Over $187,000 raised at 2016 Bloom Gala for charity care at ICHS

Connie Chin, sister of the late Donnie Chin, along with members of the
International District Emergency Center, received the 2016 Bamboo Award
on behalf of the late law enforcement advocate at the 2016 Bloom Gala.

More than $187,000 was raised for uncompensated care at the medical and dental clinics of International Community Health Services (ICHS) at the 2016 Bloom Gala on May 24, which also honored the late community activist Donnie Chin and Washington Dental Foundation for their service to the community.

The gala, held Saturday, May 21 at Seattle Westin, drew more than 400 people, who helped celebrate the achievements and successes of ICHS, as well as its continuing commitment to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health services to the community.

"We are grateful to the growing family of supporters who come to our gala and contribute to the cause," Ron Chew, executive director of the ICHS Foundation, said. 

"As ICHS expands its regional presence, we anticipate organizing other events as well. We've already begun planning for our second annual Lunar New Year 5k walk/run, which will take place in Shoreline in early 2017. Stay tuned!"

ICHS operates full-service medical and dental clinics in the Chinatown/ International District neighborhood, Holly Park/ South Seattle, Bellevue, and Shoreline, and locations at Seattle World School and at Asian Counseling and Referral Service, and a Mobile Dental Clinic.

The clinics care for more than 25,500 patients a year, and provide about $1.2 million in uncompensated health care to needy patients.

An emotional highlight of the gala was presentation of the 2016 Bamboo Award for Health to Washington Dental Service Foundation and the late Donnie Chin, founder of the International District Emergency Center, who was a personal friend to many patients and staff at ICHS. He was killed by still unidentified assailants on July 23, 2015. His sister, Connie, and members of IDEC received the award on his behalf.

More information about ICHS here.