For Immediate Release
July 19, 2009

Walk with the Dragon
Walk to Support the Community

Vancouver – Today the 24th annual S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Walk with the Dragon, hosted by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation, was successfully held at Lumbermen’s Arch in Stanley Park. 

The event raised an astounding amount of $ 416,000, an accomplishment made possible by the generous support and participation of the community.  Proceeds from the Walk will directly benefit S.U.C.C.E.S.S. services and programs for youth, women, seniors and families.

Close to 12,000 people of all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds, including over 300 teams from community organizations, public and private corporations, participated in the event.  

“Under the current global recession, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation is in even more dire need of the community’s support and encouragement to raise funds for S.U.C.C.E.S.S.,” Betty Funston, Chair of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation, told the media. “This year we have organized a series of companion events such as the Martial Arts Expo, Dragon Idol and Anthony Lun Charity Concert, to raise the Walk’s awareness and revenue.”

Since 1986, the annual S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Walk with the Dragon has evolved into one of the largest community-based fundraising events in Metro Vancouver to promote health, multiculturalism and community participation.  During the past 23 years, over 250,000 participants attended the annual Walk and raised over $9.5 million towards the development and continuance of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. community services and programs that are not funded or under-funded by the government.  

As usual, Walk 2009 was well attended by elected officials and community leaders.  Over 70 dignitaries, such as Hon. James Moore, representative of Premier Steven Harper, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Hon. Colin Hansen, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier of British Columbia and His Worship Gregor Robertson, Mayor of City of Vancouver, marched to the Dragon to show their support to this fundraising and carnival event. 

A special presentation was made by Mr. Kin Hung Leung, VP Ontario Operations and Co-Founder of Kin’s Farm Market in the form of a $100,000 cheque to the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation Endownement Fund.

The event was also celebrated with live entertainment, games and food booths.  One of the highlights of the day was the 2009 S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Dragon Idol Final Competition.  After exciting performances from the two Dragon Idol finalists, David Zhang was crowned the 2009 S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Dragon Idol.  David will assume the duties of Official Ambassador for the 2010 S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Walk with the Dragon.

Incorporated in December 2001, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation is a charitable foundation responsible for raising funds for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and its affiliated organizations to support their mandates for the betterment of the community. For more details, please visit http://www.successfoundation.ca/  

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