Chinese American Relief Effort (CARE) held an Independence Day Celebration Festival at the Chinese Community Center last Friday to raise funds for its annual back-to-school program.

This year the board selected two elementary schools - Benavidez and Edward White - with a total of 1,720 students who will receive school supplies in August.

Deputy consul general Zhang Chuanbing, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, State Representative Gene Wu, Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Judge Theresa Chang attended the event and saluted CARE's efforts.

More than 40 community organizations, companies and governmental agencies, including the Chinese Consulate General in Houston and the Taipei economic and cultural o)ce in Houston, participated in the event through donations or fundraising activities by selling foods and crafts, according to Vivian Chen, chairwoman of CARE.

(China Daily USA 07/11/2014 page9)