The past year was an exciting time for us and we want to share our joy with you. Browse through the different pages to view our community fundraising and event highlights from over the years.
2014 Highlights
Visit by China’s Nanjing Department of Cultural Affairs
China’s Nanjing Department of Cultural Affairs paid a visit to Canada and on January 30, they visited the Richmond Hill Long-Term Care Centre. With them, they invited a few world class actors wearing complete costumes to perform a traditional Chinese opera for the residents, delivering an enriching afternoon to the seniors. In addition, the Deputy Mayor of Richmond Hill, Mr. Vito Spatafora also visited the residents at Richmond Hill Long-Term Care Centre on Chinese New Year (January 31), wishing them a healthy and happy new year.
Preview of Mon Sheong’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Activities
The Mon Sheong Foundation hosted the 50th Anniversary Celebration activity preview on February 6 and host a series of exciting activities to celebrate this important milestone. The Foundation will also introduce its 50th Anniversary Celebration Book to commemorate their past fifty years of achievements.
Golden Seniors Celebration
The Golden Seniors Celebration in its seventh year was held at the MEC Markham Event Centre honouring the seniors for their contribution to families and to society and encouraging our younger generations to respect and love the elderly. With over 800 guests in attendance, this is the first massive event celebrating Mon Sheong’s 50th anniversary with Ms. Soo Wong, MPP; Mayor Frank Scarpitti and the support of many Councillors from the City of Markham and Toronto. To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we have added more delightful performances to our program, including traditional Chinese opera. Another highlight of the evening was the impromptu performance by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti bringing the event to the climax.
Forever Yonge Relay
In celebration of fifty years of achievement and innovation, we hosted an unprecedented event on June 7 titled the Forever Yonge Relay. This one-of-a-kind cross-city relay has involved participants in walking, busing, biking and other forms of transportation to complete the 30 km relay along Yonge Street in Toronto, Markham and Richmond Hill. Yonge Street is the longest street in North America symbolizing longevity and continuity and over $250,000 was raised.
Chinese School Joint Campus Graduation Ceremony
Over 500 students gathered together at the P.C. Ho Theatre of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto on June 15 for the first ever Joint Campus Graduation Ceremony. In commemoration of Mon Sheong’s 50th anniversary, the graduation ceremony resembled one in the Tang Dynasty, with honourable guests and students alike donning ancient Chinese costumes. As part of the celebrations, academic certificates and scholarships were awarded to the students. Complete with Speech Art and Cantonese Opera presentations, the day provided an excellent opportunity for teachers, students, and guests to experience Chinese history and traditional culture firsthand, and signified the start of a new chapter in the history of the Chinese school.
Chinese Immersion Summer Camp
The Chinese Immersion Camp was a great success, and in response to parents and students alike, the camp will once again be held this summer. Offered in the program of your choice in Putonghua and Cantonese, it aims to provide students with an immersive environment in which they will learn the language through a fun-filled sessions in Chinese, math, music, arts and crafts, physical activity, and character education.
Annual General Meeting
The Mon Sheong Foundation held its Annual General Meeting on June 19 and Board of Directors reported the results as well as the overall direction for the Mon Sheong Foundation for the upcoming year. In addition, new Executive Committee members were elected: Mr. Tim Kwan, Chairman; Mrs. Doris Chan, First Vice Chair; Mr. Clement Tsang, SecondVice Chair; Mr. Frank Chau, President; Mr. Eddie Tsang, First Vice President; Mr. David Li, Second Vice President; Mr. Dennis Au-Yeung, Treasurer; and Mr. Garth Low, Secretary.
100th Birthday Parties
July 12 marked a special day across the three long-term care centres as numerous guests gathered at the Mon Sheong Home for the Aged to celebrate the birthdays of eight residents over the age of 100. During the same month, Richmond Hill and Scarborough Long-Term Care Centres also held 100th Birthday Parties and to share the joy among the different locations, highlights of the parties held at the other two locations was put onto the display on July 12 for everyone to enjoy. All in all, between the three centres, there were 21 residents over the age of 100 who celebrated their birthday through this joint event. Greetings were received from Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who wished the seniors health and longevity.
Elderly Awareness Campaign
The Mon Sheong Youth Group and Mon Sheong Richmond Hill Long-term Care Centre has partnered together to host the Elderly Awareness Campaign, in hopes of encouraging the younger generations and community members to treasure the time spent with the elderly.
Rising Star Singing Competition
The Rising Star Singing Competition is the first ever singing competition held by the Mon Sheong Youth Group. Judges include music instructor Ms.Christina Li, vocal musician Mr. James Lee, and the Mon Sheong Foundation’s First Vice Chairman Ms. Doris Chan. Ms. Leslie Yip also performed at the event to cap off a wonderful night of event. The Rising Star Singing Contest aims to discover local youth talents, recruit them to join our big family of volunteers and manifests Mon Sheong’s mission to serve the community.
Vito Spatafora Visits the Newly Completed Mon Sheong Care Complex
Mr. Vito Spatafora, Deputy Mayor of Richmond Hill, visited the newly completed Mon Sheong Care Complex to further understand the Private Care services. He was warmly greeted by Mr. Tim Kwan, Chairman of the Mon Sheong Foundation and members of the Board of Directors. During his visit, he chatted with residents of Mon Sheong Court and left a friendly and warm impression.
Mon Sheong Telethon
The 2014 Mon Sheong Telethon was broadcasted on Fairchild TV on September 14 and through the touching stories of residents and volunteers, the Telethon succeeded in gaining nationwide support, raising a record high of $198,000. The Mon Sheong Foundation thanked all sponsors, donors and supporters for their unfailing support.
Presentation of the Golden Jubilee Awards of Excellence
As part of its 25th anniversary campaign and to encourage outstanding youths, the Mon Sheong Foundation established the Silver Jubilee Awards of Excellence in 1989 to recognize and award 10 outstanding secondary school graduates in the Greater Toronto Area every year. To commemorate Mon Sheong’s 50th anniversary this year, the award was redesigned and enhanced, resulting in the Golden Jubilee Awards of Excellence. Ontario high school graduates and university students who study in approved programs—such as nursing, nutrition, health science, and social work—and have applied for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) are eligible to apply. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic standing and community involvement. Winners will receive up to $4,000 in scholarships, with $1,000 being awarded in each year of their studies to encourage their continued excellence.
Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
The Scarborough Mon Sheong Community & Volunteer Services Centre hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration for over a hundred seniors on September 6. Highlights of the party included a complimentary savoury festive lunch, fun-filled games and performances, lucky draws and fabulous take-home gifts.
The Scarborough Long-Term Care Centre Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
The Mon Sheong Scarborough Long-Term Care Centre celebrated its 10th anniversary at a luncheon hosted on September 23. VIPs, guests, community partners, sponsors, and the original architect came to give their congratulations on this special day. All were reminiscing back to the memories in the past when the Home was built.
Richmond Hill Long-Term Care Welcomes Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant Contestants
The Mon Sheong Richmond Hill Long-Term Care Centre was pleased to welcome the Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant Contestants on their visit on October 17. The ten contestants greeted and entertained the residents with songs, dances, instrumental performance and games.
Cathay Ball: “A Golden Celebration”
November 1 marked the 23rd annual Cathay Ball gala, a glamorous black tie event celebrating the Mon Sheong Foundation’s half-century anniversary in serving the community. Over 1,300 guests attended the gala and to showcase Mon Sheong’s milestones over the last fifty years, a special photo exhibition resembling a time travel tunnel showcased many precious moments from the past.
Community Christmas Party for the Seniors
On December 7, the Mon Sheong Home for the Aged hosted the 43rd annual Community Christmas Party for the Seniors serving 250 elders from the local community. The party was highlighted by complimentary savoury festive turkey lunch, fun-filled games, lucky draws, fabulous bring-home gifts, and performances by volunteers. Mr. Han Dong, MPP. was also in attendance and chatted happily with the seniors.
Community and Volunteer Services Centre Christmas Party
Friends of the Scarborough and Downtown Community and Volunteer Services Centres participated in a fun-filled Christmas Party on December 9 at the Mon Sheong Richmond Hill Care Complex. Joined by guests and members of the Mon Sheong Board of Directors, the seniors enjoyed a delicious turkey lunch, took part in lucky draws, and played an assortment of exciting games. The group was also given an exclusive tour of the Richmond Hill Mon Sheong Court and Private Care facilities, allowing them to explore the depth of Mon Sheong’s newest initiatives.
