On Sept. 16, the Korean community flocked to the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club with winning on their minds.
And win many of them did. Perhaps not with golf prowess, but with big hearts to serve their community. Many were generous to a fault, buying raffle tickets, mulligans and other add-ons.
Notwithstanding the overcast sky, men and women, wearing outfits that seemed impervious to any weather, were not dissuaded. Upon arrival, they were warmly greeted by a cadre of volunteers, flashing welcoming smiles.
They were sent packing on the green with Korean treats – karokay (a meat and vegetable turnover), cream sandwiches, and bottled water. There was much alacrity to their steps as they eagerly dashed to their carts.
The golf tournament, put on by the Han Woo-Ri Festival’s board of directors, was convened to raise funds to help finance the 2011 festival.
The budget to get this festival in motion costs tens of thousands of dollars. And with the downward spiral of the economy, the group became proactive in order to raise needed funds to supplement what donors usually supplement.
The annual event is considered to be the Pacific Northwest’s largest Korean-American festival, featuring performances of all sorts, exhibits, activities, food, and lots more.
Paying $100 a pop, which included golf carts, dinner, and service charges, golfers were treated to a cornucopia of goodies.
A number of absentees, including Federal Way City Councilman Mike Park, were hole sponsors, according to the group’s president.
Attendees who just came for dinner and auction paid $35 per person. Feasting from a full-course Italian meal, patrons polished off succulent Caesar salad, Fettuccine Alfredo, and
sausage with much satisfaction.
Added to the evening were the copious amounts of giveaways: Ivar’s $100 gift certificate, SyKart gift certificates, hotel stays, spa treatments, auto oil changes, Caribbean home-cooked dinner for six, just to name a few.
The pièce de résistance auction item, however, was a football autographed by celebrated Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu.
Mayor Linda Kochmar brought greetings from City Hall, splicing her speech with a few words here and there in Korean to show comradeship.
City Councilman Roger Freeman, too, addressed the audience, extolling praises on the group for their contribution to Federal Way.
Daniel Kim, honcho for Washington State’s Korean Chamber of Commerce, was also acknowledged by the emcee.
Board members and the dynamic duo, husband and wife Len and Sandra Englund, emceed the program. Other officers on hand were Board President Scott Brown and Vice President Hee Jung Lee.
Some of the Han Woo-Ri Festival’s highlights of yesteryear included B-Boy stars with a “battle” among crews from throughout the region; Korean pop music; traditional costume photo booth; calligraphy, and hands-on activities for children.
Learn more
For more information about Han Woo-Festival 2011, please contact Patrick Doherty, Federal Way Economic Development Director; (206) 679-8328 or (253) 835-2612; e-mail Patrick.doherty@cityoffederalway.com.
