Bok Kai group has hopes

Friends of Marysville Temple feared they might have to disband

A local cultural group with an uncertain future has seen renewed community interest.

Last week, the Friends of the Marysville Bok Kai Temple and Historic Chinatown conducted a special meeting to gauge public interest in the nonprofit organization, fearing that the group would be forced to disband due to lack of participation.

“The meeting was a great success,” said Billie Single, vice president of the Friends of the Bok Kai organization. “Roughly 20 interested persons came, as well as six to eight long-time members.”

Prior to last week’s meeting, active membership participation was at an alltime low and board members were concerned that there were not enough bodies to keep the organization going.

“Friends of the Bok Kai did a lot for the Chinese Community,” said Jon Lim, president of the Marysville Chinese Community Inc. “It’s really sad that membership has gone down and it has gotten to this point.”

Friends of the Marysville Bok Kai Temple and Historic Chinatown has been working with the Marysville Chinese Community since the early ’90s to persevere the many historical Chinatown build-

ings located in downtown Marysville.

“The Friends of the Bok Kai were very instrumental with helping to raise money when the temple was remodeled,” Lim said. “They were a big help with the Chinese School restorations as well.”