One hundred Jasperites packed into a newly-decorated Smitty鈥檚 restaurant April 11, to attend Alfred Kong and Marianne Lau鈥檚 Asian Night, in support of the Jasper Ladies Hospital Auxiliary鈥檚 ultrasound fundraising efforts.
The restaurant鈥檚 owners decked out their dining area with Asian-inspired d茅cor, and as a three-piece band grooved from the corner, they served their guests a three-course dinner that featured more than 10 unique dishes.
Kong planned and prepared the meal, which included everything from seared ginger-garlic scallops to red snapper with sweet and sour drizzles to Kaya French toast.
Between the money raised from ticket sales and the silent auction, Lau said she and her husband brought in more than $10,000, which they will donate to the ultrasound fund.
鈥淓veryone has been really, really supportive. It鈥檚 been so amazing that people would stop me on the street鈥� and give completely unsolicited donations for the event, she said.
Tickets sold out well in advance of the event, which Lau said 鈥渞eally showed how much support there is for this cause out there.鈥�
On April 14, an exhausted Lau said she was thrilled with the success of the event, which received a ton of positive feedback. She made sure to congratulate her staff, who selflessly volunteered, waiting tables and working in the kitchen to ensure the event鈥檚 success.
Friday night, Lau also announced that Harold Schultz had agreed to match a 鈥渟ignificant amount鈥� of the money raised at the dinner. The combined donation, along with a $1,225 check from Tatsuhiko and Rieko Okazaki of Oka Sushi and many others should bring the ultrasound fund above $50,000.
Lau said she hopes the money will help the portable ultrasound machine be up and running in Jasper before summer ends. With less than $10,000 left to their goal, the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary looks to be on track to accomplish just that.
Trevor Nichols
[email protected]
