Canadian ball upbeat on aid to orphans

Two-year-old orphan Fu Shan probably does not know what "Canada" is but since shortly after she was born she has been supported by Canadian companies and individuals.

She is now cared for in a nurturing environment at the Chenzhou Children's Welfare Institution in Chenzhou, Hunan province.

Her progress has been recorded by a trained and salaried nanny with entries like:

"Fu is nine months old and she has become very attached to me. When I call her from a distance, she turns her head to look for me. The girl has learned to grasp a small ball in her hands and has learned to stand by holding onto something. She loves snacks, such as candies and biscuits. Fu is a happy child."

The nanny was educated in infant care, early childhood education and personalized learning inside orphanage walls by the charity Half the Sky Foundation.

The joy of Fu's growth was shared by hundreds of Canadians and their friends in Beijing. It is heart-warming stories like this that once again brought people together to the 2009 Annual Canadian Charity Ball held recently in the capital city.

Since 2007 the annual event hosted by the Beijing Chapter of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) has been supporting orphans in the Chenzhou Children's Welfare Institution.

Proceeds from the 2009 charity ball again went to Half the Sky Foundation's center at Chenzhou, which aids three programs from the foundation, including the orphanage where Fu stays.

Founded in 1978, CCBC facilitates Sino-Canadian trading and investment, and assists its members to build business success in China.

The Canadian Charity Ball is the best-known social event among Beijing's Canadian community. As one of the ball's most loyal guests, Ambassador Robert G. Wright has attended the charity ball every year, but 2009 was his last, at least as ambassador, as he has since returned to Canada.

Wright told China Business Weekly that "the event offers an excellent opportunity to see old friends, to celebrate our connections to Canada, to have a nice dinner and dance and, most importantly, to raise money for charitable causes in China".

"The Canadian community in China is proud to be able to contribute to good causes through the CCBC annual ball," he said.

The Canadian Embassy started the annual ball in 1987. As it got bigger, CCBC Beijing Chapter took over its organization in 2007.

According to John Zhao, Beijing chapter manager of CCBC, the Canadian ball has always been organized around one simple theme - " do good and have fun".

"The Canadian community and businesses in Beijing are vibrant and strong. We recognize the importance of giving back to society and helping people in need," Zhao said. "Canadian companies are renowned for taking an active role in corporate social responsibility in China."

This year is a tough year for most companies, but the economic storm did not dampen donor spirit and willingness to help.

"We did see a slight drop in company donations, which is very understandable given the current economic climate," Zhao noted. "But we are very appreciative of our member companies' continued support to our charity initiative through the Canadian ball. Aside from corporate sponsorship, we have many individual Canadians and friends of Canada who come out to support the ball."

Andrew Cheung, president and CEO of Sun Life Everbright, a joint venture life insurance company between Canada's Sun Life Financial and China Everbright Group, said at the charity ball that his company has been a loyal supporter since 2007 as a platinum sponsor.

"Orphans are among the most vulnerable in the society, they need more care. Both the central government and local governments have policies on taking care of them and we believe it's a good donation choice," said Cheung, adding that offering orphans a normal childhood and opportunities for school will change the path of their lives and help them break out of the cycle of poverty.

Another sponsor of the ball is CTC Industries (Beijing) Ltd, a Canadian refrigeration technology company. Guy Cloutier, its chairman and CEO, said that he is looking forward to contributing more next year.

"I will collaborate next year on new projects with a person I met tonight from a Chinese charity organization," he said at the ball. "The current economic situation is tough, but our charitable projects in China are only at the beginning stage. I will do it step by step next year."

Individual volunteers also contribute to the event by donating their time and expertise.

Darlene MacNeill, a 28-year-old Canadian working at Deloitte as a senior tax consultant, voluntarily helped with all aspects of organizing the event.

"I believe the event raises not only money but also awareness for charity. As a committee member I am able to assist in connecting the business community together and strengthen ties between the Chinese and the Canadian people, which is meaningful," she said.

(China Daily 06/15/2009 page8)