SWFCA August 2026 Newsletter

Land Dragon Boat Racers taking off at our 2026 Dragon Boat Festival held at the Chinese Alliance Church in Fort Myers on June 13th, 2026! Click here for more photos from the event.

Dear Southwest Florida Chinese Association Members and Friends,

As we wrap up our 2026 Dragon Boat Festival, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us. Your presence made the celebration truly special, and we hope you enjoyed every moment.

Our hearts are full as we reflect on the joy, connection, and cultural celebration we shared at this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. Thank you to each and every one of you who joined us — your presence and participation made this event truly special.

To our potluck participants:
Your homemade dishes brought warmth, flavor, and tradition to our celebration. Thank you for sharing your culinary talents and helping us create a beautiful community table.

To our volunteers:
Your dedication, energy, and teamwork made everything run smoothly. From setup to cleanup and every moment in between, you embodied the spirit of service that keeps our community thriving.

To our paid attendees:
Thank you for supporting our programs and choosing to celebrate with us. Your participation helps us continue offering meaningful cultural events for Southwest Florida.

To our sponsors and donors:
Your generosity added excitement and joy to our games and activities. We are deeply grateful for your continued support of our mission and our community.

And those who donated the changes... We thank you!

We welcome you to visit our sponsor page to discover more about the partners who support our community.

To our vendors:
Thank you for bringing delicious food, unique products, and vibrant energy to the festival. Your presence enriched the experience for all who attended.

Wen Wen Private Kitchen
TIICo-Translating Interpreting International Company
Snow Monkey Business
Paradise Smoothie Bubble Tea and Coffee
Dao Thai cuisine
Playa Bowls
Renewal by Andersen
Pine Island Lychees

We are also pleased to share that thanks to your generosity and support, we now have $1,800 towards our Scholarship Fund. This achievement underscores the remarkable generosity and commitment of our community. We look forward to share details of our Scholarship program with you during our Mid-Autumn Festival!

Join us for another joyful gathering filled with culture, family, and community spirit at our Mid‑Autumn Festival at Lakes Park in Fort Myers on September 19, 2026. Be sure to grab your free tickets before they run out.

There is so much to celebrate this season — and even more to look forward to. We’re thrilled to welcome Ann Hu and May Reidy to our Board, along with new committee members Liping Wei, Huijuan Xu, and Ian Craig. Their energy, generosity, and commitment to community service make our organization stronger. Visit our Meet Our Team page to learn more about entire leadership team.

If you’ve been looking for a way to make a difference, this is your moment. Discover volunteer opportunities on our Volunteer page.

We are excited to launch Taste Together - Connecting Community One Meal at a Time on August 14th, 2026. Our first stop is Dim Sum King in Fort Myers! Great food. New friends. Stronger Community. one meal at a time.

Last but not least, we’re very excited to announce a new partnership with FGCU Global Engagement Office and FGCU Office of Service Learning & Civic Engagement. Together, we look forward to launching meaningful projects that will benefit our community for years to come.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Anne Meyer
President, Southwest Florida Chinese Association

Preserving Culture, Connecting Community, Inspiring Generations
传承文化 · 连接社区 · 启迪后代

swfchinese.org

Susie Kwok, Christina Mundy, Mrs. Wang, and Shishi Li Cornell at the backstage of the Chicos/Pace Center for Girls’ Funky Fashion Show held at Chico’s headquarters in Fort Myers on July 14th, 2026.

We are incredibly proud of all of them for generously donating their time and talents for this inspiring event that benefits Pace Center for Girls. Susie had the honor of opening the Funky Fashion Show, while Chrsitina and Mrs. Wang were among the first models to step onto the runway for the Chicos brand fashion show! We are so proud of them for representing our community with such grace, confidence, and enthusiasm. Thank you for making a difference!

Meet our New Board and Committee Members

Ann Hu, Board Director, Youth & Education Committee

Ann is a dedicated professional educator with 30 years of experience who holds a Ph.D. in Education. Committed to fostering academic growth and cultural enrichment for all learners, she channels her deep expertise into leading the Youth & Education Committee for the Southwest Florida Chinese Association. Ann is passionate about helping young people explore Chinese culture and language, guiding them to expand their horizons and appreciate diversity in the community. Outside of her leadership roles, she is an avid world traveler and a passionate gardener. Whether she is harvesting fresh produce or helping young minds grow and expand their vision, Ann finds her greatest fulfillment in nurturing growth and cultivation in all aspects of life.​

May Reidy, Board Director, Fundraising Committee

May has been a registered nurse for 30 years, with experience in ICU, Emergency Medicine, Interventional Radiology, Cardiac Cath Lab, Electrophysiology, and Allergy. A graduate of Wayne State University, she grew up as a Chinese restaurant kid in small-town Michigan during the 1980s, an experience that shaped her strong work ethic and appreciation for her cultural heritage. She has lived in Southwest Florida since 2005 and currently works alongside her husband of 22 years, Patrick, an ENT physician who has served the community for more than 20 years.
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May has been actively involved in school and community volunteer work, serving as PTO Treasurer at both the elementary and middle school levels while helping coordinate fundraisers, events, and community outreach efforts. As an American-born Chinese parent of three teenagers, she values opportunities to preserve and share Chinese culture with future generations. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, boating, fishing, and all things Harry Potter, and looks forward to supporting SWFCA's mission in any way she can.

Liping Wei, Finance Committee

Liping is originally from Hangzhou, China, and moved to Florida with her younger son in 2025. With a degree in Finance, she built a successful 15-year career in financial management, advancing from entry-level positions to Finance Manager and gaining extensive experience in accounting, budgeting, and organizational operations. During this time, she also dedicated five years to supporting a nonprofit organization in Hangzhou, reflecting her longstanding commitment to community service.

Driven by a desire to be more involved in her child’s education and daily life, Liping transitioned into the education field, where she has worked in mathematics tutoring and after-school enrichment programs. Through her close interactions with students and families, she developed a deeper understanding of the academic, social, and emotional challenges that many children face today. Passionate about helping others, Liping actively participates in and organizes community initiatives that support families and promote meaningful parent-child communication. She believes that strong communities are built through compassion, connection, and service, and she is committed to using her experience and skills to make a positive difference wherever she can. Liping hopes to continue supporting children, families, and the broader community by creating opportunities for learning, growth, and mutual understanding.

Huijuan Xu, Youth & Education Committee​

Huijuan Xu was born in Changsha and raised in Nanchang, began her career as a mechanical technician, and later earned a medical degree from Suzhou University and an M.S. in Biostatistics from Fudan University. After coming to the U.S. as a visiting scholar in 1989, she completed an M.P.H. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and went on to spend over 30 years specializing in statistical analysis for clinical trials in neurology and immunology, retiring from Biogen in 2026. She and her husband, Shanchuan—whom she met in Suzhou—raised two sons in the Boston area before settling in Cape Coral in 2024. An active church choir member since 2010, she enjoys playing piano and traveling the world with her husband.​

Ian Craig, Youth & Education Committee

Ian was born and raised in Minnesota and relocated to Florida in 2023. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University in 2025. Ian has a passion for traveling and enjoys exploring different cultures and perspectives from around the world. Through his experiences in education and international travel, he has developed a strong appreciation for cultural diversity and community engagement. As a member of the Southwest Florida Chinese Association, Ian hopes to help foster cultural connections, encourage community involvement, and bring creativity and fresh ideas that celebrate and strengthen the rich cultural heritage of the community.

Upcoming Events

Visit our Event page for more community activities and events!

Secure your tickets for our Mid-Autumn Festival now!

Join us for our first Taste Together at Dim Sum King in Fort Myers on August 14th!

Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Your support makes every one of our programs possible and helps us continue building a vibrant, connected community. We invite you to take a moment to visit our Sponsor Page and learn more about the partners who uplift our mission.