda, California, USA. 5th June, 2023. The International China Concern (ICC) and American Friends of ICC held a press conference announcing their "Stand for Children ICC's 30th Anniversary Celebration Gala" at The Richard Nixon Library & Museum in Yorba Linda, California. The event was sponsored by International China Concern (ICC) and the American Friends of ICC (AFICC), and co-organized by the Hope Center and The Beverly Arts.
Peter Maize, CEO of International China Concern (ICC), traveled from Hong Kong to attend the press conference, and Ken Smith, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Friends of ICC (AFICC) traveled from Texas to be there. The other attendees included Mayor Michael A. Cacciotti, City of South Pasadena, Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Martinez, City of Whittier, Dr. Jane Zhang, Director of Tourism Development and Research, The Richard Nixon Foundation, Chen Ni, Board member, AFICC, Qun Ai, founder of the Aris A fashion brand and owner of Shennel Trading Group, and Lany Indrawati, representative for Hope Center, Harrison Engle, founding President of the International Documentary Association, Sandra Tung, Chairman of the American Chinese Exchange Association, well-known artist Niandan He, and Hua Jiang, Vice Chairman of the World Overseas Chinese Federation.
TV host Joey Zhou, founder of the Beverly Arts
The press conference opened with a speech from Joey Zhou, international bilingual TV host and founding chairman of The Beverly Arts, who introduced the speakers and honored guests.
A video was shown introducing the ICC as an organization full of friendship, care, and support. Peter Maize, the ICC CEO, gave speech and talked about how the ICC is celebrating its 30th year in China, helping disabled children by providing daily care, nutritious meals, physical therapy, and vocational training.
Peter Maize, CEO, International China Concern ICC)
Maize stated, "In recent years, the center of the ICC organization has shifted from helping abandoned babies to helping families of disabled children. The ICC is still helping abandoned babies in rural areas and welfare centers, but more work is being focused on helping families of disabled children. For all children, we are giving hope and the opportunity for love. We welcome everyone to actively participate in the 2023 "Stand for Children" 30th Anniversary Celebration Gala on December 10th, 2023. We also welcome everyone to come to China and join us in helping disabled children."
The ICC is one of the few non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that is still working in China. It works in cooperation with the welfare system and the community in China. Maize hopes that the ICC will help 7,000 families with disabled children in Hunan Province, by providing free and multidisciplinary services for their children.
Ken Smith, Chairman of the American Friends of ICC (AFICC)
Ken Smith, Chairman of the AFICC, delivered a passionate speech and pointed out, "AFICC is the fundraising organization of ICC in the United States. It is also one of the six fundraising organizations of the International China Concern /ICC. The press conference of the 30th anniversary celebration charity dinner of ICC "Stand for Children" Help us to promote and increase the attention of vulnerable children and families in China, and help disabled children to grow better. We also hope that the community will expand the network to provide greater financial support for ICC, so as to expand the care of disabled children and provide them with families and hope that these efforts will expand to other parts of China.”
Joey Zhou, Dee Dee, Harrison Engle, Ken Smith, and Peter Maize
Jiannan Huang, the rotating chairman of the LABA International Art Festival, was unable to attend, but sent a gift of calligraphy artwork he created. Hollywood film director Harrison Engle presented the artwork, "Fu," that represented Chinese blessings to AFICC and ICC. He also wished the gala in December to a complete success.
LABA Blue-chip Artist Jiannan Huang
Dr. Jane Zhang, Director of Tourism Development and Research, The Richard Nixon Foundation
Dr. Zhang said: "The main characteristic of human beings is the ability to care and support. Compassion is in our DNA, rooted in our brains and hearts. Thank you ICC and AFICC for their work on behalf of children with disabilities and their families. The Nixon Presidential Library is willing to work with you to develop volunteer programs that help students become part of community service around the world."
Mayor Michael A. Cacciotti, City of South Pasadena
Mayor Michael A. Cacciotti, City of South Pasadena, and Mayor Pro Tem, Jessica Martinez, City of Whittier both expressed their heartfelt congratulations and said that they look forward to the upcoming ICC 30th Anniversary Gala.
Chen Ni, Board member, AFICC
Chen Ni, member, Board of Directors for the AFICC, mentioned in her speech about their activities here in the United States and how she was leading her family to participate in AFICC and ICC activities.
Qun Ai, founder of the Aris A fashion brand and President of the Shennel Trading Group, brought her two grandsons, Nicolas Liu and Lawrence Liu, to participate in the press conference. In her speech, she said that she looked forward to have them both participate in the charity fundraising of AFICC and ICC.
Nicholas Liu, Aris Ai, founder of the Aris A fashion brand and President of the Shennel Trading Group, and Lawrence Liu
The press conference was exclusively sponsored by Hope Center, a nonprofit organization. The founding Chairman, Dr. Debby Jou, was unable to attend in person, but she sent videos about her organization. Lany Indrawati, representative for the Hope Center, gave a speech and talked about of the goals and accomplishments of the Hope Center in helping the disabled and people in need.
Dr. Debby Jou, the founding Chairman of Hope Center, a nonprofit organization
"Stand for Children ICC's 30th Anniversary Celebration Gala" will be held on December 10th, 2023, at the Renaissance Hotel in Newport Beach, California. The gala will be hosted by international bilingual TV host Joey Zhou and Hollywood supermodel Dustin Quick. The show director will be Harrison Engle. The event will feature surprise celebrities, cultural performances, and fundraising activities for the organization.
American Friends of International China Concern (also known as American Friends of ICC or AFICC) is the registered name for the US office of International China Concern. American Friends of ICC is dedicated to educating people about disability and Chinese culture, mobilizing volunteers, raising the funding need to support the programs in China, collaborating with like-minded organizations, and sharing about lives transformed - all in support of those ICC serves.
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by JHSZ International Art Institute