Canadians for Tsunami Relief: Over A Million Raised

Following is the Press Release from Canadians for Tsunami Relief... as of this afternoon.

News Release
For Immediate Release

Canadians for Tsunami Relief - Over A Million Raised

January 10, 2005 (TORONTO) - Over a million was raised from the weekend fundraising campaign organized by Canadians for Tsunami Relief (C.T.R.). Government of Canada's dollar-for-dollar donation matching program broke the million mark for this campaign by matching the $620,298.43 collected from various organizations, donation booths at over a dozen local malls and a multicultural TV appeal that ran for a total of 28 hours, from 10:00 a.m. to midnight on both Satuday and Sunday in major mainstream and ethnic media outlets, while 200 phone lines were open during the appeal with six shifts of volunteers, accounting for over 1,200 individuals, speaking a total of more than 10 languages receiving calls at 10 Borough Drive, Scarborough.

Dr. Joseph Y.K. Wong, Chair of C.T.R., is “indeed overwhelmed by the phenomenal results and amazing support received only one week after the organization’s formation. Our media friends contributed to the campaign’s success by producing excellent multicultural programming and promotions. Local organizations demonstrated their understanding for national and international needs by donating to both local and international causes. More than 200 volunteers managed donation booths at local malls, and over 1,500 individuals showed up at the call centre to help - a few hundred in excess of what was required and could be accommodated. Please accept my more sincere gratitude and apologies to those whose efforts were not 100% utilized.”

After Rogers Media Network set an excellent example on Friday, January 7, 2005, by donating $150,000 to kick off the fundraising campaign through all its media outlets, C.T.R. received over a dozen more organizational pledges. C.T.R. urges all other organizations to make a pledge to C.T.R. to help. TD Canada Trust branches across Canada still welcome donations through cheques payable to “C.T.R.” or deposits into transit 532, account 521-1313.

C.T.R. is grateful for the media support that has made this campaign a success. Rogers Media Network aired a two-hour multicultural TV appeal Sunday evening at OMNI 1 & 2, while CHIN International, Fairchild Television, Fairchild Radio, Ridge Radio in Oakville, and Filipino radio station Padyo Pinoy ran promotional spots throughout the weekend to promote C.T.R. fundraising initiatives and donation methods. TorontoTV/Maxibyte Inc. also made the January 5 campaign launch press conference available for viewing on Channel 3 at www.torontotv.org.

50% of the total proceeds raised by C.T.R. will go to the Canadian Red Cross, while the other 50% will go to Oxfam Canada. C.T.R. is a registered non-profit organization formed by local community organizations to raise funds for disaster relief of the tsunami crisis in South Asia.


Anna Victoria Wong
Media Relations & External Communications
Canadians for Tsunami Relief
(416) 321-0777 ext. 1840
anna.wong@yeehong.com


Backgrounder

Canadians for Tsunami Relief – Organizational Structure

Chair
Dr. Joseph Y.K. Wong

Vice Chairs
Anny Chow, Gloria Fung, Lawrence Yu

Treasurer
David Hui

Executive Committee Spokesperson
Pauline Tong

Telethon & Volunteer Recruitment Committee Coordinator
Miranda Mak

Telethon & Volunteer Recruitment Committee Spokesperson
Elisabeth Sulistio

Street/Mall Donation Committee Spokesperson
Eric Li


Supporting Organizations

Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at York University
Bell Canada
Buddha’s Light International Association
Canada-Hong Kong Link (CHKL)
Canada-Hong Kong Link - Vision Youth
Canada-Shanghai Business Association
Canadian Chinese Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Association
Canadians Concerned about Ethnic Violence in Indonesia (CCEVI)
Canadians Multicultural Links Association
Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) Toronto Chapter
Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) York Region Chapter
Chinese Canadian Political Awareness Promoter
Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC)
Chinese Professional Women of Canada
Dattan International Inc.
Japanese Cultural Centre
Karuna Community Services of the Buddhist Communities of Greater Toronto
Korean Canadian Cultural Association of GTA
Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals and Businesses (CPB)
Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church
New Beginnings/ Mississauga Library System
North Chinese Community of Canada
Ontario Indonesian Chinese Association (OICA)
Rotary Club of York
Serviam Apostolate
Sing Fai Sports Club
Sound Of Hope
The Canadian Chinese Finance Association
The United Nations Association in Canada, Toronto Region Branch
Toronto TV. Org
United Indonesian Canadian Society (UNICAS)
University of Toronto Association of Chinese Students and Scholars
Yan Yan Tang
Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care
Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation
York Central Chinese Canadian Association (YCCCA)


Donation Outlets – Retailers, Local Malls and Shopping Centres

New Kennedy Square - 8360 Kennedy Road, Markham
Brampton Kennedy Square - 50 Kennedy Road South, Brampton
Market Village – 4350 Steeles Avenue East, Markham
Dragon City - 280 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Dragon Centre - 23 Glen Watford Drive, Scarborough
Victoria Business Centre - 3601 Victoria Park, Scarborough
Chinatown Centre - 222 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
First Markham Place – 3229 Hwy 7 East, Markham
Centre Point Mall - 6422 Yonge Street, North York
Pacific Link at Markville Mall - 5000 Highway 7, Markham
Pacific Link at Time Square - Hwy 7 East & Leslie, Richmond Hill
Pacific Link at Promenade Mall - 1 Promenade Circle, Thornhill
Pacific Link at Woodside Square - 1571 Sandhurst Circle, Scarborough
Pacific Link at Pacific Mall - 4300 Steeles Avenue East, Markham


Break Down of Organizational Pledges

Ellen’s Health Food ~ $250,000
Rogers Media Network ~ $150,000
Buddha’s Light International Association of Toronto ~ $10,000
Macrobian Club ~ $4,660
Chinese Professionals Association of Canada ~ $4,000
Canada-Hong Kong Link ~ $2,000
Evergreen ~ $2,000
Mississauga Yee Hong ~ $1,500
Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals & Businesses ~ $1,000
Villa Elegance ~ $1,000
Growell Development Partners Inc. ~ $1,000
Master Tang ~ $980
Mr. Tony Wong, MPP, Markham ~ $600


Mall-Based Collection

Total amount of money collected for Saturday & Sunday $34,553.44

Among all 14 malls, New Kennedy Square in Markham was the one that raised the highest amount, $6,740.19. C.T.R.’s appreciation goes to Ms. Amy Lam of T & Y Property Management Inc. for their help with soliciting donations from stores and businesses.