SASF Embraces Conversion to an All-Electric Kitchen
SASF and SMUD are partnering to electrify our commercial kitchen. One of SMUD's numerous "Zero Carbon by 2030" projects, the partners envision a modernized kitchen that will be used for events, teaching, and workforce development in the restaurant trade.
Our kitchen was built in 2007, and in the last five years, many of the appliances have required costly and continued repair. SASF knew new equipment would come at very high costs. Fortuitously, in the second quarter of 2021, SMUD made SASF aware of its Shine Program, a truly timely happenstance.
"Repairs and band-aid fixes to our appliances were not the long-term solution," says SASF Director Don Lee. "Partnering with SMUD enables SASF to be a commercial kitchen leader."
SASF submitted a SMUD Shine Program application seeking new LED lighting in the facility and parking lot, renovating electric vehicle charging stations, and the electrification of the kitchen. The first two became the centerpiece for the Shine Award Application; the SMUD award was the largest match-fund award that year.
In early 2022, preliminary discussions focused on induction burner woks replacing the gas-fired ones. These discussions sparked in early 2024, including a visit to an all-electric kitchen with induction woks at the new State of California May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento. A contract became a reality in January 2025, setting the stage for the conversion to start in April or May and to be completed by the fall of this year.
SASF will not incur any direct costs. The project: all gas-fired equipment and lines will be removed and replaced by electric appliances and electrical conduits. The interior electrical panel and exterior power transformer and lines will be upgraded if necessary.
The removal of the existing infrastructure and installation of new equipment will be synchronized to minimize disruption to the use of the kitchen of scheduled events. Repairs and band-aid fixes to our appliances were not the long-term solution. Partnering with SMUD enables SASF to be a commercial kitchen leader. SASF and SMUD are enthusiastic about this venture.
"Induction cooking is the only way to go." Gordon Low, past Director and former gas-fired wok true believer. Gordon recently remodeled his kitchen to be all-electric with an induction stovetop.
"SMUD’s staff was open and responsive to all our ideas and concerns and worked diligently with us to resolve all issues during the project conception and contract negotiation phases. We look forward to the successful completion of the project." Eric Wong, Director
SASF Summer League
SASF is excited to offer our Summer League program again in a few months! Last year, we had a successful reboot of our K - 3rd grade division with over 110 participants! This year, we look to continue our K - 3rd grade division, but on Thursday nights. The league will begin on June 23rd and end on August 7th. We will also be offering a 4th - 6th grade boys and a separate 4th - 6th grade girls division. Both divisions will be playing on Monday and Wednesday nights.
There is a limited number of spots available. However, we will have a waitlist in case spots fill up. Thank you again for your support!
Summer League Registration
Financial Literacy Boot Camp Highlights
Jeff Won explains the fundamentals of the stock market.
SASF's Strive for Strength Financial Literacy Boot wrapped up in February. An enthusiastic cohort of 14 students and 10 parents met over four weeks to learn the fundamentals of budgeting, earning, spending, saving, and investing. Geared toward high schoolers, the boot camp was led by Ted Fong and Yousaf Zamanudin and held at Cosumnes River College.
It featured guest speakers Jeff Won, Malyna Phan,Mark Otani, and Jeff Ota. Some of the big questions answered were: What will it cost to live on my own? How much do I need to earn when I get a job? How much should I save for my future needs, including retirement? The speakers also explained health insurance, car loans, mortgages, apartment rental agreements, credit scores, how to read bills, compensation and benefits, taxes, the fundamentals of investing, and how to avoid credit card debt.
Students were asked to present a personal budget to the class based on a hypothetical income and to explain how it would support their lifestyle choices. One of the requirements was to put away 20% of their after-tax income for their emergency fund and retirement. They were pleasantly surprised by the power of compound interest – that saving just a little each month in an IRA or 401(k) could result in a retirement account worth more than a million dollars when they retire.
"This course was incredibly insightful," said student Alan Yan. "I feel much more confident about moving out than I did before this class," said Everett Dugan. "I feel like I’ve grown and understood what's in store for me in the future," said Jake Carreon. "This boot camp exceeded my expectations," said parent Gina Xu. "My students learned how to budget, read bills, and invest. I would recommend this class to every high school student."
SASF Strive for Strength will offer another session of the boot camp this summer. To receive a notification of the schedule, fill out the Interest List Form.
Sameer Kang receives a Certificate of Completion from Yousaf Zamanudin and Ted Fong.
Everett Dugan presents his budgeting assignment to the class.
SASF Big Day of Giving
SASF Big Day of Giving Open House
Open House: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 7:00-8:00 pm, Via Zoom
More than 800 non-profits in Sacramento are participating in the Big Day of Giving on May 1, 2025. Donations made to SASF on or before this date will count towards our total.
On Tuesday, April 29, join us on Zoom to learn how your giving supports SASF. We'll talk about how SASF is helping young people develop essential life skills through programs like Strive for Strength, Sports for Life, SPARK, Summer League, and Teens Create Dreams. You'll hear personal stories from several participants. Board member Eric Wong will talk about SASF's major grants from entities like Nike, Sutter Health, and SMUD, the funder of our $250K kitchen electrification project. You'll learn how SASF is building our community by providing our facility and services to other organizations. We'll also explain different ways to give to SASF including donating your RMD through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). For more information on this and other ways to give, contact Eric Wong at lohwong@surewest.net.
We'll see you on Zoom on April 29th at 7:00 pm!
Register for Open House
SASF Big Day of Giving Features Sports for Life
Learn how SASF Sports for Life is helping individuals with special needs and how your donations make a difference! Meet five parents whose kids participate in this unique and most beloved program. In the 2-minute video embedded below, you'll hear from Sergio Guillen, Bruce Kaminski, Joy Antimary, Lindsey Williams, Corinne Lee, and Cami Okamoto.
Donate to Sports for Life
SASF Big Day of Giving - May 1, 2025
Donate During SASF's Big Day of Giving
31st Annual Crab Feed Wrap-Up
Many thanks to all of our Crab Feed attendees for supporting our annual fundraiser and SASF. A packed house of 800 attendees, mostly returning guests, joined new guests in the festivities. This year we launched online ticket sales which enabled us to broaden our audience.
Very special thanks and gratitude to Samantha Tov, Judy Cuong, and Don and Joey Lee who worked tirelessly on planning this year’s event. They worked over the course of many months to coordinate ticket sales, sponsorships and donations, volunteer coordination, and the logistics of the service and program for the evening.
Our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, local businesses, and individuals who contributed donations to the auctions and raffle. Your generosity helped us to raise funds to sustain our SASF programs.
A shout-out to Sacramento Council member Pat Hume for his professional auctioneering, wielding his vigor and energy to work the audience to even greater heights of charity. Anh Phoong, Esquire, again selflessly provided a bevy of high-demand auction items. Through her efforts, Mason Jones, guard for the Sacramento Kings appeared and Slamson and the cheerleaders brightened the night. Samantha's relentless energy and resourcefulness led to a bounty of great auction items and desserts.
Last, and most certainly not least, our deepest appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers for their time and help. From the preceding days before the event to execute food preparation, to the day of the event whether being part of the all-day cooking crew in the kitchen, to the stagers and servers of the food to our guests, and those who were greeters, sold raffle tickets, tended the bar, and provided waste management and cleanup throughout the event…THANK YOU!
Registration is Open for the SASF Golf Tournament on May 5th at The Reserve in Stockton
Registration is now open, and spots are filling up quickly! We sold out last year, don't miss out this year!
We invite you to the SASF Golf Tournament on May 5, 2025 at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton. We will celebrate after the tournament with a prime rib dinner at SASF prepared by our SASF Kitchen Crew.
Registration fee is $145/person and includes breakfast, green fee, cart, range balls, and a prime rib dinner at SASF.
We are still looking for sponsors! Last year's tournament was sold out and we anticipating selling out again this year—a perfect opportunity for getting your brand out there to a sold out crowd of 144 people.
Interested in just joining us for dinner only? We are also selling dine-in prime rib dinners.
Register or Become a Sponsor for the 2025 SASF Golf Tournament
Donations
We are extremely grateful to the many individuals, families and businesses who continue to support and donate to SASF throughout the year.
- Marlene Oehler for Strive for Strength
- Julie Ota for Crab Feed
- Yee Law Group for Crab Feed
- Jesan Liu for Crab Feed
- David K. Chan for Sports for Life
- Jenny, Neil, Jeff Wong & family in memory of Rodney Yung
- Bradley L. Yee, DDS for SASF golf tournament
- Asian Peace Officers Association for SASF golf tournament
- Mikunis for SASF golf tournament
- Darren Suen for Fishing for Smiles & Sports for Life
- Paul & Rosaline Lau for SMUD
- Mori K S
- Jeanie Voong
- Yousaf Zamanudin
- David Hironaka
- Dan Yamanaka
Consider Donating Through Chris Wong's PG&E Community Connect Giving Fund
Growing up with SASF, Chris is giving back through PG&E's match program which matches donations dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Chris is SASF's sponsor for PG&E’s Peer to Peer Fundraising Community. As a PG&E employee, he invites you to donate to a cause that he cares about. PG&E employees select the nonprofits that they support through Peer-to-Peer Fundraising and PG&E matches contributions to eligible organizations.
"I grew up in this program, first in summer basketball league and giving back as a basketball coach and referee. This organization does so much for the communities of Sacramento and Elk Grove. Their dedication to youth development through sports and leadership programs include teen women empowerment, a talent show completely organized by youth, and basketball, ages 7-18. They have added new programs to address teen mental health, and sports programs and a fishing derby for special needs youth. Pickleball for Seniors continues to grow by leaps and bounds. An anticipated program with SMUD includes classes on the use of modern and efficient kitchen equipment."
"Join me and my friends who participated in SASF programs and are now giving back in different ways. Donate via the PG&E YourCause website using the Guest option."
SASF's Standard Online Donation Method
Donate Online
2025 SASF Sponsors
Thank you for your generous support!
Subscribe to SASF's email newsletter to get the latest information
Read previous SASF newsletters