Thanks to the volunteers from first reponders, SF Unified Lions, Masons from Union City, BeChinatown Coalition, CCDC, community groups, Cameron House, Businesses, Community Leaders, and residents for making this first event amazing. Everyone had masks even Santa and Mrs. Claus. We gave out toys to 600+ kids who live in SROs. The kids or their parents/guardians/social workers came by to pick a gift. #BeChinatown #San Francisco (Also, Thank you Frank Jang for being our awesome photographer)

"Christmas in Chinatown" GoFundMe update #1: thanks to your kind donations, we were able to give out some "toys" today: 10 brand new, 8th gen (for all you tech nerds out there lol) iPads to honor students as selected by their principals from schools around Chinatown. Hopefully these will help them facilitate distance learning as they are sheltering in place and also make their holidays a bit brighter.



Press release:


BeChinatown Donates 10 iPads to Honor Students from Schools Based in San Francisco Chinatown


Students Chosen By Principals Based On Academic Excellence


December 5, 2020 - San Francisco - BeChinatown, a coalition of community leaders, residents, merchants, property owners and native San Franciscans dedicated to maintaining the history, culture and legacy of the biggest and oldest Chinatown in the country, today announced the awarding of iPads to 10 students who attend schools around San Francisco Chinatown in honor of their excellence in academics.


The honorees were each chosen by the principal of their respective schools. The iPads are provided in the hopes that the students are able to utilize them to facilitate distance learning while sheltering at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The students as well as the schools they attend are as follows:


Central Chinese High School in America:
Grace Tong Ou
Jason Chen
Hanlin Qi


Nam Kue School in San Francisco:
Kathy Zhao
Sharon Cheng
Eric Huang


St Mary’s Chinese Language School:
Hayley Huang
Pei Ying Wang


Cumberland Chinese School:
Amy Chen
Justin Lin



BeChinatown is a coalition of community leaders, residents, merchants, property owners and native San Franciscans dedicated to maintaining the history, culture and legacy of the biggest and oldest Chinatown in the United States. Fiscally sponsored by San Francisco Community Business Resources, BeChinatown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.


For more information, go to http://www.bechinatown.org/


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​Almost immediately after the lighting of the yellow and red Chinese lanterns at Wentworth Alley on October 1, 2020, locals and visitors complimented on how bright and attractive the alley had become and that it is cleaner with less vagrants sleeping in the doorways. Many used the lantern background to film videos or take selfies.
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The two restaurants at opposite ends of the alley enjoyed an increase in business and foot traffic. More and more pedestrians are using this beautified alleyway as a shorter pathway between Washington and Jackson Streets. Don’t be surprised if this alley will be a location shot for future media productions.

We're working to help raise funds to get toys and tech for kids who live in Chinatown's SROs. We're working with our network to make a child's spirit shine brightly in spite of COVID19. Our Vice President Douglas Mei is leading the charge.