Fundraising campaign launched for Korean Community Center
Members of the local Korean community and Fairfax County
government officials came together for a gala celebration Nov. 8 at the Fairfax
County Government Center to kick off a fundraising effort for a Korean
Community Center.
The Korean Community Center Organizing Committee (KCCOC) sees
the center as a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in educational, cultural, and recreational activities.
the center as a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in educational, cultural, and recreational activities.
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| Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova speaks at the Korean Center fundraising gala. |
“It’s a historic moment for us,” said Del. Mark Keam, who
served as moderator for the event, which featured remarks by Korean diplomats and local
leaders from business, education, and government; cultural entertainment; and a
luncheon provided by the Annandale restaurant, Han Gang.
The KCCOC’s top priority is finding a suitable site for the
center – preferably along the corridor between the county’s two centers of Korean
life and commercial activity – Annandale and Centreville. The group is exploring
various options, including buying land, purchasing an existing building and renovating
it, and leasing county-owned property.
center – preferably along the corridor between the county’s two centers of Korean
life and commercial activity – Annandale and Centreville. The group is exploring
various options, including buying land, purchasing an existing building and renovating
it, and leasing county-owned property.
The KCCOC has agreed on a vision – to provide “services and
opportunities that allow Koreans and non-Koreans to develop as healthy,
sufficient, and engaged community members” – along with a mission statement, a set
of principles, and bylaws. The group’s fundraising goal is $5 million.
opportunities that allow Koreans and non-Koreans to develop as healthy,
sufficient, and engaged community members” – along with a mission statement, a set
of principles, and bylaws. The group’s fundraising goal is $5 million.
Members of the Korean community have been working on developing
a center for years. The effort is now re-energized and back on track after
stalling due to discord among some of the original organizers.
a center for years. The effort is now re-energized and back on track after
stalling due to discord among some of the original organizers.
Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova, who describes her
role as a convener in facilitating the group’s efforts, told the gathering, “the
center will provide a home for services and activities for the Korean community
and will also be “a beautiful, warm, and welcoming place.”
role as a convener in facilitating the group’s efforts, told the gathering, “the
center will provide a home for services and activities for the Korean community
and will also be “a beautiful, warm, and welcoming place.”
Both Fairfax County supervisors Pat Herrity (Springfield) and
John Cook (Braddock) said they would help
the KCCOC find a location in their district. “This dream will happen,” Cook said.
John Cook (Braddock) said they would help
the KCCOC find a location in their district. “This dream will happen,” Cook said.
The group is looking at the Annandale-based Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia as a model, and officials from the JCCNV have been
serving as mentors for the KCCOC.
serving as mentors for the KCCOC.
Grace Han Wolf, a member of the Herndon Town Council, said
the Korean community needs a place “to improve the collective capacity of our
community to address our own concerns.” The center will be a place to “celebrate
our culture” and provide needed services, such as English language lessons, she
said. “It’s about quality of life.”
the Korean community needs a place “to improve the collective capacity of our
community to address our own concerns.” The center will be a place to “celebrate
our culture” and provide needed services, such as English language lessons, she
said. “It’s about quality of life.”
I remember these people from the Annandale fall parade.l
Could the former Bloom grocery space be used? Maybe some of the building could be sacrificed to create more parking.
How about the Walgreens property? Based on the lack of traffic in and out of there, the store won't be there much longer…