Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Maryland's First Lady Leads Coronavirus Relief Donation Drive

Eunjung Cho

   WASHINGTON - Yumi Hogan, who as Maryland's first lady helped the state
   secure a half-million coronavirus tests from her native South Korea, is
   working behind the scenes to secure donations from the Asian American
   communities in Maryland to fight against the virus.
   Asian Americans in Maryland donated to the state government about
   560,000 pieces of personal protective equipment, including masks, hand
   sanitizers, face shields and medical gowns. Their donations were part
   of the "Maryland Unites" initiative launched in March by Governor Larry
   Hogan, to receive donations and volunteers from the private sector.
   In an interview with VOA's Korean service Thursday, Yumi Hogan said, "I
   think [the donations] were the result of the special relationship I
   maintained with the Asian communities. Through the donations, the Asian
   communities proved they can play an important role."
   Capitalizing on networks
   Among the donors is Chiling Tong, the president of the Asian & Pacific
   Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. Tong worked
   with Eugenia Henry, the Baltimore Chapter president of the Global
   Federation of Chinese Business Women Association, to mobilize community
   members and donate 40,000 surgical masks and 10,000 face shields to
   Maryland.
   Tong told VOA in an interview that the donations were aimed at showing
   appreciation to Maryland's nurses and doctors working on the front
   lines. She also said her ties with Yumi Hogan played an essential part
   in making the donation decision.

.