APCF honored Assemblymember Mike Eng with the 2009 “Visionary Award” for his efforts and commitment to community and legislative outreach to API communities throughout the Greater Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley area, as well as throughout the State of California. “I am privileged to receive this award and to be recognized by such a terrific organization that does amazing things for communities and bettering the lives of the people who live in them,” Assemblymember Eng said. The year’s honorees also included the Edison Chinese Connection, an affinity group of Southern California Edison, for their considerable charitable work and influence benefiting APIs.

Other dignitaries included Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry and Los Angeles County CEO, Bill Fujioka who were among the 250 philanthropists, community sponsors and civic leaders gathered at the Grammy Museum Terrace at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. This year’s Presenting Sponsor, Southern California Edison, was joined by other corporate partners including: Bank of America, Cathay Bank, The Gas Company, a Sempra Energy Utility, LA 18 KSCI-TV and VHA Corp. David Ono, ABC7 News Anchor, returned as this year’s Master of Ceremonies.

Over $150,000 in grant awards was distributed among APCF’s 29 affiliate agencies, which provide basic health and human services throughout Los Angeles County. “Community grants of this nature, no matter how big or small, are vitally important,” said Debra Fong, Executive Director of APCF. “Today’s economic challenges have seriously impacted the ability of smaller organizations that provide vital and basic need services, especially to ethnic communities in need.”

Since its founding, APCF has raised and distributed over $1.5 million in unrestricted grants to its 29 Affiliate Agencies providing services to the API community.