FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stouffville, ON (March 20, 2024) – Founded in 1964, Mon Sheong Foundation holds fast to its motto of caring for the elderly and nurturing the young. Government dignitaries, donors and representatives of corporates and community partners gather at Mon Sheong Stouffville Long-term Care Centre to kick off the celebrations of the Foundation’s 60th anniversary.
Embarking on a new chapter, the Foundation has unveiled an anniversary emblem featuring a tree, symbolizing its vitality and flourishing growth, embodying its commitment to care for members of the community while growing together with them.
On this memorable day, Mon Sheong Foundation President Garth Low recounts the first inspirations of the Foundation, “In 1964, seeing the lack of care for many elderly Chinese workers in the community, our founder, Reverend Ron Con partnered with a group of committed Chinese philanthropists to establish Mon Sheong Foundation, with a steadfast vision of caring for the elderly and nurturing the young.
It was registered as Canada’s first Chinese charitable organization dedicated to fulfill the intensifying demand for senior care services in the Chinese community. In following few years, these philanthropic pioneers established Chinese school in 1968 and Youth Group in 1969. It took 10 years of meticulous planning and preparation to establish Home for the Aged in 1975, the first nursing home in Ontario specially catered for Chinese. Blessed with the support from the community, Mon Sheong has blossomed like a sapling and now provides services via four long-term care centres, three Chinese schools, two private care centres, two community and volunteer service centres and three Mon Sheong Court senior apartments. To alleviate the heightened demand for senior care arising from an aging population, Markham Buttonville Mon Sheong Court senior apartments are in full steam of construction and expected to be completed in 2025. Two long-term care centres, in Stouffville and Markham, are under construction with expected completion by 2026, providing 544 new care beds for the community. Meantime, we will continue to work with the government on the 608 new care beds awarded to Mon Sheong: 288 in Richmond Hill and 320 in Scarborough. As the Chinese idiom said, ‘It takes ten years to cultivate a tree, but a hundred years to nurture talent’. Over the past six decades, Mon Sheong Foundation has received unrelenting financial and volunteering support from the community to nourish our growth. We will continue to offer innovative services tailored to benefit the elderly and the young.”
Mon Sheong Foundation appreciates the continuous support from individuals, corporates and organizations, working hand in hand to build the community. Its 60th anniversary celebrations kick off with a tree planting initiative. The organization invites the community to come grow together with Mon Sheong by planting a tree in its facilities. Donors who contribute a gift of $6,000 or above will be recognized on a plaque at the tree to commemorate their generous support. The funds not only support the Foundation’s services and developments, it also signifies the growth together.
Mon Sheong Foundation will roll out a series of celebrations this year. The 60th Anniversary Community Celebrations will be held on Saturday, June 15 at Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park. In the combined form of a walkathon and carnival, there are singing and dance performances, carnival games and a trivia quiz along the walkathon route. Individuals and teams are welcome to join the walkathon and fundraise for Mon Sheong.
Mon Sheong Golf Classic will be held at Bayview Golf & Country Club on Thursday, August 22. The annual signature fundraising gala, Cathay Ball is scheduled for Saturday, November 2 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Organizations and individuals have actively hosted their own events to fundraise for Mon Sheong to celebrate this important milestone. HC Realty Group Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony and David & Adda Li’s 50th Wedding Anniversary took place in January. Upcoming events include Mon Sheong Ambassador Laurence Liang’s “Undrafted” concert on March 27, and Doris and Friends Charity Concert on June 1. Mon Sheong Foundation welcomes more third-party partners to jointly give back to the community.
On its 60th anniversary celebration, Mon Sheong raises funds through various initiatives and events, to garner support from the community to ensure Mon Sheong’s thriving developments of quality services in the new era!
For more information about Mon Sheong Foundation, please visit www.MonSheong.org or follow social media @MonSheong.
