Vera and Joey Ing on their 50th wedding anniversary. Vera is wearing a Chinese wedding dress, Joey a traditional Chinese jacket.
Vera and Joey Ing have been role models in giving. The Ings celebrated their 50th anniversary last Saturday with about 250 friends at the Wing.
Vera never says no to the community when she knows she can help. Call Vera the glue holding the Asian community together. Joey, on the other hand, is the glue of the Ing family, providing support for everything Vera does. She is the speaker, and he is the listener. Few know that Joey has a funny side. Both external and internal glues are essential to the vitality, prosperity, and development of the community.
Knowing Vera, she would not have their celebration in any other part of the city except in the Chinatown/International District area. She was born and raised in Canton Alley, right behind the Wing.
Her house on Mt. Baker is the unofficial campaign spot for many Asian and mainstream candidates. She has also hosted many free events for community celebrations. While playing the role of an informal adviser to many, she also spearheaded many community improvement projects and raised money for many worthy charitable and educational causes. Her support contributed immensely to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke’s first political victory when he ran as a state legislator in 1983.
The Ings have always been generous, although according to her book, they are not rich. Originally from Hawaii, Joey, a retired architect, designed many education and restaurant facilities and also donated his time for community projects. That’s the way Joey and Vera work. Pro-bono!
The couple is honest, but never blunt. They encourage others to do good, but they never intimidate. They are thoughtful, but never unrealistic. And above all, they are caring and don’t have a mean bone. I wish there were more Veras and Joeys in this community!
Congratulations and thank you to Vera and Joey for their good work in the community. Thank you, Joey, for being a community clown when we need one. ♦