The 36th Dragon Ball, presented by Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, took place on last Saturday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, bringing together over a thousand philanthropists, dignitaries and business/ community leaders to celebrate the Year of the Snake and raise funds to support Yee Hong’s senior services and the expansion of long-term care facilities.
Combining philanthropy with the celebration of the Lunar New Year, Dragon Ball has maintained its position as one of Toronto’s most anticipated events and the largest Lunar New Year celebration of its kind in North America for the past three decades.
Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation hosted the 36th Dragon Ball last Saturday.
Over the last three decades, the gala has raised more than $23 million for Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, supporting its operational expenses and development plans. Proceeds from this year’s gala will mainly go toward the construction of Yee Hong’s newest facility, Yee Hong Ng Siu Chan Centre, currently under construction in Scarborough.
The gala tickets were sold out this year. Government dignitaries in attendance to show their endorsement of Yee Hong’s contribution included Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Richmond Hill Mayor David West, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto LUO Weidong, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) Emily Mo and politicians from the three levels of Government.
Dr. Joseph Wong, Founder and Chair of the Yee Hong Foundation, extended gratitude to the community for supporting Yee Hong.
Dr. Joseph Wong, Founder and Chair of the Yee Hong Foundation, said, “For over 30 years, Yee Hong has been a beacon of hope for seniors, providing culturally appropriate care that respects the dignity and heritage of each individual. Our mission is not only to deliver exceptional care but also to ensure that every senior can age with dignity, joy, and peace of mind.”
Representatives from TD, Milestone Sponsor, delivered a speech.
The gala captivated guests with stunning entertainment.
“Tonight, we come together at a pivotal moment. The construction of a new Yee Hong long-term care centre is underway – a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve hundreds of seniors and their families. This project is a monumental step forward, but it cannot be completed without your support,” he added.
Stephen Siu, President of the Yee Hong Foundation, extended his gratitude to all sponsors and philanthropists. “Every year, the Dragon Ball brings together our donors, stakeholders, and community and business leaders — not only to celebrate the Lunar New Year but also to witness Yee Hong’s growth, achievements and its contributions to the community. We are deeply grateful for your continued support, which have made the Dragon Ball a great success year after year,” he said.
We received two generous donations from the Yee Hong CCRPA Program and the Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals and Businesses
The evening’s entertainment was kicked off with a stunning lion dance together with pipa-percussion-Wushu performance, followed by the Chinese folk dance “Sentiments of Love and Courage from Tang Dynasty – Yang Guifei.” Hong Kong sand-painting artist Hoi Chiu captivated guests with his mesmerizing sand art. A special duet of the Chinese folk song “Jasmine Flower” featured Ukrainian soprano Antonina Laskarzhevska and harpist Andrew Chan, who performed on a 60-year legacy harp, crafted from 23-karat gold and rare Ziricote wood. The grand finale was “Dance of the Golden Snake,” performed by a dynamic blend of Chinese and Western instruments, heralding the arrival of the Year of the Snake.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow (right) has been a long-time supporter of Yee Hong.
Renowned for its exquisite and unique culinary experience, this year’s Dragon Ball featured a special four-course dinner designed by the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, highlighting Lunar New Year symbols of good fortune and prosperity. In addition to an oyster bar, the pre-dinner reception offered a selection of culinary delights, including Blue Label whiskey from Johnnie Walker, famous Goubuli Baozi, Taiwanese milk tea from CHICHA San Chen, Asian-fusion meals from Mi BOWL Meal, and roast suckling pig from New Century Palace. The dessert buffet featured specialties from Marathon Café, Wonton Hut, Saint Germain Bakery, and Copper Tea, capping off the evening’s rich culinary journey.
This year’s gala was co-hosted by Elaine Lui (Lainey) and Winston Sih.
The gala also offered guests an exquisite and unique culinary experience, along with over 200 auction items to bid on.
Guests bid on exclusive live and silent auction items. Notable live auction items included a pair of business-class tickets from Air Canada to anywhere in the world, a $34,000 diamond bracelet donated by Royal de Versailles, a luxury massage chair donated by Furnish & Co., and Johnnie Walker’s limited-edition whiskey. There were over 200 silent auction items, including a “Snake” pure gold coin, RIMOWA luggage, restaurant gift certificates, premium wine sets, jewelry, and designer handbags.
Four lucky guests have brought home lucky draw prizes, valued at over $10,000, included contributions from Delta Air Lines, Sunbook.ca, RIMOWA, and Casper. In addition, the 2025 Dragon Raffle was launched at the gala. The grand prize is a brand-new Audi A3 Sedan, generously donated by Audi Uptown. Final sales deadline is Sunday, September 21, 2025 and tickets are available at $25 each.