Chicopee Rotary Club honors Hu Ke Lau with sold-out Polynesian fundraiser
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – A beloved piece of Chicopee's history was celebrated Friday evening as the Chicopee Rotary Club hosted its annual fundraising event, paying tribute to the former Hu Ke Lau restaurant and the family behind it.
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The event, titled "Tribute to the Hu Ke Lau," brought together more than 300 attendees for a sold-out evening featuring Polynesian entertainment, dinner and raffle prizes.
Throughout the night, guests had the opportunity to experience Polynesian culture while reminiscing about the Hu Ke Lau and supporting local charitable initiatives.
The fundraiser also served as an opportunity to recognize the Yee family and the memories the former establishment created for generations of visitors.
Scott Channell, a member of the Chicopee Rotary Club, said the event was designed to celebrate both the family and the restaurant's lasting place in the community.
"Our goal here was really to honor the Yee family as well as the memory of the Hu Ke Lau, which quite frankly, every single one of us here has a, our own special memory of the Hu Ke Lau. So it was just a really good marriage of opportunities," Channell told 22News.
The evening combined entertainment and nostalgia with the Rotary Club's ongoing efforts to support organizations throughout the Chicopee area.
Proceeds from the sold-out fundraiser will benefit various organizations serving the local community.
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