LONDON, ON. February 3, 2016. This Saturday February 6th, the stage will be set at the London Convention Centre for the London community to help ring in the year of the monkey. Hosted by the Chinese Canadian National Council - London Chapter, the Dragon Gala is the annual celebration of the Chinese New Year and fundraiser.

​This year's silent auction and raffle proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association in support of programs and services delivered in London. The Dragon Gala has a minimum goal of raising $10,000 for its choice charity partner.

With an anticipated guest list of over 650, the gala will also feature its first ever "Rise with the Dragon" competition in partnership with Fanshawe College's Culinary Program. Guests of the gala will be able to sample hors d'oeuvres prepared by the 5 qualifying student teams and vote for their favourite. The winning team will be announced at the gala.

"We're really looking forward to offering this new experience to our guests this year," said Fran Tran, Chair of the Dragon Gala and CCNC-LC Board of Directors. "Every year we're looking to bring the gala to new heights and I think this year, under the guidance and support of our Honorary Gala Chair Henry Poon, we've done that."

For more information about the Dragon Gala, please visit www.dragongala.com. For information about CCNC-London Chapter, please visit www.londonccnc.com or by contacting [email protected] or 519-451-0760.

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LONDON, ONTARIO – December 01, 2015 – marks the official launch of the Dragon Gala, the biggest Chinese New Year Celebration and fundraising event in London, Ontario taking place on February 6th, 2016. Honorable guests will have a chance to taste the Gala menu prepared by Chef David Van Eldik of London Convention Centre.

On the guest list are the Gala Gold Sponsors: Adamas Group, CIBC Wood Gundy and White Oaks Mall; Silver Sponsors include – Cohen Highley Lawyers, Lexus of London and TD Bank; Bronze Sponsors include Burwell Auto Body, London Convention Centre and Western Libraries, while Media Sponsors include CTV and Virgin Radio.

​Hosted by the Chinese Canadian National Council – London Chapter, the Dragon Gala has combined social fun with fundraising efforts in support of worthwhile charities in previous years. “This is really a win-win-win all around,” said Fran Tran, Chair of both the 2016 Dragon Gala and CCNC-LC Board of Directors. “It’s another way the Dragon Gala has been working to build the bridge and connections between businesses, charities and our community, so we’re excited to see the synergy that’s happening with this year’s Gala.”

Beginning with a cocktail reception at the Gala entitled “Rise of the Dragon”, five culinary teams consisting of Fanshawe College’s Culinary Program students will skillfully prepare 5 of their qualifying hors d’oeuvres to allow Gala patrons to vote for their favorite appetizer with the winning team announced later in the program. The evening will follow with fusion Chinese cuisine, silent auction and cultural entertainment. The City of London will come together to celebrate the Year of the Monkey at the London Convention Centre on Saturday February 6th 2016. By popular request, an after dinner dance is added for those who wish to stay and party.

760 tickets were sold out last year and many community groups are looking forward to joining the celebration for a good cause.

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 London, ON - April 9, 2014 - This weekend marks the 39th Annual Ontario Electrical Utility Hockey Tournament sponsored by Power Workersʼ Union and Real Clean Gear. The tournament is open to the public (free admission) and will be taking place at the Western Fair SportsPlex.

Beginning with only six teams, the first tournament was hosted by the Lambton Generating Station in Sarnia. Today, the tournament runs 112 games providing an opportunity for Electrical Utility Companies to participate in a weekend of hockey and renew friendships with other employees they have worked or grown up with. The top three teams from this tournament are invited to the Canadian Electric Hockey Tournament, an event that brings hockey teams from across Canada to a different province each year.

ʺEach year we choose a volunteer charity that helps underprivileged young children participate in sports programs,ʺ says Mike McElwain, tournament director. ʺKidSport has proven to be a huge help with our plans for the tournament, and we know their good work will be further enhanced by any monies raised. ʺ The tournament with support by the Power Workersʼ Union, is aiming to raise $10,000 for KidSport London, a local chapter dedicated to raising funds and helping children in the community gain access to organized sport.

There are 62 teams participating from across Ontario including Windsor, Sarnia, North Bay, Sudbury, Ottawa, Kingston and all spots in between representing approximately 12 different utility companies.

WHERE:  Sports Centre at the Western Fair District, 316 Rectory Street, London, ON

WHEN:  Friday April 11, 2014 – Games start at 2:30pm and runs through until Sunday April 13, 2014 at 5pm

Cheque presentation to take place on Saturday April 12, 2014 at 5:30pm at the Sports Centre, Western Fair District.

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LONDON, ON. February 4, 2014. Celebrating the Year of the Horse – the London Convention Centre will see a crowd of over 750 guests attending the annual Dragon Gala hosted by the Chinese Canadian National Council – London Chapter (CCNC-LC).

On February 8, 2014 guests will be treated to a dinner consisting of Chinese fare traditional to a Chinese New Year meal as well as delicious fusion cuisine creations by David Van Eldik, Executive Chef at the London Convention Centre. The evening will also consist of a variety of performances from vocal acts to folk dances, a special performance by Orchestra London as well as a silent and live auction.

“We’re days away from the event and are very pleased with how everything is coming together,” said Henry Poon, Chair of the Dragon Gala Committee. “We’re happy to be celebrating the Chinese New Year with the community and in turn also helping another community.” Poon is referring to a decision made by the CCNC-LC Board of Directors to donate a portion of the proceeds to support the Philippines Typhoon Relief Fund.

Kicking off the evening will be the opening ceremonies in which the traditional Lion Dance will take place at 7pm. Members of the community got a glimpse of what the Lion Dance is when they attended the White Oaks Mall Chinese New Year celebration last Saturday. There were approximately several hundred who made their way to see the celebration despite the weather. For more information about the gala please visit www.dragongala.com.

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LONDON, ON. November 5, 2013. There’s a history in London that many may not know about. Well, that’s about to change with the documentary, The Light at the End of the Tunnel, being filmed by local filmmakers Steve Charles and Mark Drewe. Focusing on local residents of the 1800s, the documentary will unearth how London came to be the multicultural and vibrant city it is today.

On Friday November 15th at 7pm a fundraiser called Corks & Kegs will be taking place to not only inform guests of the project, but to also raise funds for both the documentary as well as the African Methodist Episcopal Church which is needing to relocate its premises. “The film is a deep, personal journey into the stories of some of the first minority settlers to the area and impact they had on the ideals of Canadian multiculturalism,” commented Charles and Drewe, the film’s co-directors and co-producers.

The beer and wine tasting event will be held at the Downtown Yoga Studio located at 236 Dundas Street featuring two floors of delicious food prepared by Organics on the Move, specially selected beer and wine supplied by Railway City Brewing Co and Quai du Vin Estate Winery, respectively, as well as plenty of displays for guests to interact with. “Corks and Kegs [the event] is a kick-off party so the party can learn about the film’s message while having fun and supporting the community,” says Drewe. Special guests will be on hand to speak at the event.

Tickets for the November 15th Corks & Kegs event are available now for $45 through the documentary website or at one of the participating sites. For more information about the documentary, the event and tickets please visit www.thelightdoc.ca.

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STRATHROY, ON. October 18, 2013. Next week hosts an opportunity for the local residents to not only do that last clean out of the season, but know that their unwanted electronics (aka e-waste) will in turn benefit their community. Friday October 25th kicks off a 3 day event where Strathroy residents can bring in their old, obsolete and unwanted electronics for recycling with the goal of diverting this e-waste from landfills and providing a donation to SMGH Auxiliary from the collected e-waste. "This is the first time E-Recycling has been part of SMGH Auxiliary's fundraising events. The Auxiliary members are very supportive of this new recycling fundraiser, as recycling has become an important part of our daily lives,” says Karrin Kimberley, SMGH Auxiliary President. “One of the most difficult items to dispose of is electronics and this fundraiser gives many people an accessible drop off center, which not only helps them clean up: but, helps their Community Hospital at the same time. We’re looking forward to a very successful E-Recycling event this October with hopes to continue this event as a yearly fundraising endeavor."

Spearheaded by entrepreneur, Edward Greenwood at eCycle Ontario ERC, the event will run starting Friday October 25 – Sunday October 27 from 9am-dusk each day at the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH) front south parking lot located on Carrie Street. “It’s an easy way for people in the community to give back and get rid of any unwanted electronics,” said Greenwood. “The proceeds from the 3 day event will be donated to Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Auxiliary so we’re hoping to get as many people out as possible to participate, make use of this free service and help the hospital purchase new equipment to better serve its community.” On top of recycling e-waste responsibly, event day participants are eligible for a prize giveaway sponsored by Sun Life Financial.

In preparation for the event, eCycle Ontario ERC is reminding individuals to clear their electronic devices of any personal data before donating. For individuals who forget or are unable to do so, there will be a free data destruction service available on-site during the 3 day event. A group of volunteers from eCycle ERC and Sun Life Financial will be on-site to help unload old and unwanted electronics from vehicles. For those who cannot transport their unwanted electronics to SMGH, a free pick-up service will be available for local residents leading up the event from October 18-24. Please visit www.ecycleontario.com to book a pick-up time.

For more information about the event please visit www.ecycleontario.com or www.smghfoundation.com under News & Events.

E-Waste Facts (from eCycle Pledge at RecycleYourElectronics.ca and Ontario Electronic Stewardship):

·         In 2011, 90% of Ontarian individuals indicated they had at least one out-of-use device.

·         Ontarians own 38% of devices in Canada or 12,035,696 devices

·         As of September 2012, one tonne of electronic waste is the equivalent of: 37 TVs, 135 desktops, 3,333 computer keyboards, or 8,000 cell phones http://www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca/sites/all/files/pdf/press/OES-Fact-Sheet.pdf

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7th Annual Little Black Dress Event Gets A Roaring Re-Boot

LONDON, ON, September 4, 2013. It’s lucky number seven for the annual Little Black Dress Event with a theme that will give the evening a roaring re-boot. On Saturday September 21, 2013, the event will be returning to the London Music Hall at 185 Queens Ave, where organizers and volunteers will be sprinkling the newly renovated venue with some colour and charm of a bygone era captured so vividly in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, Great Gatsby.

This year also marks the support of another local charity for the Little Black Dress Event, that charity being the Tara “Boom” Houston Children’s Foundation. Affectionately known as “Taraboom,” the foundation was established in 2003 as a living legacy to Scott and Sheri Houston’s daughter, Tara, who at the age of seven lost her fight to a terminal brain stem tumour. “Taraboom” helps to improve the lives of families whose children have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. “We were ecstatic to have been approached,” said Sheri. “We’re hoping the Little Black Dress Event can help us build an awareness of the Tara “Boom” Houston Children’s Foundation – who we are and what we can do.”

Armed with a rejuvenated venue and two charitable organizations, Melissa Whittle, managing partner of the event, said she’s excited for this year’s Little Black Dress. “We’ve got some great energy with this year’s event – a bigger venue, fun theme and another local charity to support,” said Whittle. “We thought with the success of the event so far, why not share the wealth if it’s going right back into our community?” The event, of course, wouldn’t have its continued success if it weren’t for the countless volunteers and support of the Nova Vita Hair & Esthetics staff, clients and friends who have stood behind the event from day one.

A portion of the proceeds will still go to the long standing charitable beneficiary of the Little Black Dress Event - Wellspring London & Region. Tickets are on sale now $40 in advance and can be purchased at Nova Vita Hair Studio & Esthetics located at 740 Richmond Street, or $50 at the door if available. For more information please visit www.littleblackdressevent.ca.

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