CASL's Virtual Gala

CASL’s in-person Annual Galas attract over 400 prominent Chicagoans each year. This year’s VIRTUAL event will include their very first CASL Founders Award and their inaugural recipient Julian Grace Foundation. As Co-Chair of CASL’s Advisory Board and organizational supporter for two decades, Emmy award-winning anchor Judy Hsu of ABC-7 Chicago will be the evening’s emcee.

All virtual attendees will receive gourmet meals delivered straight to their doors. Sponsors will enjoy promotion before and during the event as well as exposure on their website for several months. Top sponsors will be included in a professionally edited video uploaded to CASL’s YouTube channel.

Join us this fall for an unforgettable evening of inspiration!

CASL Founders Award

Bernie Wong, Eleanor So, C.W. and Heidi Chan, Esther and David Wong, Paul and Anna Ho, Grace Chiu,and Iris Ho were friends who shared a common background as Chinese immigrants. Over four decades ago,they found support in each other and regularly gathered at potluck dinners to discuss issues facing the Chineseimmigrant community. Many of these friends were social workers not content to sit on the sidelines and wait forothers to act. They made the decision to form the Chinese American Service League to provide services thataddressed critical community needs.

Through hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, they gained support from funders, local government entities and,most importantly, their community. With only a desk and couple chairs, their organization began serving clientsat the back of a dentist’s office. Now, over 40 years later, the Chinese American Service League has grown intothe largest social service agency in the Midwest serving Asian Americans.

We recognize our inspiring founders with the establishment of the CASL Founders Award. This award will begiven to a person(s) or organization that has created immense positive impact in their community. The awardeewill have embraced the spirit of the CASL Founders by actively working to make a difference. The awardee willhave made lasting and outstanding contributions to the communities they serve through creativity, innovation,and a commitment to progress.