Chinese association in Palm Beach County donates to Dorian Bahamas fund

Palm Beach and Martin County Red Cross executive director Jennifer Broden Durrant identified a need for Chinese translators and geographers who can help with unmapped areas where Red Cross has difficulty delivering services.

Yao also told the story of when he first arrived to Florida nearly 15 years ago and left his family home during a hurricane.

"I left at home my wife and two kids in the apartment alone," he said, adding that his neighbor put plywood on his windows the protect his family. "I didn't do anything. No food, no protection, no water. My neighbor did everything. I didn't know anything about hurricanes."

Chinese students attend Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College and some high school students are at American Heritage. Yao said most have never experienced a tropical storm and do not know how to prepare.

Program manager Samuel Pierre, who is coordinating the local response with Bahamian evacuees, offered Red Cross disaster preparedness briefings to the Chinese graduate students.

"I see a partnership opportunity with the Red Cross," said Pierre.

Added Broden Durrant: "The information piece is so important with the stress level."

CASEC members gleefully handed out blue logo-stamped T-shirts to Red Cross employees and took a photo with an oversize donation check, part of relationship that will not only keep their community safe but allow them to form bonds with American neighbors.

"Hurricane Dorian was a monster, at the beginning everybody was scared," said Yao. In addition to organizing scientific seminars and cultural programming, Yao said CASEC members are now motivated to volunteer in the community.

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