S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Walk with the Dragon Raises $450K

Vancouver, BC – The 29th annual S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Walk with the Dragon triumphed again on July 20, by raising $450,000, exceeding the original target, for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. services and programs that receive limited or no government funding. This adds to the close to $12 million already raised for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. since this annual affair began in 1986.

“The solidarity of the community coming together to collect and make pledges is one of the main ingredients in the perennial success of Walk with the Dragon.

We are humbled and elated by the support we received from both the public and private sector this year.

It demonstrates that you share our passion in the betterment of our community, and providing timely and appropriate services for those in need is a priority we all embrace,” said Sing Lim Yeo, chair of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation. “It takes a village to raise a child. It took over 100 sponsors and more than 1,700 individuals collecting pledges to make us realize our goal this year,” added Yeo.

Walk with the Dragon has always been a special event for elected officials and community leaders. This year, representing the Prime Minister of Canada, Jason Kenney, Member of Parliament, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, led a contingent of distinguished elected government officials to support the event. The morning began with the traditional Eye-Dotting Ceremony with the participation from representatives of the three levels of government to symbolize the awakening of the iconic 100-foot-long S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Dragon that will lead the walkers on a seven-km journey around the Stanley Park seawall. Once the dragon was off on its outing, Lumbermen’s Arch became even livelier with music and dance on the stage, giveaways and prizes at the game booths and entertainment that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

“It is delightful to see the diverse culture and age disparity of the participants here enjoying the event. This is what Walk with the Dragon is all about, working as one for the betterment of the community,” said in unison Bill Lau, Grant Lin and Johnny Tsang, co-chairs of the 2014 Walk with the Dragon.

One of the highlights of the day was the award ceremony for the 3rd annual S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Walk with Dragon children’s drawing contest, which began as an avenue for children to unleash their imagination and artistic talent. 42 kids took top honours but the distinction went to 10-year-old Eunice Wan and 14- year-old Rachelle Yau whose depictions of Walk with the Dragon will be the T-shirt design for the 2015 and 2016 Walk with the Dragon respectively.