PADDLES UP: Thousands recently hit the waters of False Creek for the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Dragon Boat Festival. Founded by Milton Wong and David Lam, the festival has become the largest Dragon Boat event outside of Asia. First introduced at Expo 86, the Dragon Boat races have become one of the summer’s top cultural and sporting events. Prior to the start of weekend regatta, Peter Wong, chair of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society, fronted the firm’s Legacy Gala at the Concord Pacific Presentation Centre. The event attracted supporters to the $125-a-ticket event aimed at providing underserved children the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of the sport. Underscoring the point were Eric Hamber students David Liu and Emma Grimley, members of the 2015 World Junior Championships. Their words inspired guests to raise their own paddles, generating a reported $40,000.
EDUCATING GIRLS: Tien Ching grew up in China. Because of the Cultural Revolution, she, along with millions of other young people, had their dreams of an education and better life shattered. Instead of going to university, Ching worked in a factory for eight years in Gansu. In 1983, she moved to Canada and made Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»her home. With a deep belief that education is the key to lifting people out of poverty, Ching established Educating Girls of Rural China, a registered charity providing young girls from the poorest regions of Western China an education. Nearly 600 young women have received financial support thanks to Ching’s efforts — all successfully graduated. She recently staged her yearly fundraising luncheon at the Victoria Chinese Restaurant. Yours truly hosted the afternoon affair, which saw a record $28,000 raised, ensuring 28 more girls will receive the gift of an education.
MENTORING WOMEN: Created in 2002, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs educates, energizes and empowers businesswomen to become wildly successful through a series of mentor-focused programs. Founder Christina Anthony, along with general manager Lisa Niemetscheck, hosted the firm’s annual Garden Party, a summer mixer that also marked the organization’s 15th anniversary. Held atop Telus’s breathtaking rooftop garden, the party drew mentors and mentees together for an evening of kibitzing and celebrations. The business startup — now a registered charity — has gone national reports Anthony with its intensive E-series educational and mentorship program being offered in several provinces, including Ontario this October.
