At the NiHao Kickoff meeting, Harris Xie, the 2023-2024 President of the NiHao Youth Program, sat down for an interview with Sherwin Xu. When asked, "What advice do you have for the future leaders of NiHao?" Harris offered valuable and insightful guidance for the next generation of NiHao officers. Watch the video to hear our former Youth President's recommendations!

At the NiHao Kickoff meeting, Sherwin Xu, the EVP of Activities in the NiHao Youth Program, conducted interviews with various NiHao supporters, partners, and officers. One of those interviewed was Betty Liu, the 2024-2025 President of the NiHao Youth Program. Sherwin asked Betty, "How do you plan to make a difference in your new role at NiHao?" Watch the video to discover Betty's goals and vision for the upcoming year!

 On the morning of August 10, 2024, NiHao hosted its annual 2024 NiHao Ambassador
Kickoff Meeting in Frisco—a signature event that brought together a remarkable
assembly of leaders and advocates. Texas State Representatives Matt Shaheen and Angie Chen Button, Plano Mayor Pro Tem Maria Tu, Erica Yaeger and John Jenkins from the
North Texas Food Bank, and many esteemed leaders from the Chinese American
community gathered to witness this inspiring moment.

The meeting began with host Vivian Chen introducing our first speaker, Bing Xie, Co-
founder of NiHao Food Bank Initiative. With passion and dedication, Mr. Xie spoke
about NiHao's journey—not just as a beacon of hope, but as a force of action. In the last
three years alone, NiHao has delivered nearly 2 million meals to families in need across
North Texas. His words resonated deeply, reminding us all of the power of collective
effort in battling hunger.

Next, Erica Yaeger, Chief External Affairs Officer of NTFB, took the stage. Her words
painted a vivid picture of the harsh reality of hunger, especially in Texas, where 40% of
those struggling are children uncertain of their next meal. Erica emphasized the critical
impact that volunteers have on the community, highlighting the urgency of our mission.

Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen then stepped up to recognize the dedication of
NiHao’s ambassadors. As he handed out appreciation certificates to young leaders, there
was a sense of pride and accomplishment in the room—these young people are the
driving force behind our fight against hunger.

Following Matt Shaheen, Harris Xie, President of the NiHao Youth Leadership Team for
2023-2024, recapped the year’s events and expressed heartfelt thanks to the ambassadors
for their tireless efforts. He then introduced the new President, Betty Liu, ushering in a
new chapter of leadership and hope.

Texas State Representative Angie Chen Button followed with a moving tribute to her
heritage, underscoring the importance of remembering our roots. She warmly welcomed
the new members of the NiHao Youth Leadership Team and handed out their offer
letters, encouraging them to carry forward the torch of service.

Betty Liu, now President of the NiHao Youth Leadership Team, spoke with passion
about her goals and inspirations. She concluded with NiHao’s powerful slogan, “Give
where you live,” reinforcing the spirit of community that drives us all.

Jarlin Jia, a member of the NiHao Steering Committee, honored the Senior
Ambassadors—Jerry Wang, David Cui, and Jason Zhou—for their unwavering
commitment over the past three years. She wished them well as they embark on new

adventures in college and shared a heartfelt reminder that “You Are NiHao.” Her
message was clear: leadership in NiHao means embracing ownership, accepting
responsibility, mastering time management, building your personal brand, and most
importantly, finding joy in giving back to the community.

Before closing the event, James Huang, Co-founder of NiHao, announced the 2024
Peanut Butter Drive. He spoke passionately about the impact of donating peanut butter to
families in need, revealing that NiHao collected an astounding 40,000 pounds in 2023.
He urged everyone to contribute to this year’s drive, leaving us with the powerful words,
“Life is good when you're happy, but life is best when others are happy because of you.”

The NiHao Ambassador Annual Meeting was more than just an event—it was a
celebration of our collective commitment to service. We extend our deepest gratitude to
the volunteers who made this day possible—those who set up the conference room,
prepared refreshments, and managed the technology that ensured the event's success.
Your efforts embody the very spirit of NiHao, and together, we are making a profound
difference in the lives of those we serve.

​Hey NiHao Fam! We had an incredible time at the food bank in July and we’re
still buzzing from the positive vibes! During our volunteer shift, we came
together to pack and distribute food to families in need.✨ Thanks to all the
volunteers for your hard work and dedication - together, we made a significant
impact in our community, providing 30k+ meals and spreading hope. Join us
today in our mission to fight hunger and make a difference!

In the summer of 2024, NiHao Student Ambassadors served as teacher
assistants at the renowned UT-Dallas Gong Fu Panda Camp, playing a crucial
role in guiding young campers through various activities. They actively
contributed to managing the camp showcase, demonstrating their leadership and
quick problem-solving abilities. Throughout the internship, they refined these
skills while creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for the
children at the camp.
 
The kids at the camp benefited greatly from the presence of NiHao interns, who
not only provided guidance but also became role models, fostering a sense of
inspiration and encouragement among the campers.
 
Looking ahead, NiHao plans to continue its collaboration with the UTD Gong Fu
Panda Camp in the coming years, building on this successful partnership to
further enrich the camp experience and nurture young leaders.

Check out these photos from our June packing day! Thank you to all our
volunteers, especially our ambassadors returning from colleges, for showing up
at our first packing day of the summer! Our NiHao volunteers helped pack more
than 25,000 pounds of produce during their shift. Go NiHao! Continuing the
legacy of #givewhereyoulive!

​NiHao Student Ambassadors volunteered at the UTD Gong Fu Panda Camp as teacher assistants. This camp teaches campers about Chinese culture and arts. NiHao interns took care of young campers and helped organize classes for camp instructors. Our ambassadors also developed their own leadership, problem solving, and Chinese language skills!

We would like to thank the UTD Gong Fu Panda Camp for giving NiHao student ambassadors such a wonderful opportunity!

​🌊🏮 NiHao was thrilled to participate in the Dragon Boat Festival hosted by the city of Dallas, National Association of Asian American Professionals, and Dallas Police Department at White Rock Lake as part of the AAPI Heritage events! Our NiHao ambassadors shared the art of traditional Chinese paper cutting with attendees, adding a cultural touch to the vibrant celebration. Thank you to everyone who joined us in honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage! 🐉✂️ 

This past weekend, our team of volunteers came together and packed an incredible 30,200 nutritious meals to be distributed to families in need across our local communities. We're grateful to each and every volunteer who donated their time and energy. Your hard work will help ensure that no one in our area goes hungry. Events like these are a reminder of what can be accomplished when we join forces, and every meal packaged represents a life impacted and brings us one step closer to achieving food security for all. Thank you for being part of the solution! 
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If you're inspired to help, we'd love to have you join us at our next volunteer packing event. Together, we can continue making a difference, and give where we live.