A Chinese New Year “singing for charity” concert will be hosted in Richmond on Feb. 10, to raise $50,000 for a physical activity room at the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Austin Harris Residence.
A couple of local singers will deliver a performance to the dinner attendees at the Radisson Hotel, along with a “fortune god” who will be there to hand out “surprise gifts.”
“It’s a tradition to welcome the ‘fortune god’ during the Chinese News Year. He will give gifts to people from a big ‘gold ingot,’ then everyone will be happy,” said Kok An Lim, singer and organizer for the event, and an anchor of a local Chinese radio station.
Attendees are advised to get dressed up in festive costumes, and a “secret” judge will be there to find the “best Chinese New Year outfit” winners in the categories of male, female and couples.
The gala aims to raise $50,000 in funds to build an activity room for in-house seniors and seniors from the adult day care program at the Austin Harris Residence.
“Our Vancouver Granville Lion Club has done luncheons with seniors before. But this time we decided it’s more worthwhile to do something long-term to care for seniors instead of just buying them lunch,” said Lim.
“S.U.C.C.E.S.S. told us, if senior people fall on the ground, it will cause more and more trouble. The activity centre’s main purpose is to build up their muscles, to help them not fall down.”
Lim said “mainstream” senior centres normally have these exercise facilities, but Asian senior houses don’t, due to a lack of funding.
“We are the first ones to raise funds for activity facilities for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. I hope by doing this, we will raise more awareness among other people,” said Lim.
He said it is great to celebrate the traditional Chinese festival by getting together with friends and helping others.
“It’s nice to get together with my good friends at this time of year, to enjoy the grand occasion together, and to wish each other good health. It is very important,” said Lim.
Around 125 seniors participate weekly in the Jackson Lam Adult Day Care Program, opened in October, at the Austin Harris Residence in Steveston.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is constantly seeking more donations to make sure the centre will run in the long term.
Tickets can be purchased for $90 and $138 each by calling 778-893-9937.
