A heart-warming Christmas tradition to benefit local health care will continue once again this year as White Spot Richmond Centre holds its annual Christmas luncheon on Christmas Day. For the 14th year, White Spot Richmond Centre will open its doors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with all staff time, tips and net proceeds being generously donated to Richmond Hospital Foundation.
This year the fundraising event has added meaning as it is the first year without Prakash Ganatra, White Spot Richmond Centre’s owner who passed away in May this year.
“This is a staff-led event that Prakash had originally begun,” says Charlie Tsang, Manager, White Spot Richmond Centre. “We really wanted to continue this in honour of him. It’s his legacy. Just as our outstanding service and commitment to guests continue, we wanted to continue this tradition as well. This remains an important fundraising event for staff. “
Originally from India, Ganatra emigrated to Canada in 1973 and worked almost exclusively at White Spot. When he came from Bombay, he noticed that little was open on Christmas Day in Richmond and he wanted to provide an opportunity for somewhere for people to go—people who may be single and on their own, seniors, people without families nearby.
“Prakash never wanted to take the spotlight. He always wanted the credit to go to staff for their hard work and donations. Today, Prakash’s wife Veena and family remain very supportive of the event. We all miss him but we know he’s here.”
Charlie says nearly 60 staff members will be generously volunteering their time and donating their wages and tips on a day when most families are celebrating at home. “We have tremendous staff who are so dedicated to our guests and helping out at this event.”
Since the event’s inception in 2001, staff tips and net proceeds from the event have totalled more than $100,000 to help improve local care at Richmond Hospital.
The Christmas luncheon is the busiest day of the year for the restaurant with guests coming from all over the Lower Mainland, and Charlie says he expects this year’s Christmas luncheon will be no exception. “We see incredible support. The restaurant is busy as soon as it opens. Our guests come to support a cause that has become a tradition.”
That support and commitment to community are just some of Richmond’s endearing qualities, Charlie says. “Richmond is a great community. It’s growing rapidly and it’s so diverse but it still retains a community feel,” says Charlie, who is married with two children, 16 and 14. “I fell in love with the community and moved my family here years ago. My own children even volunteer at our event.”
“We all do this for the health of the community,” he says. “We have staff who have been here for over 35 years. They have kids and grandkids who grew up in Richmond. My family has used Richmond Hospital. My grandma and grandpa have used Richmond Hospital. Both my kids have needed Richmond Hospital when they’ve been ill at some point.
“We give back to ensure that Richmond Hospital is there for us in the future.”
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