Happy time for all at the annual Coalition of Asian Americans Picnic in Skokie

Members and friends of the Asian Coalition gathered at Oakton Park for their annual picnic, food made by the diverse members of the coalition, and fun for all.

Left to right: Anil Pillai, Richard Reeder, Roy Swenson, Linda Swenson, David Putrus, Leona Davis, Mayor George Van Dusen, Krishna Goyal, Ken Grossman, Judy Putrus, Lisa Kudon, and Pat Hanley.

Coalition membership is open to all. It started with representatives from the Indian, Filipino, Thai, Pakistan, Chinese, Assyrian, Bangladesh, Armenian and West Indies or Jamaican community. Asian Americans represent over half of those that list themselves as foreign-born in Skokie.

Their goal is to get more Asian Americans involved in the cultural and civic activities of the Village and to encourage and prepare young people for leadership.