Parker Eng, Bellevue City Councilmember, Elf George (Credit: Jerry Lee)
Despite wind chills in the upper 30s, Santa Claus and an elf named George greeted about 500 people on Dec. 19 at the 17th annual Christmas roasted chicken and zongzi giveaway at the ACRS Chinatown-International District food bank.
Toy’s from Rick Rizzs’s Toys for Kids (Credit: Jerry Lee)
The Dec. 19 event was supported by Rick Rizzs’ Toys for Kids, which provided gifts to families. The organization has donated thousands of toys to nonprofit groups for nearly 20 years. Executive Director Heather Jones said the group plans to continue the annual tradition of giving.
The community event drew support from numerous Chinatown-International District (CID) businesses and volunteers. Tai Tung restaurant owner Harry Chan helped prepare hot chicken congee for attendees waiting in long lines, while volunteers from the Boy Scouts and Cathay Post No. 186 veterans distributed the food along with hot jasmine tea.
Friends and supporters of elderly residents purchased Costco rotisserie chickens and helped package and distribute food. Ton Kiang Barbeque Noodle House prepared sticky rice zongzi to supplement food bank offerings. MarPac Construction supplied portable restrooms, and retired WaFd banker Derek Chin donated red envelopes with lucky money.
Elf George, Fred Brown & Santa Claus (Credit: Jerry Lee)
Some volunteers, led by Fred Brown and Nelson Nakata, plan to deliver 200 roasted chickens and baked goods to the SouthEast Seattle Senior Center on Holly Street on Christmas Eve.