War refugee gives back to local fund

Westlake group
helped his family upon arrival in U.S.

PAYBACK—Helene Ross of the Westlake Women’s Club accepts a donation from Kieu Hoang. Courtesy of Claudette Davies

PAYBACK—Helene Ross of the Westlake Women’s Club accepts a donation from Kieu Hoang. Courtesy of Claudette Davies

In 1975, as the Vietnam war was about to end, Kieu Hoang and his family escaped their country and arrived in America. Starting over in a new land was difficult for the Hoang family.

Upon arrival, the Hoangs were assisted by the Westlake Women’s Club. Club members rented an apartment for the family, paid first and last month’s rent, furnished the apartment, bought the children clothes, enrolled them in school and helped the Hoang family start on their new lives in America.

Hoang and his family attended the Westlake Women’s Club’s 50-year anniversary celebration “Fashions on Parade” luncheon and fundraising event April 27 at the Hyatt.

Hoang is now a successful business man with interests in biotech, the Hoang Winery in Napa and Q Sushi in Westlake.

As a way of saying “thank you,” he presented the club with a $50,000 donation and an additional $7,000 from two of his associates.

The funds will provide scholarships to seven high school students in the Conejo Valley. The 2018 awards will be given to the recipients in the next few weeks.

Over the years, the Westlake Women’s Club has contributed to numerous charitable, educational and service programs through fundraisers.

Membership is open to all women dedicated to helping make a difference in the community.

For more information, visit westlakewomensclub.com.