The Bay Area Chapter of ORIENTED.com dedicated its first annual Charity Picnic & BBQ to13-year-old assault victim Marco Chu and his family.
On April 22, Chu, a student at Woodside International School, was brutally beaten in South San Francisco. With nothing taken from him, it appeared to be an act of random violence on an innocent victim.
Suffering from severe swelling in the brain, Chu has recovered to some extent and returned to school at the end of this past school year. Chu participated in Woodside’s annual sports day, but is a bit behind in his academics due to his absence. He appears set to bounce back.
Police have made no progress with their investigation and have not classified it as a hate crime.
The event at San Mateo Central Park was initially meant to be a Father’s Day picnic for members and friends, but members of ORIENTED, an international Asian culture network wanted to raise awareness of the horrific attack and to show their heartfelt concerns for Marco and his family.
All of the proceeds raised went to aiding Chu and his family in the tremendous financial debts caused by the attack. Donors included Jill Hernandez of Goldilocks Bakeshop and Robert Yau, owner and operator of DateMyPet.com, Inc.
“With parents from Hong Kong and myself a four-year resident in South San Francisco, it is only natural for DateMyPet.com to give back to the local community by helping this cause.”
— Robert Yau, DateMyPet.com, Inc.
“It’s the least we could do for Marco and his family. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be living in a foreign land and then to have this happen.”
— Christine Hsu, ORIENTED founder
“Marco Chu’s case must be kept visible and in the forefront, and justice must be served. This event marked our way to bring support and compassion to his story.”
— Cindy Ho, San Jose’s
Redevelopment Agency
“He’s really a cheerful, sweet, very nice guy. He wouldn’t mess with people. He wasn’t a kind of person to fight.”
— Daniel Lei, 17, Chu’s “best friend”
“Everyone was amazed and happy. It was a joyful experience.”
—John S. Edwards, Woodside
International School Headmaster
