LONG BEACH - More than 200 people - mostly Cambodian-American residents - flocked to McBride Park on Thursday to attend a combined Cambodian mixer, New Year celebration and luncheon.

The mixer featured about 25 government and independent agencies and organizations that provide free employment, social and health services.

Many of the organizations, including Khmer Girls in Action, United Cambodian Community, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging and Asian American Drug Abuse Program, had representatives who were lined up shoulder to shoulder and filled three sides of the park's gymnasium.

Many Cambodian-Americans have been fearful and suspicious of government agencies. In part, this is because many fled Cambodia after more than 2million people were executed, tortured, starved and worked to death by the genocidal Khmer Rouge government.

Many more are isolated because of language barriers.

Edward Tan, chairman of the Cambodian-American Chamber of Commerce, said bringing services to the people was a positive step because many simply don't know what's available.

Bryant Ben, a local activist, agreed.

"There are a lot of agencies to serve Cambodians," Ben said. "We're not refugees any more, we're in the mainstream."

After the mixer, attendees dined on Cambodian food including curried beef; Cambodian cole slaw; onsam, a concoction of pork, beans and sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves; and a dessert of onsamchek, which has fruit and rice wrapped in banana leaves.

On stage, residents performed folk dances from various cultures, played music, sang and demonstrated traditional Cambodian games.

The turnout reminded Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews of the importance of the upcoming U.S. Census and getting an accurate count of the Cambodian-American community to better serve its needs and to marshal funds.