Outgoing and incoming presidents of Korean-American Chamber of Commerce – SV and Pioneer Lions Club met with Santa Clara Fire Department’s Deputy Chief Augie Wiedemann to donate the proceeds of live auction from the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament.

The $1500 donation will be used to replace broken smoke alarms or their batteries in homes of elderly or others who need assistance.

The Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley, a 501c(6) non-profit organization, has been serving the South Bay for more than 30 years. We promote and facilitate commerce with the Korean American community in the Silicon Valley. Although the community is involved in all facets of business, the most notable are the professional, retail, and service related businesses. From the central location in Santa Clara (Lawrence Boulevard and El Camino Real) there are approximately 350 Korean American owned businesses within a 1 mile radius. The Chamber has played a part in establishing and assimilating those businesses within the South Bay community over the past several decades.

In recent years, a transition of sort has taken place in the Chamber. The first generation of Korean American Board members passed the baton to the next generation. This allowed further enhancements in business practices and opportunities as corporate know-how and cultural traditions will provide a special place for doing business in the Bay Area.

Although the Korean American community is full of professionals such as CPAs and Attorneys, a tremendous number of entrepreneurial businesses are tied to restaurants. As the taste for ethnic food has increased in the South Bay, the Korean restaurants have flourished. For those interested in trying something new, a visit to the restaurants along El Camino will spice up your palates. A food court at Lawrence Plaza (3561 El Camino Real, Santa Clara) is a good place to start. If you’re already familiar with the food and would like to try something at home, you can find your ingredients at Kyo-Po supermarket (www.kyopo-market.com).

As Korean American owned businesses play an increasing role in the South Bay, the Chamber will continue to work with local businesses, chambers and organizations while sharing the rich traditions of the Korean community. A great example of this was the Festiv’All event on October 29th at Wyndham Hotel, San Jose. This event was organized by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley (www.hccsv.com) where the participants were exposed to local businesses and ethnic food from various countries.