About one month ago I had found out that AYS was going to be the beneficiary of a group called the NAAAP (National Association for Asian American Professionals) (http://www.naaapchicago.org/Welcome.do) which was having a benefit dinner for AYS and another charity. I called Shari to see if she knew about that and she did. I had asked her if she was going to go to the benefit they were having but she said no because that is the day the kids make Ginger Bread Houses at the center. I told Shari that I would go since AYS was one of the benefit charities. I had contacted them and said I would go. Since I volunteer for AYS, I wanted to volunteer and help out at this dinner. I contacted them to let them know I was avaiable to be a volunteer and they accepted. A few days before the event, Shari got a call saying that they needed her to show up so that she could received a Certificate of Appreciation.

I was able to drive Shari to Navy Pier in Chicago for this event. Since I was a volunteer, I needed to be there early. We got there in plenty of time. My job was going to be a "Greeter" along with another person there. We stood outside the Children’s Museum (where the event was) and helped people who were attending to find where the room was. That was fun. The person I was with was very fun to talk with. We went back when the event started and they had about 40 people there. There were drinks and really good things to eat. Shari was having a good time and even met some volunteers who used to volunteer at AYS about 10 years ago! So she makes a lot of contacts there and received a very warm response from the people there. There were also so many new toys that were brought there and the people there wrapped each one. There were some speeches and Shari spoke a little and so did the person from the other charity. Then it was talking and enjoying the evening. From where we were, we have a great view of the city, which always looks so nice at night.