Joseph Wong (front row, left), founder and chairman of the Yee Hong Foundation; and Stephen Siu (front row, right), president of the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, are joined by the figure of “Monkey King” and sponsors of the Dragon Ball 2016 at a media launch event for the 27th ball on Dec 4 in Toronto. NA LI / CHINA DAILY

The Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation started the countdown for its 27th Dragon Ball at the BMO Institute for Learning.

The Dragon Ball is one of the most anticipated and high-profile Chinese New Year celebrations in Canada. Presented by BMO Financial Group, the event will take place on Saturday, Feb 6, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, with more than 1,000 guests expected.

“Dragon Ball is more than just a fundraising gala; our guests will be fully immersed in Chinese culture and New Year festivities,” Stephen Siu, president of the Yee Hong foundation, announced on Dec 4 at the launch ceremony.

2016 will be the Year of the Monkey, and the gala will feature one of the most popular classical Chinese legends, Journey to the West with the figure of a “Monkey King” on stage. The performance showcases a collaboration of dance and martial arts with colourful choreography, costumes and music composition, performed by the artists from the Chinese Collective Arts Association.

The Dragon Ball will also offer a wide variety of food and drink choices at the pre-dinner reception. In line with the Monkey King legend of “Stealing the Peaches of Immortality”, Crown Jewel will produce a huge peach with many small dim sum peaches inside.

Beside the traditional dragon and lion dances, the opening performance will feature a Chinese folk dance, titled Qing Hua Ci (blue-and-white porcelain). In addition, a mini Chinese shadow puppet show will be held during the reception.

The funds raised will support Yee Hong’s culturally appropriate care for seniors of different ethnic backgrounds in the Greater Toronto area. Yee Hong helps seniors lead dignified, independent and fulfilling lives through its four long-term care homes in Scarborough, Markham and Mississauga; senior housing and a range of community programs and services, fulfilling 200,000 service requests every year.

“Entering into its 27th year, I am still very excited about the Dragon Ball that brought our donors, volunteers and supporters all together every year to help Yee Hong raise the much-needed funds so that we could continue to provide the best care to our seniors,” said Joseph Wong, Yee Hong founder and foundation chairman.

The Dragon Ball raises approximately $1 million for Yee Hong each year through corporate sponsorships, gala and raffle ticket sales, and auctions.

Yee Hong offers a continuum of care not only for Chinese seniors, but also those from the South Asian, Filipino, Korean and Japanese communities.

“BMO is committed to supporting Canada’s Chinese communities across the country and is thrilled to sponsor the 27th Dragon Ball and continue its long-standing relationship with Doctor Wong and Yee Hong,” said Ed Legzdins, senior vice-president and managing director, international, at BMO said in his welcoming speech.

Other major sponsors include Manulife, MediSystem Pharmacy Ltd, Tour East Holidays and RBC.

renali@chinadailyusa.com