Philanthropists Charlie and Ling Zhang founded Orange County Music and Dance, a non-profit community performing arts school in Irvine.
(The following text is an excerpt from the book Chinese Americans in Irvine 1971-2021)
Charles (Charlie) Zhang came to America in 1980 with twenty dollars in his pocket. With hard work, determination and belief in the American dream, he transcended many obstacles to achievement in and outside of business.
From dishwasher and gas station attendant, he went on to found the successful Pick Up Stix, the popular takeout chain, Aseptic Solutions USA and Zion Enterprises, a real estate company dedicated to revitalizing communities. He has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, he is the Recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor; in addition, he has been named Distinguished Leader Honoree by Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and OC Arts Award Visionary Arts Patrons. Charlie also participated in a Tedx Talk show.
Outside of his work life, Charles dedicates his full time towards giving back to the community, providing others the opportunity to strive and create new success stories. Charles has been a Concordia University supporter as well as of many local & international communities, such as the Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale and multiple Universities.
Charlie’s latest community contribution is the OC Music & Dance located in Irvine, CA. This center will provide the community a world-class facility in which people of all ages, experience levels, and cultures can come and participate in dance and music classes.
Charlie aims to help communities gain a better understanding of each other's hopes, improve and develop relationships as our society continuously becomes more and more diverse on a daily basis.
(Courtesy of Charlie Zhang)
慈善家:張祥華
慈善家張祥華、王翠玲夫婦2017年在爾灣創辦非營利組織OC音樂與舞蹈中心
(以下文字摘錄自《爾灣華裔紀實1971-2021》一書)
張祥華先生於 1980 年身懷二十元美金來到美國！通過其驚人的努力、決心和對美國夢的信念，
他克服了種種的障礙，無論在企業經營管理，慈善事業，非營利組織等等不同的領域，均成就非凡。
從洗碗工和加油站服務員，到成功建立受歡迎的外賣連鎖店 Pick Up Stix，Aseptic Solution USA 公司和致力於復興社區的房地產公司 Zion Enterprises，張祥華先生的美國夢逐一實現。他曾被安永會計師事務所（Ernst＆Young）評為「年度企業家」，又獲頒美國移民最高榮譽獎「艾利斯島傑出移民獎」（Ellis Island Medal of Honor）；此外，他還獲橙縣著名的塞格斯仲演藝中心頒贈傑出領導人獎，也被橙縣藝術組織 OC Arts 選為藝術遠見獎得主。張祥華先生亦曾受邀參加
了 TEDx Talk 節目。
在工作生涯之外，張祥華先生全時間投入於回饋社區，為的是給其他人提供奮鬥和成功的機會。他長期支援 Concordia 大學和許多的非營利組織，例如太平洋交響樂團，太平洋合唱團和多所大學。
張祥華先生對社區最新的貢獻是，位於加州爾灣市的 OC 音樂與舞蹈中心，該中心將為大爾灣社區提供世界一流的設施，各種年齡、不同經驗水平和不同文化的人，都可以參加該中心舞蹈和音樂課程。
張先生的目標是隨著我們的社會日益多元及多樣化，他希望幫助不同的社區透過更多的互動和理解，來改善和發展社區群體間的關係。
（張祥華提供）