On June 16, Hong Fook Mental Health Foundation hosted the annual signature fundraising gala, successfully attracted over 570 guests and raised over $200,000 in net proceeds. Ms. Jan Wong, the well-known award-winning Canadian journalist and author, shared her own recovery experience from depression and shed light on the significance of investing in culturally competent mental health programs and services. Mrs. Ruth Ann Onley, the wife of the former Lieutenant Governor David Onley, presented two lovely songs from the movie Beauty and the Beast and embraced the value of building our youth for the future.
“In Ontario, 1 in 5 Youth has a Mental Health challenge. Based on Hong Fook’s own study on East Asian Youth Mental Health Needs, the rate of suicidal thoughts of East Asian youth doubled the number of average Canadian youth, due to immigration, adaptation and acculturation. Due to the increasing and unique mental health needs in our communities, especially among our youth, more new programs need to be developed.” Julia Zhang and Sit Foo, the 2018 Gala Co Chairs, acknowledged, “We would like to thank all our sponsors and especially TD Bank Group as the Event Sponsor, the Gala Organizing Committee, and volunteers to make this event possible for all of us to enjoy.”
Kam Lo, the Chair of Hong Fook Mental Health Foundation, echoed: “Our focus of this year’s Gala is to support youth mental health as almost 70% of mental illnesses emerge between ages 16-24. The longer they left untreated, the more debilitating they become… Supporting our youth also means supporting their caregivers, family and community at large. With stigma around mental illnesses, our youth and even their family members are ashamed to reach out to get the support that they need and sometimes, the lack of support develop into tragedy.”
Kelvin Tran, SVP and Chief Auditor of TD, shared: “TD is committed to communities across Canada and proudly supports initiatives that focus on financial security, a vibrant planet, connected communities and better health. Through events like the Hong Fook Gala, we have the opportunity to bring people together as part of our commitment to create a more inclusive future.”
We are happy to announce the raffle draw result for our 2018 Hong Fook Gala – Raffle sales. The Winners are…..
1st Prize - Winning Number: #01654 – K. K. Lau
Description: Two Round-Trip Air Tickets to New York City & Three-Night Stay at Midtown Manhattan Springhill Suites Marriott Hotel (Valued at $2,185) Sponsored by Sogo Travel Inc. and Springhill Suites Marriott Hotel
2nd Prize - Winning Number: #03226 – Yi Gai
Description: One Apple Ipad Pro, 256GB with Wifi (Valued at $1,356) Sponsored by Rez One
3rd Prize - Winning Number: #01266 – Wendy Fan
Description: One Hugo Boss Leather Briefcase (Valued at $813) Sponsored by First Creative Accessories Inc.
4th Prize - Winning Number: #00923 – Sophia Guo
Description: One Visa Gift Card (Valued at $500) Sponsored by TD Bank Group
5th Prize - Winning Number: #02493 – Emma Wu
Description: One Spa Gift Certificate (Valued at $500) Sponsored by R Spa
Thank you to all the sponsors, guests, volunteers, and staff for an amazing night. For more information about the event, please find in the Gala Program Book.
Event Sponsor: TD Bank Group
Platinum Sponsors
- Otsuka and Lundbeck
- Rez-One
- Scotiabank
- Skymark Place Shopping Plaza
Gold Sponsors
- BDO
- Best Deal Graphic and Printing
- Congee Wong Restaurant
- Cultivated Real Investment
- Great Gulf
- Jay & Chui Group
- Medik Pro
- Peter P. Chang Professional Corporation Law Office
- Re/Max Excel Jay Leung Realty & Intrend Financial
- RBC Royal Bank
- Sing Tao Foundation
- Siu Keung Lo Professional Corporation
- Torce Financial Group Inc.
All the net proceeds will go directly to fund Hong Fook Mental Health Association programs and services. Join us and “Take the Mental Health Journey Together.” To know how to become a sponsor of the Gala, please read our sponsorship information.
