Volunteerism Award

The Alvin Wong Family received the Volunteerism Award at CHCP’s Tenth Anniversary Dragon Ball

The Alvin Wong Family has exhibited generous service to the community with their volunteerism. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Alvin P. Wong moved to San Jose with his wife, Betty Lai, in 1951 to manage the Glen Center Market in Willow Glen. Al began his volunteerism in the Willow Glen Kiwanis Club and with his presidency of the Willow Glen Elementary Dad’s Club, where his children attended school. He was active with his children in the YMCA Indian Guides program, Sea Cadets, and the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. He served ten years on the Board of Directors for San Jose Civic Light Opera, now known as the American Musical Theater of San Jose.

Al joined the Chinese American Citizen’s League (CACL) of Santa Clara County, was elected its president in 1963, and served as principal of its Chinese Language School. Al currently serves as a trustee of CACL. Betty volunteered, organizing musical entertainment programs with the members’ children. Together they founded the Chinese Youth Club (CHI-U) of Santa Clara County and were advisors for ten years. The Chinese American Women’s Club (CAWC) was formed in 1961, and Betty was an active supporter, serving as president in 1987. Daughters Arleen and Anita also served as presidents, making this CAWC’s first multi-generational family participation. Al, Betty, Arleen and Anita have volunteered as Interpreters for the Ng Shing Gung exhibit at CAWC and CHCP’s past Chinese Summer Festivals.

In 1955, Al became a Mason of Fraternity Lodge No. 399 and was elected its Worshipful Master in 1968, presiding over 400 men. He is active with Scottish Rite serving as Treasurer of All Bodies and as trustee. Moving up to become a Shriner with San Francisco Islam Temple, he was elected the first Chinese Illustrious Potentate, presiding over 5,000 members. He was editor for two Masonic yearbooks. Al’s most recent project is founding Daylight Lodge No. 844 in 1996. A first for Santa Clara County, this is a Masonic Lodge that meets at noon, enabling members who work at night and those unable to drive at night to attend. Al belongs to SURS, Sons of Retirement, serving as Birthday Committee chairman. Betty and Al fund raise for the Learning Disorders Clinic at the Scottish Rite Center in San Jose. Betty became a member of Daughters of the Nile, a Masonic women’s group, in 1988.

Al and Betty’s children continue the Wong Family tradition of volunteerism. Arleen has volunteered in the schools, and many local community projects. She is active with the CAWC latest cookbook, Chinese Cooking: Our Legacy, in the Distribution-Mailing Committee. Anita, a founding CHCP director, chaired and co-chaired many committees, most notably: Volunteer Cleaning; Dedication of Day-Ng Shing Gung Exhibit Building; and Golden Legacy, the curriculum guide for teachers which was given to every public elementary school in Santa Clara County. Anita works with numerous national organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. She participates in county and city projects, especially those related to educational, cultural, and fine arts activities, among them the Lyceum of Santa Clara County and the San Jose Unified Foundation Celebrity Luncheon. Al and Betty’s son, Armond, served in the Navy Reserve for more than twenty years as a medical corpsman, retiring as a Senior Chief. He served in Desert Storm as a medical relief at the Oakland Naval Hospital, head of Orthopedics. Both sons Armond and Arvin, and daughter Anita have been active volunteers at their church. The Al and Betty Wong philosophy, “It is far better to give than it is to receive,” continues to lead the family to support and serve many organizations.