Quincy, MA - The Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. (QARI) hosted a Lunar New Year Community Banquet at the International Buffet on March 26, 2005 and successful festival on March 26, 2005 at the North Quincy High school. Some of the highlights include performances of Chinese and Filipino music and dance, exhibits featuring the work of local Asian artists, a lion dance and traditional Chinese movies. A children's area was also available with Asian games and a senior citizen program area that featured crafts and calligraphy. Local restaurants offered different types of Asian cuisine.

More than fifty local businesses, government and social service agencies and individuals participated in the Lunar New Year Festival and Community Banquet. The Grand Sponsors of this year's festival were Sunshine Travel, Mohegan Sun and Stop & Shop Supermarkets. The Patriot Ledger, the Quincy Sun, and Boston Chinese News were media sponsors for the event.

Sponsors and volunteers are essential to the success of an event. QARI's goal is to maintain partnerships with these organizations, businessess and individuals in the future. This cooperative relationship gives the organization opportunities to offer important projects such as multilingual Information and Referal services, a Cultural Competency Program with the Quincy Medical Center, English for Living and Employment, Basic Computer Skills Classes, Tuberculosis Prevention and Health Awareness Video for Asians and the Lunar and August Moon Festivals to the community.

"Without the support of sponsors like the Sovereign Bank Foundation, QARI would not be able to offer its' English for Living and Employment class," said John Brothers the Executive Director of QARI. We also rely on volunteers from the community to teach programs such as our Basic Computer Skills Class."

"Thank you to North Quincy High School and the City of Quincy's Recreation Department for their support. The city has been very supportive of our cultural festivals." said Ken An, President of the QARI Board of Directors. "Other agencies such as QCAP and South Shore Elder Services have devoted a lot of time and energy to the New Year Festival and other programs serving the Asian community."

QARI's mission is to foster and promote the development of the social, cultural, economic and civic lives of Asian Americans to benefit the entire community. Lunar New Year celebrations are held in Asian communities throughout the world. Traditionally, the New Year is a family holiday. Families come together to visit, share meals and present gifts of "lucky" red envelopes to children. Quincy's celebration reflected this tradition and it was only made possible through the participation of so many individuals, organizations and businesses. "Thank you to North Quincy High School and the City of Quincy's Recreation Department for their support. The city has been very supportive of our cultural festivals." said Ken An, President of the QARI Board of Directors. "Other agencies such as QCAP and South Shore Elder Services have devoted a lot of time and energy to the New Year Festival and other programs serving the Asian community." Quincy Asian Resources Inc. is a not for profit organization dedicated to promoting the development of the Asian-American community. For more information about the programs and projects, please contact QARI at 617-472-2200 or visit www.qari.info.