FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 7, 2010

Walk for fun, join us on Sunday July 11

Vancouver, BC – The annual S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Walk with the Dragon, organized by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation, returns to Vancouver’s scenic Stanley Park on Sunday, July 11 from 8:30am to 2:30pm.  With over 13,000 participants, this annual walkathon is one of the largest community fundraising events in Metro Vancouver.  It also consists of a carnival and stage entertainment that promotes health, multiculturalism and community participation.

“This year, we are celebrating our 25th year in Stanley Park.  Our fundraising target is $400,000.  Proceeds will allow S.U.C.C.E.S.S. to continue to provide critical non-funded and under-funded programs and services for those in need in the Metro Vancouver community, particularly seniors, women, youths, and families,” said Joann Wong-Bittle, Ricky Wu and Sing Yeo, Co-Chairs of the 2010 S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Walk with the Dragon.   

On event day, families and groups are invited to follow the 100-foot colourful S.U.C.C.E.S.S. dragon for the 7km walk around the Stanley Park seawall.  Fitness, fun and philanthropy come together to make it a fun outing for families and friends.

“Although the majority of the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. operating budget comes from grants of various levels of government, there is still the need to raise the remaining balance from the community through fundraising activities, such as Walk with the Dragon” Maggie Ip, Chair of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation stated.  “In the current economic climate, we have to work doubly hard in order to reach our fundraising goal.  This year, we will continue with our Lucky Dragon Packet sale at the Walk.  Participants of the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Youth Leadership Millennium Program will go out in full force and act as our Lucky Dragon Ambassadors.  The packets are $5 each or $10 for 3 with each packet guaranteed to win a prize.” 

Recognized as one of the largest social service providers in Canada and a multicultural, multi-service agency, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., with over 400 staff and 1,600 active volunteers, delivers a wide array of services in the areas of settlement, employment, health and housing, business, economic and community development.

In their remarks, Official Walk T-shirt Sponsor, HSBC Bank Canada and Water Station Sponsor, Vancity urged the community to follow their lead and support the Walk by collecting pledges and joining the event on July 11.

Support Walk 2010 and sign up online at http://www.successfoundation.ca/ to collect pledges from friends and families anywhere in the world.  Pledge forms are also available at all S.U.C.C.E.S.S. offices and selected branches of major financial institutions, including BMO Bank of Montreal (Chinatown Branch), CIBC (Chinatown Branch), HSBC Bank Canada, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank, TD Canada Trust and Vancity.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation, incorporated in December 2001, 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: www.successfoundation.ca

Your support gives
Youths a chance to make a difference in the future,
Seniors a sense of belonging and love,
Women a sense of accomplishment and independence,
Families a sense of happiness and support.

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