ONE ON ONE | Florence Wang People just can't say no to this volunteer

Where are you originally from?
I was born in China, and when I was real young my parents moved to Taiwan. When I got married, we came to the United States.
Was moving to the United States a scary thing?
Yes. We stayed at an interns' residence near the hospital. I heard the ambulance all the time, and then gunshots. I got a phone call from my uncle and he said, "You better not go out; Youngstown is a little Chicago."
Why did you come to Youngstown?
When my husband finished medical school he wanted to come to the United States to further his training. A lot of his friends were referring him to Youngstown -- the hospital has a good training program. That was 1968. We stayed for only one year after he finished his internship. We went to Canada, where he did his residency.
Then you came back to Youngstown after his residency?
Yes. Somehow we fell in love with Youngstown. When we were brand new here, we had a couple of families who adopted us. So, we had a family here. And, no matter where we'd go, we'd think about Mill Creek Park, we'd think about Youngstown. I don't see any place comparable.
Where did you settle when you came back?
In Boardman. I told the Realtor I wanted a house near a good school. From this day, I still thank the teachers from West Boulevard [Elementary School] because they gave my children a solid foundation.
How did you become such a good fund-raiser?
People say it's hard to say no to me. I'm fortunate to have a lot of friends who work with me as a team -- it's teamwork.
What organizations do you volunteer for?
I work for the American Red Cross -- I'm on the Ohio state services council, the Youngstown Symphony, Butler Art Institute, Ballet Western Reserve, Leadership Mahoning Valley, International Foundation -- that's the only board I don't have to raise money for.
I worked for Mahoning County Medical Society Alliance, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Women's Winter Association of Tippecanoe Country Club, Mahoning Valley Camp Fire Association, and Youngstown State University's two-year development task force.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
I'm very proud of my kids. They all turned out to be good kids. My Jennifer was Ohio state champion for speech twice. Catherine was Boardman High School valedictorian 1991. Stephanie was a state speech champion too. My youngest, Melinda, was always involved with art. She won some first prizes in photography.
What are your daughters doing now?
Two are ophthalmologists. One is a graduate of Northwestern. She worked as an associate producer for CNN and just moved to Paris to start her new life. The youngest is at Rhode Island School of Design majoring in photography and graphic design.
What accomplishment are you most proud of as a career volunteer?
My China trip was my big accomplishment. It was a formal invitation from the headquarters of China's Society of the Red Cross. They wanted me to do a seminar on fund raising. Doing two weeks of seminars in a different country? I had to ask myself, "Can you do it?"
Who is your role model?
I have two. Charlotte Tandatnick and Helen Macejko. When I first came here, Charlotte was like a mother to me. She taught me how to be a leader and a better wife and mother. She was always cheerful and brought happiness to other people. I want to be like her -- graceful, cheerful and bring happiness to other people.
Helen is determined and wise, unselfish and kind. That's what I remember of my own mother.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My father. Everything I do today has a lot to do with my dad -- how to treat other people. How to be unselfish, kind and forgiving. He said to remember the good things people do, forget the bad, and always give back to your community.
My father's dream was to go back to China, and he wasn't able to do that. I did that for him when I went to China for the Red Cross. I achieved his dream.
What do you do for fun?
I love to cook. The best ingredient is love -- I love food. I like music. I appreciate classical, rock -- I like Sarah Brightman and Rod Stewart. I like ballet too, and gardening and yoga.