"Tucson Red Thread Families" officially joined the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (picture)

"Tucson Red Thread Families" officially joined the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (picture) From left to…

“Tucson Red Thread Families” officially joins the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (photo) From left to right: Rose Veneklasen, Carol Korhonen, Kevin Wong, Patsy Lee (Thomas Veneklasen Photography) On June 25, the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center officially accepted “Tucson Red Thread Families” as the newest department of the center. Patsy Lee, president of the Tucson Chinese Association, Kevin Wong, successor president, and representatives of the Red Line families Carol Korhonen and Rose Veneklasen jointly cut the ribbon, marking a new chapter for the organization. Red Line Families was formerly known as the Southern Arizona Families Association for Adopting Chinese Children. The new name refers to a red thread connecting many families. So far, the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center has five departments, namely, Tucson Chinese School, Tucson Senior Citizens Association, Tucson Lion Dance Team, Tucson Chinese Historical Association, and Tucson Red Line Families. Tucson Chinese Cultural Center Welcomes the Tucson Red Thread Families It was a warm day on Saturday, June 25th, outside the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center. In contrast, the temperature was cool inside, but the warmth outside was reflected in the hearts of the TCA Board in providing a welcome luncheon event for its newest program – the Tucson Red Thread Families – comprising members of the former Southern Arizona Families with Children From China (SAFCC). The festivities began in grand ceremonious style. The TCA Board and the RT families joined in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a sampling of what the TCCC offers the Tucson community – the best of Chinese culture; fellowship; entertainment; excellent food, and just plain fun! Current TCA President, Patsy Lee, and President-Elect, Kevin Wong, together with RT Committee members, Carol Korhonen and Rose Veneklasen, cut the red ‘ribbon’, symbolic of the legend of the red thread that links the lives of those destined to be together, and often used by the Chinese adoption community to indicate the connection between adoptive families and their Chinese children. The ceremonies continued in the TCCC’s Multi-Purpose Room with heartful speeches. Outgoing TCA President Patsy Lee welcomed the families with humorous anecdotes, before retiring to the kitchen to help prepare the afternoon’s feast with other veteran TCA volunteers, such as John Kai and James Tong, working behind the scenes to make sure delicious Chinese food contributed to the wonderful event. Representing the Red Thread Families (RTF) Committee, Rose Veneklasen shared a little about the history of SAFCC, reflecting on some of the combined events and common goals/interests of the two groups, in addition to a rapid decline of Chinese adoptions over the past 5 years, that ultimately led to the creation of this new program. During lunch, the TCCC members and RTF guests enjoyed a slide show of images from both groups’ past events. Adults and kids lined up for a yummy buffet of marinated chicken, fried rice, sauteed summer veggies, crabmeat rangoons, egg rolls, and watermelon. While families mingled and enjoyed their lunches, several TCCC volunteers were available to provide information regarding some of the Center’s other programs. Following lunch, the adults continued their social interactions while kids of all ages had fun playing Wii games, ping pong, and singing karaoke. The fun lasted well beyond the closing time, with TCCC staff generously providing support so that a great time was had by all. (report by Mark Sorensen, markstucson@yahoo.com)