SWFCA December 2025 Newsletter
Dear Southwest Florida Chinese Association Members & Friends,
This fall, the Southwest Florida Chinese Association was delighted to bring our community together through meaningful cultural and educational experiences. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, families gathered at the Bonita Springs Lions Center for our Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival Celebration. The event featured a joyful potluck lunch with dishes shared by families and food prepared by the Association, along with moon cakes, fruit, and beverages. Members and friends enjoyed a warm afternoon of socializing, riddles, raffle prizes, and other festive activities in a welcoming, air-conditioned indoor space. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate tradition, strengthen connections, and create lasting memories together.
We are also deeply grateful to Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center for hosting a special guided tour exclusively for our Association. Participants learned about the inspiring history of how Rookery Bay was rescued and preserved through the Friends of Rookery Bay introduction, experienced the interactive Touch Tank, and gained valuable insights into Southwest Florida’s unique coastal ecosystem and environmental conservation efforts. This enriching experience blended education, exploration, and appreciation for our local natural environment.
As we close out the year, we look forward with excitement to our upcoming Chinese New Year 2026 celebrations, where we will welcome the Year of the Horse with cultural performances, community festivities, and shared joy. We hope you will join us as we continue to celebrate heritage, build community, and start the new year together with prosperity and unity.
亲爱的西南佛州华人协会会员及朋友们：
今年秋季，西南佛州华人协会非常高兴通过一系列富有意义的文化与教育活动，将社区成员紧密联系在一起。2025 年 10 月 4 日（星期六），众多家庭齐聚 Bonita Springs Lions Center，共同庆祝一年一度的中秋节。活动以温馨欢乐的百家宴形式展开，各家庭分享拿手菜肴，协会也精心准备了美食，并提供了月饼、水果和饮品。在舒适、空调开放的室内环境中，会员与朋友们度过了一个充满欢笑的下午，参与了交流互动、猜灯谜、抽奖及其他丰富多彩的节庆活动。这是一次传承传统、加深情谊、共同创造美好回忆的难得机会。
我们也由衷感谢 Rookery Bay 环境学习中心 为本协会特别安排的专属导览活动。通过 Friends of Rookery Bay 的介绍，参与者了解了 Rookery Bay 被拯救与保护的感人历程；在互动式的触摸池（Touch Tank）体验中，大家近距离认识了多种水生小生物，并深入学习了西南佛州独特的海岸生态系统与环境保护工作。这次活动将教育、探索与对本地自然环境的欣赏完美结合，令人受益匪浅。
随着一年接近尾声，我们也满怀期待地迎接即将到来的 2026 年中国新年庆祝活动。届时，我们将以丰富的文化表演、社区庆典和共享的欢乐，共同迎接马年的到来。诚挚希望您继续与我们同行，在新的一年里共同传承文化、凝聚社区，以团结与繁荣开启崭新的篇章。
Event Highlights
活动精彩秒拍
2026 Chinese New Year Celebration
2026年春节盛典
As we prepare to welcome the Chinese New Year 2026 and the Year of the Horse, we invite participants, volunteers, silent auction donors, vendors, and sponsors to join us in making this celebration a vibrant cultural highlight for all of Southwest Florida. Whether you are a long-time supporter or new to our community, your involvement helps transform this event from a tradition within the Chinese community into a shared celebration that welcomes neighbors of every background. Together, we’ll showcase the richness of Chinese culture, arts and heritage—creating joyful experiences, forging new friendships, and strengthening the cultural fabric of our region. Join us in making this year’s Chinese New Year celebration an unforgettable, community-wide event that celebrates diversity, unity, and the spirit of togetherness. Learn more and get involved at swfchinese.org/2026cny.html.
在我们即将迎来 2026 年中国新年暨马年 之际，诚挚邀请各界参与者、志愿者、慈善拍卖捐赠者、各类摊位商家及赞助商共同加入，携手将这一庆祝活动打造为整个西南佛州社区的重要文化盛事。无论您是长期支持我们的朋友，还是首次参与的新伙伴，您的参与都将帮助我们把这一源自华人社区的传统庆典，提升为一个欢迎不同背景邻里的共享节日。让我们一起展示中华文化、艺术与悠久传承的独特魅力，创造欢乐的体验，结识新的朋友，并进一步丰富和凝聚我们地区的多元文化。欢迎您与我们一同将今年的中国新年庆祝活动打造成为一个彰显多元、团结与共融精神的难忘社区盛会。了解更多并参与其中，请访问 swfchinese.org/2026cny.html。
Dear Southwest Florida Chinese Association Members & Friends,
With Thanksgiving approaching, the Southwest Florida Chinese Association Board is busy preparing our community’s biggest cultural celebration of the year — the 2026 Chinese New Year. Just like Thanksgiving and Christmas in the U.S., it’s a time for families to gather and share joy.
We invite you to join us for a memorable 2026 Chinese New Year Celebration as we welcome the Year of the Horse! The event will be held on January 31, 2026, with check-in starting at 1:00 PM at Paul Laurence Middle School.
Beginning at 1 PM, enjoy browsing a colorful silent auction and participating in fun, family-friendly games including ring toss, chopstick challenges, Four-in-a-Row, and more. Explore hands-on cultural activities like calligraphy, Chinese knot-tying, and mahjong.
Throughout the venue, you’ll also find unique vendors offering crafts, products, and community information. The celebration will feature a professional lion dance, live cultural performances, exciting raffle drawings, and festive red envelopes for children. Toward the end of the event, we will serve a variety of Chinese-style finger foods for everyone to enjoy.
We can’t wait to celebrate this meaningful holiday with you. Come join us at the Year of the Horse Festival!
Seats are limited — Early Bird discount ends January 23, 2026.
Event Fees
Early Bird Pricing
Regular Admission: $35
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Event details: https://www.swfchinese.org/2026cny.html
Warm regards,
Southwest Florida Chinese Association
亲爱的西南佛州华人协会会员与朋友们：
感恩节即将来临，西南佛州华人协会董事会正积极为大家筹备一年中最重要的中华传统节日——2026年春节。就像美国的感恩节和圣诞节一样，春节是家人团聚、共享欢乐的重要时刻。
我们诚挚邀请您参加2026 年春节庆祝会，与我们一起迎接马年的到来！活动将于 2026 年 1 月 31 日 在 Paul Laurence Middle School 举行，下午 1:00 PM 开始签到。
活动从下午 1 点正式开始，您可以先逛充满特色的慈善拍卖，并参与各种适合全家的趣味游戏，如套圈、筷子挑战、四子连线等。您还可体验书法、中国结、麻将等多种传统文化互动活动。
活动现场也将设有各类特色摊位，提供手工艺品、商品展示及社区资讯。舞台上将呈现专业的舞狮, 精彩的文化表演，还有刺激的抽奖活动，以及送给儿童的压岁红包。活动尾声，我们将为大家提供可口的中式小点心。
我们热切期待与您一同庆祝这个欢乐而有意义的节日——马年春节见！
名额有限——早鸟优惠将于 2026 年 1 月 23 日截止。
活动费用
早鸟优惠：
$20：6 岁及以上
免费：0–5 岁儿童
$50：商家票（含一张普通入场券）
正常票价： $35
如有任何问题，请发送邮件至：[email protected]
活动详情： https://www.swfchinese.org/2026cny.html
诚挚问候，
西南佛州华人协会
Community Corner:
诚征铁板烧师傅!! Hibachi Chef Needed!!
诚征新手，半熟手厨房铁板烧师傅。工资电议。有兴趣的伙伴们请电917-513-5187或发短信。联络我时，请说在西南佛州华人协会季刊上看到的。谢谢！
Now Hiring: Beginner and intermediate hibachi kitchen chefs.
Pay is negotiable. If interested, please call or text 917-513-5187. When contacting us, please mention that you saw this posting in the Southwest Florida Chinese Association Quarterly Newsletter. Thank you!
