AYLUS Great Neck Branch volunteers for GNCA annual BBQ 7/12/25

On Saturday, July 12th, members of the AYLUS Great Neck Branch dedicated their afternoon and evening to supporting the Great Neck Chinese Association’s annual summer BBQ at Steppingstone Park, a much-anticipated community event that brings together families and friends for food, games, and entertainment. The volunteers arrived promptly at 1:00 PM under warm summer skies to begin the setup process, which involved unloading and transporting coolers filled with drinks and ice, carrying heavy grills and cooking equipment to designated stations, arranging rows of folding tables and chairs in shaded areas, and carefully assembling large canopy tents to provide shelter from the sun. As the setup progressed, some volunteers strung up decorative banners and helped organize the various activity stations while others worked closely with the event organizers to ensure proper placement of trash and recycling bins throughout the area to maintain cleanliness.

By 2:00 PM, as early guests began trickling into the park, the volunteers divided into four specialized teams to manage different aspects of the event. The registration team stationed themselves at the park entrance with clipboards and name tags, warmly greeting attendees, verifying reservations, and distributing color-coded food tickets that would later be redeemed at the BBQ stations. Meanwhile, the food service team worked alongside professional chefs at the cooking area, where they formed an efficient assembly line to prepare meals – some volunteers carefully placed sizzling beef patties and hot dogs on fresh buns while others added condiments, and arranged them on serving trays alongside sides of roasted corn on the cob, grilled sweet potatoes, chilled watermelon, and bottles of water. A third group of volunteers transformed an open grassy area into a lively recreation zone where children could participate in traditional games like shuttlecock kicking and jump rope competitions. The craft station proved particularly popular, with volunteers guiding families through creative projects like decorating straw hats with paint and ribbons, assembling STEM based mechanical toys, and potting small succulents that guests could take home.

As the afternoon progressed past 3:00 PM, the park filled with the mouthwatering aroma of grilled meats and the joyful sounds of laughter and conversation, with volunteers constantly circulating to replenish supplies and ensure smooth operations. Between 4:00 and 6:00 PM, the volunteers took turns enjoying short breaks to sample the delicious BBQ and participate in the event’s special attraction, complimentary boat rides across the sparkling Long Island Sound that offered breathtaking views of the coastline. As dusk approached around 6:30 PM and the last guests departed, the volunteers sprang into action again, leaning every area of the park by dismantling tents, folding tables and chairs, gathering all recyclables, and ensuring no trash remained on the picturesque grounds. Several volunteers chose to also stay for an 8:00 PM classical music performance by renowned violinist Ray Chen. The successful execution of this beloved community tradition, made possible through the volunteers’ teamwork and enthusiasm, not only strengthened bonds within Great Neck’s diverse community but also provided the AYLUS members with valuable leadership experience and the satisfaction of contributing to a memorable summer celebration.

Report by: Serena Chen

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