Chatham-Kent’s Asian-Canadian Cultural Association, dormant for a number of years, is back in action.
The association, which actually began in 1975, held its first event in years on the weekend, an informal picnic in Chatham’s Kingston Park.
About 100 Asian-Canadians attended the event, enjoying a diverse meal of various cultural dishes, as well as pizza for the kids.
“We have diverse food for diverse people,” group spokesman Maru Lakshmanan said. “We welcome everyone.”
He and the other event organizers were pleased with the turnout.
Jarnail Gahunia said the club was previously quite strong in Chatham-Kent, but as key members moved away over the years, it went quiet.
But with an influx of new families to the area in recent years, it made sense to get the association going again, Lakshmanan said.
“It’s a good thing for Chatham. There are many cultures here,” he said.
Gahunia said the association will hold other celebrations in the future, and plans to be active in the community.
“We owe the people who made this country so great. It’s our duty to make this country better too,” he said.
Anyone interested in learning more about the association can contact Rafi Veettil, the group’s president, at 519-401-3162.
