By Tam Nguyen, Nguoi Viet
WESTMINSTER, Calif. – The engines of 25 exotic cars, from Lamborghinis to Ferraris, roared as they entered the Asian Garden Mall on Tuesday afternoon, looking like a scene out of the “Fast & Furious” film series. The cars drew attention, with people taking photos and climbing into the driver’s seats of the cars.
Vincent Ho arrives at the Asian Garden Mall for the Gia Lai Team rally. Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet.
But it wasn’t just the cars that the members of the Gia Lai Team wanted the community to learn about. The purpose the car rally was to raise awareness about the plight of needy children in Vietnam.
Vincent Ho, the team leader of Gia Lai, climbed out of his Lamborghini and greeted the community with open arms. In between meeting the fans, he spread the group’s message.
“We are here to help the poor over in Vietnam who can’t afford the luxury that many children are lucky to have,” Ho said.
The Gia Lai Team is sponsored by Vietnamese business owners who paid to have their logos emblazoned on the cars. That sponsorship money goes to the children of Vietnam. And since the members really love cars, they decided to show off their cars, along with logos of their sponsors, and rally around the nation to raise awareness.
Vincent Ho discusses how the team helps children. Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet.
“We are just a group of business friends who just wanted to have fun. And we also have one goal, and that is to help the kids in Vietnam,” Ho said.
Before the team was formed, the members had the goal to help the poor of Vietnam. Some were able to donate out of their own pockets; some were able to give their time and travel to Vietnam to help. The team grew as businesses decided to pair up, helping the Gia Lai Team to achieve its goals.
Gia Lai is a city in Vietnam and is the hometown of Vincent Ho, who named the group after the city.
“I just want to give back to the kids so they can live a better life and not suffer,” Ho said.
Exotic cars park in front of the Asian Garden Mall for the rally. Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet.
Gia Lai Team targets the most poverty-stricken areas in Vietnam, where families can’t afford to provide meals or an education for their children. While Gia Lai Team provides money, the members also plan to inspire more people to do the same and create a movement to improve Vietnam.
Gia Lai has more pit stops to end the rally. Today, the team will be in La Jolla at the La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St., and in Las Vegas on Thursday at Aria, 3730 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
