Because of the support needed for flood victims in Southeast Asia, Asian Pacific American Students for Leadership (APASL) ran an art auction campaign named “For Asia.” It was held on the night of Monday, December 18, 2000 at the California History Center.

Students and local artists donated their paintings and photographs for the art auction. “Instead of going to the nearest Target . . . to purchase a Monet or Van Gogh,” said Lily Duong, President of APASL, “come to our Art Auction and take home an original.” As a result, people who took home an original were among the De Anza College faculty, the artists, and APASL club members and their families. “About thirty-five people showed up,” according to Betty Duong, also president of APASL. Duong believed that there would have been more people attending had the art auction been held during the quarter.

The “For Asia” art auction raised $660 during the night. The entire fund was sent to the Unified Buddhist Church, who collected donations from around the world and distributed them to the flood victims.

The residents along Mekong River have long suffered from the flood occurred during the rain season every year. They lack sources of food, run short of medical facilities, and are in need of small boats.

Associations like Red Cross and Unified Buddhist Church are making every effort to ease the pain of flood victims in Southeast Asia.

Besides the art auction, the events of the night also included a lecture from a guest speaker, Thich Tri Lang, who is the Head Monk of Dharma Lotus Meditation Center. He praised the effort made by younger generations that made the world different. In addition, two singers from the Vietnamese Student Association performed during the night. “Everybody showed up, and nothing went wrong.” Duong said.

In the future, APASL will strive to support the flood victims in various ways. Coming soon is a charity dancing party on Friday, Feb. 2 in Conference Room A and B in the Campus Center. APASL wishes to bring more awareness and support among the De Anza student body about the flood in Southeast Asia.