Before 19-year-old Nathan Yip died in a tragic car accident in 2001, he was overwhelmed by the poverty and lack of educational opportunities for young people, especially in the remote areas of China that he visited with his parents, Linda and Jimmy Yip of Aurora. At that time, Nathan, a Kent Denver School graduate, and his father spoke of starting a foundation to fund educational opportunities for impoverished children worldwide. It was their dream to provide educational opportunities and thus break the cycle of poverty that exists in so many rural areas throughout the world.

After Nathan’s death, the Nathan Yip Foundation was created to bring Nathan’s dream to fruition. In the past three years, the foundation has raised over $200,000 to build and repair schools and orphanages in China, Mexico and Rwanda. The foundation also provides school supplies and tuition for children in China and Mexico.

Each year the Nathan Yip Foundation hosts a Chinese New Year celebration to fund its various projects. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, January 28 at the University of Denver Cable Center, 2000 Buchtel Boulevard, Denver, at 6 p.m. The Year of the Dog will be welcomed with a Lion Dance by the Sho Lin Kung Fu School of Boulder followed by a festive Chinese dinner that includes a salmon salad that everyone at the table tosses together for prosperity. Silent and live auctions and a special performance by New York City Opera soprano Shu Ying Li will complete the festivities.

For more information please go to www.nathanyipfoundation.com or to purchase tickets at $120 each, please call 303.850.4785 or send a request by mail to Nathan Yip Foundation, 4600 S. Ulster, Suite 1400, Denver, CO 80237.