Cupertino History Society is one of my favorite not for profit organizations.  I enjoy very much the work and the people there.  The History Society gives many new immigrants in Cupertino a chance to get to know Cupertino and appreciate its past.  It is also a place where we can bring many communities together to share our culture and our life in Cupertino.  During my 5 years of work in the HISTORY Society, I have made many friends who serve this community with passion and talent.  They have become my inspiration and pride. 

        Cupertino History Society has a small museum in Quinlan Center that displays tools and household materials from the past era.  Cupertino is not only the home for HP and Apple Inc., but also where Kaiser Permanente started its innovative work in revolutionizing modern HEALTHCARE.      

        Because Cupertino houses some of the TOP SCHOOLS and companies in the nation, Cupertino attracts many immigrants from different countries.  They choose this place to raise their families so their children have the opportunity to study in good SCHOOLS.  In their living and working here, many immigrants would be able to integrate better into the COMMUNITY if they have a place where they can learn about the community and relate with the people.  The Cupertino History Society has done a good job -- integrating the new immigrants with its residents and providing them with a chance to know the city and its dynamic history. By visiting our museum and taking part of our events, people have a chance to get together and know each other and share experiences and resources of the city.  These events unite newcomers and old residence and help them to be involved and become a part of the community.

        Since I am a new immigrant myself, I have benefited directly in my integrating into the city and getting to know my neighborhoods.  CHS's main goal is to make new families of the city aware of its history and community as well as helping them to integrate into its culture.  To achieve this goal, I established the “International Night” with other board members, the event features foods from China, Japan, India, Italy and American, as well as performances by artists from local SCHOOLS and art communities.  We proudly presented Cupertino local band, Rhythm Airs.  President Donna Austin and our members Darryl Stow, Jane Alvarado, Gail Fretwell-Hugger all worked together to make this event successful. We decorated the hall, make flyers, and invitations, designed menu, and invite performers from local schools.  It is a night of community togetherness, sharing, and appreciation of each other.  

       Each year, we envelop Cupertino with a sense of its history, holding events such as "A Sip of History"(Wine Tasting), "International Night"(Cultural Performance) and "Cupertino History Series Talk" (STORIES of Cupertino) which opened the doors of discovery into Cupertino’s past.

      With the constant change of the demography of Cupertino, comes the change of its landscape.  In the last 20 years, we have experienced an increase of MASSmovement of employment and urgent needs for more housing and more infrastructure expansions.  We need to continue encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, in the meantime, we need to maintain a sense of closeness in our community.  

      I have made many friends through my work at the History Society and it is wonderful to see them around town.  When Harlan Ray Bortner passed away, I reminisced about him sitting in the greeting chair at the entry of museum, warmly greeting visitors of the Cupertino Museum.  The chair he used to sit is still there today.  Whenever I see it, it brings back sweet memories of him and a sense of comfort to me.  I share the passion of the members of Cupertino History Society and I hope everyone who lives in Cupertino will develop affection for the community by knowing more of our own history.   

     Our city changes, but thank to the History Society that its history has been well preserved to reflect our past, spirit and love of this place we called home.  I am happy to help the History Society to tell our City's STORIES as well as bringing our community together to share their richness through events and tours organized by the History Society.