The 37th Dragon Ball, presented by Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, was held on Saturday at the Automotive Building, Exhibition Place, bringing together over a thousand philanthropists, dignitaries, and business and community leaders to welcome the Lunar New Year and support Yee Hong’s senior services and expansion of long-term care facilities.
Tickets for this year’s gala sold out well in advance, reflecting the enduring appeal of Dragon Ball as one of Toronto’s largest and most anticipated Lunar New Year charity galas. This year, proceeds from the gala will support the construction of Yee Hong’s newest facility, Yee Hong Ng Siu Chan Centre, which is nearing completion, with exterior work almost finished and interior construction well underway. The first 224 residents are expected to move in this fall.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford delivered speech in support of Dragon Ball 2026.
Representatives from the three levels of the Government attending the event included MP Maggie Chi, MP Vincent Ho, MP Jean Yip, MP Michael Ma, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto LUO Weidong, and Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) Bill Wong, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Richmond Hill Mayor David West, underscoring widespread recognition of Yee Hong’s contributions to the community.
Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta and Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho were in attendance and delivered speeches at the gala.
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 Yee Hong Foundation, expressed his gratitude: “This year’s Dragon Ball coincided with Valentine’s Day, a day symbolizing love and commitment. Tonight, we not only celebrate the love for our partners but also honour the care and dedication we extend to our seniors. For 37 years, Yee Hong has been guided by a steadfast commitment to the community and to every senior in our care. Your generous support ensures that seniors can enjoy our care with dignity, warmth, and companionship.”
Stephen Siu, President of Yee Hong Foundation, added, “For over three decades, Dragon Ball has brought together donors, sponsors, and community leaders, celebrating Yee Hong’s growth and its enduring impact on the community. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s continued support, which enables us to provide meaningful services to seniors year after year.” He also highlighted that, over its 37 years of history, Dragon Ball has raised more than $30 million for the Yee Hong community.
The evening also featured the presentation of the Yee Hong Foundation Golden Achievement Award, honouring three outstanding supporters whose longstanding dedication has played a vital role in Yee Hong’s growth and success. The award recipients include Dragon Ball 2026 Chairperson and Honourary Patron David Maung, and gala’s Honourary Co-Chairs Kenny Wan and Steven Sun. Their unwavering commitment and generous contributions over the years have made a lasting impact on the Foundation and the seniors.
David Maung has devoted more than three decades to supporting community services and healthcare institutions across Canada, including Scarborough Health Network and Yee Hong Peter K Kwok Hospice, where several facilities proudly bear his and his family names in recognition of his generosity. As Chairperson of Dragon Ball 2026, he worked closely with the Foundation team to deliver a record-setting gala, marking a significant milestone for the event.
Kenny Wan is respected for both his professional achievements and his deep commitment to philanthropy. Over the past decade, he has focused much of his volunteer work in healthcare, championing greater engagement and support within the Chinese Canadian community. A longtime Dragon Ball Co-Chair, he helped Yee Hong Foundation raise more than $1 million in the past year alone.
Under Steven Sun’s leadership, the Canada-China Realty Professional Association has become a powerful force in rallying support for Yee Hong. Representing hundreds of companies and more than 8,000 professionals, the association mobilizes business leaders to advance community causes. Steven is currently fulfilling his remarkable $1 million pledge in support of Yee Hong’s fifth long-term care home in Scarborough, demonstrating his enduring commitment to seniors’ well-being.
Beyond their active involvement in Yee Hong’s fundraising initiatives, the three honourees have led by example in inspiring community participation. Their generosity and leadership embody the spirit of compassion and responsibility that defines Yee Hong’s mission.
The evening’s entertainment featured an array of performances, starting with a dynamic modern dragon and “Qilin” dance by Wushu Project, followed by a cultural folk dance, “Galloping Toward Triumph”, presented by the Chinese Collective Arts Association, welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse. Brio, an a cappella group from Hong Kong, delighted guests with intricate and lively vocal arrangements, including familiar romantic classics.
The Dragon Ball concluded with a fantastic performance by award-winning Canadian singer Carla Sacco with songs like “Because You Loved Me” and “My Heart Will Go On”. The gala thrilled the audience with a truly unique and immersive experience, as the central stage and surrounding LED screens allowed all guests to fully experience every spectacular moment on stage.
Yee Hong Foundation honoured three outstanding supporters with the “Golden Achievement Award.” The recipients were Dragon Ball 2026 Chairperson and Honourary Patron David Maung (second from right), and the gala’s Honourary Co-Chairs Kenny Wan (third from right) and Steven Sun (third from left).
This year’s Dragon Ball also showcased a refined culinary experience. Chef Trevor Lui, the gala’s Culinary Ambassador, presented specialty dishes at the pre-dinner reception with his brand Highbell Hospitality. The reception also featured an oyster bar and offerings from Auric King, Grandeur Palace, Metamorphosis Coffee Experience, Gushi Japanese Street Food, Chao Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant, Petit Noodle, and creative Filipino cuisine from Kumain Kitchen.
Guests were also treated to a Johnnie Walker whisky tasting experience. The four-course dinner, crafted specifically for the Lunar New Year by Automotive Building, blended festive symbols with innovative flavours. The dessert buffet featured Marathon Café, Saint Germain Bakery, and Asian-style ”Wasabi” ice cream from One Shot Ice Cream, capping off the evening with a sweet finale.
Dragon Ball 2026’s Gala Associate Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals & Businesses made a $50,000 donation to Yee Hong Foundation at the gala.
Live and silent auctions kept the guests engaged throughout the night. Notable live auction items included a pair of business-class tickets from Air Canada to anywhere in the world, Johnnie Walker limited-edition whisky, a pair of Royal de Versailles blue topaz earrings, and rare Chinese baijiu collections from Baiwan Wines Inc. Silent auction highlights included Year of the Horse pure gold coin, restaurant gift certificates, premium wine sets, jewelry, and designer items, totaling nearly 200 exquisite pieces. Three lucky guests also won prizes valued over $10,000 from Delta Air Lines, Ali Travel, and RIMOWA luggage.
The launch of the 2026 Dragon Raffle later in the year was announced at the gala, with the grand prize being a brand-new Audi A3 Sedan, generously donated by Audi Uptown.
Dragon Ball 2026’s central stage offered guests an immersive experience. The program started with a dynamic modern dragon and “Qilin” dance by Wushu Project.
Young dancers of the Chinese Collective Arts Association presented a cultural folk dance, “Galloping Toward Triumph.”
The gala was proudly supported by more than 30 generous corporate sponsors and partners.
The Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation is the fundraising, communications and public relations arm of the Yee Hong community, raising funds for operational expenses of Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care and capital resources to build new facilities. Please visit yeehong.com/foundation for details.
