Dinner to benefit Vietnamese HIV patients

Carole Drake + Enlarge Courtesy of Carole Drake

A capacity crowd joined Father Tai Nguyen and several other entertainers at Saint George Catholic Church’s Kuzy Hall Jan. 31 for a dinner and concert to benefit Vietnamese HIV patients. Father Tai prepared Vietnamese cuisine, assisted by others of the parish community, including the Women’s Council, who also decorated the hall with a Valentine theme for the evening. More than 350 people attended the event. Love songs in keeping with the Valentine theme were performed throughout the evening by Father Tai; Jay Christensen, one of the Sunday Mass accompanists; Dr. Grace Paradela of the parish; and Joel and Francisco Medina, members of the parish Spanish choir. Funds raised will be used to furnish equipment and supplies to families in Vietnam affected by the human immunodeficiency virus who can no longer work in the public sector as a result of their illness. They will learn and develop the skills needed to produce needlework products, which in turn can be sold to provide them with income to support themselves and their families.