Dear friends,

Last month was the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Three Belmont AAPI runners, Mr. Lixin Qin, Ms. Yi Zhang, and Mr. Cheng Zhong celebrated it by fundraising for the Belmont Celebrates AAPI Heritage (BCAH) Fund. The Belmont Chinese American Association (BCAA) proudly supported this campaign. 

On April 18th, all three of them crossed the finish line at the 126th Boston Marathon. For Lixin and Yi, this was their first Boston Marathon. We're so proud of their achievements. Congratulations!

The 2022 Boston Marathon race results: Lixin Qin 3:14:24; Yi Zhang 3:41:46; Cheng Zhong 2:55:39

And, thanks to your generous donations, they have raised $5,694 altogether by May 31st! 

Your support of the BCAH Fund made it possible for BCAH volunteers and BCAA to successfully organize or co-organize four major AAPI events or activities from late April to May:

The AAPI documentary “Far East Deep South” film screenings had over 400 in-person and virtual participants. After the screenings, we hosted a live virtual Q&A with the film producers on April 29th, and there were more than 1,300 views of the recording and counting. Both events have received great feedback from the students, parents, and other community members.

The inaugural AAPI 5K Run ‘n’ Walk, organized by BCAA to raise money for the BCAH Fund on May 1st, was truly a community-wide event. More than 350 participants with an amazing diversity in age, gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, etc., came together on a beautiful Sunday morning to show their support to the AAPI communities in Belmont. 

The BCAH has donated 140 AAPI books to Belmont elementary schools to support the AAPI book guest reader program and to Belmont High School (BHS) to diversify the ELA curriculum. Selections were based on recommendations of Belmont Public School teachers and administrators, following the Belmont Diversity Task Force guidelines. Parent volunteers read AAPI books to students in school libraries during May. The AAPI book guest reader program has officially brought the parent reader activity canceled for over two years due to the global pandemic back to our elementary schools. 

An AAPI Poster design contest was held among Belmont students in grades 1-8. One winner from each of the four categories, “AAPI Books,” “Asian American Athletes,” “Asian American Animators”, and “Asian American Groundbreaking Contributions,” was selected. The four winning posters and a collection  of hand-drawn posters were on display at the elementary schools. In addition, ten posters designed by the BHS Asian American Club students were displayed at the middle and high schools. These exhibits provided students an opportunity to learn about the AAPI history, traditions, role models, and significant contributions to our country. 

For details of our current and future programs, please visit our website.

Just like our Boston Marathon runners, we embark on a journey to raise the voices and visibility of the AAPI residents in Belmont. We thank you again for your continued support and contribution. 

Sincerely,

Belmont Celebrates AAPI Heritage Fund
Belmont Chinese American Association