Welcome to the 69th issue of the Yee Fung Toy Global Village Voice, an electronic newsletter for the World Yee community. In this issue we are featuring Summer activities from the Yee family associations around the world.

I hope you and your loved ones are keeping well. As another year comes to a close, we¡¦d like to take this opportunity to extend our wishes to you and your family, for a most wonderful Holiday Season. Thank you for your continued support. We are proud to serve such loyal and discerning readers.The holiday season is a perfect time to connect with loved ones, reflect on the year that was, and give back where we can.

We¡¦ve been again through a lot this year. We¡¦ve skipped a lot of celebrations. We¡¦ve canceled vacations. We¡¦ve missed out on milestones. As we head into the holidays, there¡¦s no doubt those will look different too. We¡¦ve been forced to adjust how we do just about everything. And while I know we¡¦re all anxious to put 2021 behind us, as I look back on the year, I find myself filled with gratitude.

Unfortunately as we are all aware, the Covid-19 new variant "Omicron" situation continues to evolve with a rapid increase in case numbers across the country and the world. As we head into the holiday season and with the Omicron variant presenting increased risk, I am reaching out to each of you with the ask to stay cautious and diligent. With the continued need for physical distancing, mask-wearing and rigorous hand washing. And in keeping with the Provincial, State and Government Health Officer¡¦s orders, we encourage you to celebrate only with those in your households, and avoid non-essential travel. We wish you all a happy, healthy, safe holiday.

We thank all those who have made contributions to this issue, including:

• Jim Yee, James Yu and George Yee of Vancouver
• Worachai Aurprayoon and Fook Biu Yu of Thailand
• Bing Kai Lee, Johnson Yee and Wei Ming Yu of Hong Kong
• Paula Yee, Ringo Yu and Winston Yee of Boston
  
• Brenda Yee Fung of Phoenix
  
• Edith Yee of Southern California
  
• Yu Ze Xin, Jie Feng Yu, Jian Qiáng Yu of DiHai, China

Martin Yee, Vancouver

Phoenix Yee Fung Toy Association 2021 Youth Event

In January 2021 the unexpected passing of our Grand Elder John M Yee (reverently known as "Uncle John" to all in the local Chinese community) marked the saddest time in our chapter's history.

In March 2021, our annual spring banquet and ancestral ceremony were both canceled due to the continued COVID 19 Pandemic.

In Late May and early June, group gathering and mask mandate was lifted in our State of Arizona and the restaurants started to open up.

On Saturday, June 5, 2021, twelve noon at the Great Wall Restaurant, the Phoenix Yee Fung Toy Association held our annual Youth Scholarship Award and a PYFT Youth Activity ¡§get together¡¨ Dim Sum Luncheon. Over 120 of Yee Clan¡¦s youth and friends and families attended the luncheon. Some tables were seated with 14 -15 youngsters and Yee clan members.

The attended guests and families really enjoyed their fellowship with each other at the tables because we have not seen each other for over a year. The President of Western Grand Region Kenny Yee and his wife Phyllis and their young son Joshua were among the guests attended the PYFT Youth Activity luncheon.

While the delicious dim sum items were being served, the Association¡¦s Vice President Brenda Yee Fung was the MC and began the program. The Association¡¦s Secretary Jack Yee gave opening remarks and an opening prayer. President Tim Yee welcome, announced and acknowledged all the attended guests and families. President Tim also gave an update of the Association matters. Then President Tim and all the Association¡¦s Officers gave a toast to the audience as a token of appreciations and wished everyone to have a healthy and prosperous 2021.

Then followed by the Youth Scholarship Awards program. Mrs. Betty Yee and her fellow Woman¡¦s club members announced and awarded the Youth Scholarship to their recipients. The Scholarships were awarded to three different groups- elementary, junior high and high schoolers. Makayla Yue, Alissa Dong and Carson Yue are among the scholarship recipients. Congratulations to the Scholars and their families. Good job! Well done!

The Luncheon was ended with Jack Yee gave the benediction and wish everyone ¡§Good Health, Best Wishes and Prosperous 2021¡¨. Everyone stay safe and see you all back in 2022!

Brenda Yee Fung, Phoenix

The children of Southern California Yee Family Association Advisor Stanley ShiQuio Yee, celebrate their father's 90th birthday on Saturday, August 21st at the Five Star Seafood Restaurant.

It was a milestone cause for a grand celebration. As guests strolled into the party, they were encouraged to take a moment, pause, and reflect on happy times together.

We all wished Advisor Stanley ShiQuio Yee a happy 90th birthday, good health! We also thank him for his generosity, his donation to our Family Association.

Yu Clan Association of Thailand members gathered for a luncheon and celebrated the Mid Autumn Festival at the Evergarden Chinese Restaurant at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on September 15th.

Thai Yu Clan Association members wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

In 2021, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 21st (Tuesday). It's a reunion time for families, just like Thanksgiving, the Southern California Yee Family Association members celebrated this festive event on Saturday, September 18.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important festival in China after Chinese New Year. Chinese people celebrate it by gathering for dinners, worshiping the moon, lighting paper lanterns, eating mooncakes, etc.

Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai's "Quiet Night Thoughts" remains one of his most famous and memorable poems.

"Glitteringlike hoar-frost to my wandering eyes; Up towards the glorious moon I raised my head, Then lay me down ¡X and thoughts of home arise."

"Quiet Night Thoughts" is one of the best-known poems that children recite for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"Happy Mid-Autumn Festival" everyone!

Edith Yee, Southern California

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand and the Taiwanese Overseas Chinese Business Community learned that the re-emergence of COVID-19 has had a big effect on members of the public, especially those who regularly donate blood, causing the Thai blood bank to have lower than usual stocks of blood. The Thai Red Cross Society has invited all citizens to donate blood, so there¡¦s sufficient for the needs of patients. From the October 5th to October 9th, they cooperated with the Thai Red Cross International Blood Donation Center to organize a blood donation week charity event.

The Current Chairman of The World Yee Family Association, The Thai Yu Clansmen Association, The Overseas Chinese Association of Thailand, Mr. Seng Ching Yu led members of the Thai Yu Clansman Association to the Thai Red Cross International Blood Donation Center to support this meaningful blood drive and Double-Ten Day Celebration event on October 5th.

For over a century, Vancouver Chinatown¡¦s societies and associations have served as unwavering stewards of cultural heritage.

¡§Keys to Living Heritage¡¨ is a film series that showcases intangible cultural heritage activities and spaces inside Society-owned heritage buildings. Shared through the lens of their members, each episode raises awareness of the rehabilitation efforts these societies and associations face to restore and maintain their buildings, to keep traditions alive and pass them on.

Chinatown Society Heritage Buildings Association (CSHBA) was established with the ¡§objective of helping one another to rehabilitate the society-owned heritage buildings in Chinatown.¡¨ They provide a platform to advocate for the conservation and rehabilitation of these irreplaceable spaces. The series features 5 CSHBA members: Chin Wing Chun Society, Mah Society of North America, Wongs¡¦ Benevolent Association, Yee Fung Toy Society, and Yue Shan Society.

Presented by: CSHBA Produced by: Chinatown Wonders Directed by Larry Chin | ³¯¼yµØ, Sarah Ling | ­â¼z·N.

Sponsors: City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, Vancouver Heritage Foundation Yosef Wosk Publication Fund.

The Current Chairman of The World Yee Family Association, The Thai Yu Clansmen Association, The Overseas Chinese Association of Thailand, Mr. Seng Ching Yu led members of the Thai Yu Clansman Association and members of the Overseas Chinese Association of Thailand to donate 6 portable units of oxygen concentrators to Vajira Hospital to support fight against COVID-19 on November 9th, 2021. As oxygen supply is a critical need for patients during this pandemic in Thailand.

Boston's Yee Association celebrated Thanksgiving with a full turkey and ham dinner, along with many side dishes and desserts. Our Elder and Grand President, along with many other Advisors and Officers were in attendance.

Due to COVID safety, we had to limit the number of people in attendance.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

YFT NE installed its 2022 officers on December 5 with more than 30 members in attendance, with newly elected Co-Presidents Paula and Ringo (along with Elder Peter) taking the lead.

We also celebrated Dong Gee same day, with home-made tong-yun and soup made by our own Women¡¦s Group members. This is an annual tradition enjoyed by all!

The next issue of the Yee Fung Toy Global Village Voice will be published in mid March, 2022, featuring current events and activities of the Yee Fung Toy associations across the world. Please submit your articles to the Editor via email (world.yee @ gmail.com) or postal mail (The Editor, 226 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6A 1Z7) by February 15.