Dragon Ball
by Ken Lee, Yee Hong Foundation and Les Richards, Ontario Shepherd

Celebrations were abounding on February 1st as the Chinese New Year was rung in. One of the most prestigious New Year celebrations was the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation's Charity Dragon Ball, which two Guelph-area shepherds and three of their sheep attended. The Yee Hong Foundation initially contacted the OSMA in November 2002, looking for three sheep to attend a fund raising promotion event at the CFMT Studio in Toronto. The OSMA contact Les Richards and Nina Nodwell, who agreed to attend this function on November 28th.

The organizers, pleased with the lambs that Les and Nina has supplied on November 28th, then arranged for them to provide three lambs at the Fund Raising Dragon Ball, during the Chinese New Year celebrations at the Toronto Convention Centre on February 1, 2003. On February 1st , Les, Nina and the lambs travelled to the Toronto Convention Centre where Les and Nina were provided with authentic Chinese costumes for the evening banquet. They were introduced to the photographer and the lambs were photographed with various groups and individuals from 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Dragon Ball 2003 was once again a resounding success. With spellbinding and breathtaking entertainment, offered by Cirque Sublime and Zero Gravity Circus; captivating performances delivered by world-renowned tenor, Ya-Lin Mario Zhang; and a sumptuous banquet befitting an emperor; it was an evening few will forget.

Known as one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations in all of North America, the 14th Annual Dragon Ball is a major fundraising gala benefiting the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care.

It was attended by dignitaries such as the Hon. Lieutenant Governor James K. Bartleman; the Hon. Jean Augustine, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women; the Hon.Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care; Jack Layton, leader of the federal NDP; Dalton McGuinty, Leader of the Official Opposition; Mayor Hazel
McCallion and Mayor Don Cousens. Also among the guests were corporate executives including Ray G. Young, VP and CFO, GM North America; Yvan Bourdeau, President and COO, BMO Nesbitt Burns; John H. Tory, Chairman and CEO, Rogers Cable Inc.; Boris Jackman, Executive VP, Petro-Canada; and Jim Ritchie, Senior VP Sales and Marketing, Tridel Corporation.

Apart for the important cause it supports, Dragon Ball hosted a spectacular New Year Celebration, that saw upwards of 1600 guests ring in the Year of the Ram. From the moment guests set foot in the MTCC, they could feel the high-spirited energy in the air. When they began their descent into the Grand Reception Hall, they were transported into another world - where they were treated to a gastronomic journey through a multicultural village, surrounded by the sights and sounds of a vibrant market and entertained by village performers.

This festive mood was carried into the Grand Hall where revelers enjoyed world-class entertainment, bid on rare auction items and savored a meal that would satisfy an Emperor.

After a truly celebratory and fun-filled evening, Yee Hong Centre managed to achieve its goal of raising $1.4 million for the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care. A most auspicious start to the year of the Ram.