The Houston Chapter of the AAREA: Asian American Real Estate Association http://www.aarea.us issued a commitment and challenge to raise funds for the Sichuan China Earthquake Relief Fund. Metro Bank has also stepped up to the challenge by offerring to match the funds raised by the AAREA up to $50,000.

If you would like to contribute to this cause and many others around the world please donate to the American Red Cross at: www.redcross.org

I would like to mention a special thanks to Dorothy Yee from David Weekly Homes who provided 3-day-and-2-night vacation package in Galveston for auction at the event.

I have never visited China, the country of my family origin. I had planned to go this year for the Olympics in Beijing, and visit Hong Kong, and Taiwan. After the recent tragedies, Ive come to a conclusion. I still want to visit, but how can an American citizen possibly volunteer and be hands on, and how much impact can they actually have in a 2 week vacation? So I've decided to donate my vacation funds to the American Red Cross to help those in need. If I can raise the money again, I will go on my 2 week vacation later in October this year after the Olympics.

I believe we all have to make sacrifices in life. The first ones we should make are for our family, friends, and ourselves. This sacrifice affects only myself, but can benefits so many. I hope others will consider giving in other ways as well. Just a small sacrifice can be worth so much to someone else.