Save the Date for our 10th Chinese Culture Day

Come join us on Sunday, October 5, 2008 in New Haven, CT for our 10th Chinese Culture Day. We'll learn about Chinese culture through live performances, food, arts and crafts, and more. Over 400 guests attended our last Culture Day, so be sure to check back soon for how to reserve your space at this popular and fun event. Some of the things already planned include:

- Professional entertainment

- Arts and crafts

- Catered lunch by Lao Sze Chuan Chinese Cuisine of Milford, CT. Lao Sze Chuan recently recived a "Good" review from the New York Times.

- Homeland tours presentation by Ming Hua of Chinese Cultural Exchange, West Hartford, CT. MIng has been assisting families with Chinese adoptions since 1995, as well as escorting groups on homeland and guided tours to China.

- Marketplace, Silent auction, and Childrens' raffle.

Help make our 10th Chinese Culture Day a success by joining our dedicated volunteers. If you can lend your time or donate an item for our silent auciton or raffle, please email Pat Bilotto at pbil99@yahoo.com. Check back soon for more details, and information on how to purchase tickets.

2007 New York City Bus Trip

On Saturday, June 16, a bus filled with FCA families and friends enjoyed a fun-filled trip to the Chinese Consulate and Chinatown in New York. Our first stop was the Chinese Consulate on 12th Avenue in Manhattan. We were warmly greeted by the Deputy Consulate General and his staff, and escorted through a beautifully decorated lobby.

First we viewed a film highlighting the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. We were then escorted to a magnificent banquet room overlooking the Hudson River, where we sampled tasty pastries and beverages. After finishing our snacks and viewing the Hudson from the outdoor terrace, the Deputy Consulate General introduced his staff and thanked us for our visit. He expressed his sincere appreciation for adoptive families and for the resulting positive impact on the lives of Chinese children living abroad. After a question and answer period, the children were presented with goodie bags filled with stuffed animals that represent the mascots of the Beijing Olympics, while adults were able to choose from several books covering aspects of Chinese culture, including calligraphy, gardens, art, and tea.

After our lovely visit to the Consulate, we took a quick ride to the largest Chinatown in the U.S. There, we dined at Golden Bridge Restaurant on Bowery Street, where we sampled over 7 courses served in traditional family style. With the enticing food and busy atmosphere, a few of us felt as if we were back in China!

After lunch, we were free to wander around Chinatown at our own pace. Canal Street provided many of us with the perfect place for bargain hunting and shopping. Browsing along Mott and Grand Streets, we found rows of fish, flowers and vegetable markets. Columbus Park was wonderfully quiet haven from the hustle and bustle of the streets.

The rain held off as we enjoyed our final minutes in Chinatown, but a downpour greeted us just as we gathered for the ride home. Back on the bus, many of us shared our purchases with each other and talked about the adventures of the day. Due to the success of our first trip the the Chinese Consulate and Chinatown, look for this event to be offered next spring in conjunction with the Consulate's popular Children's Day Celebration!

9th Annual Chinese Culture Day a BIG Success!

In October 2006, over 410 people celebrated our children's rich Chinese heritage at the 9th Annual Chinese Culture Day in New Haven, CT. Our friend Jack Mao from China attended. This event raised several thousands of dollars to be used toward our next orphanage project. Thank you to everyone who attended this event!

The 9th Annual Chinese Culture Day featured the following activities:

- Professional Chinese Folk Dance performances by Dance China New York and Xi Wang

- "Going Back, Moving Forward", a presentation by Our Chinese Daughter's Foundation on Homeland visits to China

- Arts & Crafts

- Silent Auction and Children's Raffle

- Nail Painting and Face Painting

- Catered Chinese Buffet

- Marketplace featuring Asian, Adoption and Family themed products and services.

Jack and Friend Fundraising Face Painting

Lunar New Year Celebrations

2008 Year of the Rat - A Multi-national Success

Instead of holding a separate Chinese New Year event, this year the China Parents Committee joined members of FCA’s Korean and Taiwan adoption programs in planning the Lunar New Year Celebration held Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the Jani Restaurant in Norwalk with the Korean food provided by EDO Restaurant of Norwalk.

Hosted by the Adoption Foundation of FCA, 170 people attended this event, not only
from Connecticut, but from Massachusetts as well as Brooklyn and Long Island. In addition to Chinese, Korean and Japanese food, activities included crafts, singing Chinese songs, and a childrens' raffle.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! 2007 Year of the Pig

Our 3rd ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR PARTY was held on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at the beautiful JANI RESTAURANT in Milford. We shared a wonderful lunch buffet, children's activities, and silent auction. All children who attended received lucky money in the form of Red Envelopes filled with chocolate Chinese coins, and a Chinese art project to take home.

2006 Year of the Dog

In January 20006, the 2006 Chinese New Year Party to Celebrate the Year of the Dog was held at Grand Buffet Restaurant in Wethersfield, CT. Over 200 people enjoyed Chinese and International cuisine, shopped at the marketplace, and purchased raffle tickets. The children created beautiful crafts, had their nails painted, and were excited to get on stage and perform the Ribbon Stick Dance with students from the Asian Academy of Arts. Chinese exchange student Sha Wen, with assistance of many of our children, taught us of the many symbols of Chinese New Year. Sha Wen is from mainland China and spent her senior year of high school with an FCA family. We were also entertained by the graceful yet calculated moves of Tai Chi Master Yan Huo.

Ribbon Stick Dance

FCA Families and Friends Celebrate 10 Years of China Adoptions

In July 2005, over 400 families and friends celebrated FCA’s 10th Anniversary of the China Adoption Program under warm, sunny skies at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT.

The celebration was attended not only by FCA families, but many relatives, waiting parents, and friends from Connecticut and other states enjoyed a wonderful day full of fun activities. In addition to Quassy’s exciting rides, thrilling water park, and hearty luncheon buffet, children made Chinese crafts, and adults bid on Silent Auction items and bought copies of Noodles & Chopsticks, the cookbook created by the China Parents Committee.

Everyone enjoyed the beautiful traditional Chinese dances performed by Dance Revelation. The youngest children sat around the perimeter of the dance floor, smiling with excitement, as they watched dancers balance bowls on their head, twirl ribbons and scarves, and perform graceful movements.

FCA families also signed the beautiful Commemorative Wall Hanging created by Sharon Pijnenburg. This artwork now hangs on the wall of FCA offices in Norwalk, as a reminder of the many FCA families who have come together through the wonder of China adoption.

Many of us took the opportunity to catch up with members of our travel group as well as FCA friends Fang Zhang, Susan Baron, and Linda Hall. The smiles on their faces and sense of pride for all the families they assisted in creating were touching.

Several waiting parents also attended, and experienced the sense of camaraderie we feel in FCA’s China adoption community. Pat L., a waiting parent, commented, ”My husband was so impressed with the fact that the food was still being cooked even after we spent time on rides and returned to watch the dance. But the best part was seeing all the wonderful families! Running into the mommies in the bathroom with their little angels brought tears to my eyes.”

The funds raised by our 10th Anniversary China Adoption Celebration were used to sponsor twenty children from Chengde, Hunan province in foster care. Many of these children have special needs.

Enjoying Cotton Candy

Dance Revelation in motion Picture 1 Picture 2