Mon Sheong PaddleBears 2013 Season

As summer draws to its end, unfortunately so does the dragon boat season for Mon Sheong's dragon boat team, PaddleBears. The season started off in mid-February with land practices every weekend held at the Mon Sheong McNicoll location's volunteer centre. After months of gruelling land practice, by May we were finally able to begin water practices at Sunnyside Paddling Club.

This season the team participated in 3 races - Pickering Dragon Boat Challenge, Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, and the Toronto Cup. Although the team is created for recreational purposes, everyone gave each and every practice and race their all in hopes to bring home the gold medal. And all our hard work and dedication paid off as we won silver in Division P for 500m at the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival! 

The team posing for at the Centre island award ceremony

The team as a whole has grown a lot from the beginning where most of us were unfamiliar with each other, but now we are close enough that we frequently have outings together outside of practice times such as meals after practices, team BBQs at Miliken Park, and board games day. In the fall we are expecting to hold a team potluck too! I think what makes the PaddleBears strong is the team's bond. 

Group advertising at the Vita booth at Centre Island

That and the shared determination in never giving up. In the qualifying heat of the Toronto Cup our boat capsized resulting us in dead last. But that didn't stop our spirits and we continued on trying despite the unbalanced weight distribution and the wavy waters. In the end, we managed to win in the Division B Finals with a time of 1:09 for 200m. 

Team photo right before dunking our captain Simon in the lake. 

All in all, it has been an amazing season and hope to see everyone back next year! We always welcome new members as well, so keep an eye out for when the next season begins : ) 


-Whitney

DISCOVER 2013 Information Session & Launch Party

Hi Everyone,

You are cordially invited to attend the inaugural public information session and launch party for DISCOVER 2013 on:

Sunday, November 18th, 2012
3:00PM to 5:00PM
Mon Sheong Long Term Care Center
2030 McNicoll Ave, Scarborough, M1V 5P4

* Light refreshments will be served

Formerly known as Trip-to-China, DISCOVER 2013 is a six month youth enrichment program for talented individuals with Chinese heritage, aged 18-30. The purpose of the program is to teach the values of volunteerism and leadership through the Mon Sheong Philosophy of kindness, determination and generosity. Through a six month intensive but balanced curriculum of structured classes, engaging seminars and self-exploration, the youth are developed both professionally and personally. We focus on core fundamentals like leadership, communications, and career building, while teaching the youth their Chinese roots through language classes, cultural workshops, and much more. Upon completion of the six month program, the youth are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embark on a cultural excursion to China, where they can visit, experience and most importantly discover China, first-hand.

The DISCOVER 2013 information session & launch party is open to the public. Anyone and everyone is invited to come. Whether you're an interested candidate for the program yourself or you're an interested parent, come join us and meet the DISCOVER Organizing Committee who will be providing more details and happy to answer any questions.

Regards,
DISCOVER 2013 Organizing Committee

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 2011

Hi everyone,

Happy Easter holidays. Hope everyone is well, especially those who are finishing their term this month. Key highlights from the two events that happened just past Saturday.

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner:
Added new this year to the program, there was a talent show competition between all the volunteer groups in Mon Sheong Foundation. Dan and Audrey led the YG team and sang "Right Here Waiting for You". Competing with 5 other groups, we came in 3rd place and won a red pocket for the team. First runner up was the SCLTC volunteers that sang, "We Are the World. Their performance was very inspiring and enchanting. They showed team work and love for those who are suffering around the world - not mentioning the cute paper hearts they were waving.

After the volunteer appreciation dinner, we organized a social after-party for all the volunteers that have volunteered for MS to gather in a cozy bunch and have fun! We went to Take One Kareoke and sang our voice out! For those who were shy and did not sing, it was a little reunion for the folks. it was a successful event, filled with entertainment, food and drinks. We are looking forward to organize another social very soon!! Stay tuned!

If you have any suggestions for events, please feel free to contact me or our executive team.

Shirley Ng
Production/ Media Director

Are you ready for TRIP TO CHINA ?!!??!?

Are you looking for ways to get involved this summer? Want to travel?

Mon Sheong Youth Group is proud to launch the 3rd annual Trip to China 2011: Expand your Horizons, an educational and rewarding exploration of China for Chinese Canadians. Join us with 19 other students as we embark on an opportunity of a lifetime on a heavily subsidized trip taking place from August 18th to September 1st, 2011. You’ll have the opportunity to visit Shanghai, Xian, Jinan, province of Shandong and Beijing, where you will be led through a tour of its rich culture and magnificent sites. Besides visiting historical landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, you will also get a chance to savour culinary delights as well as engage with the community through visiting a senior home. You will also develop keen business skills through our development challenge, designed to help with the restoration of the Lord Mengchang Mausoleum site. The trip will be 15 days you'll never forget!

If you can respond YES to the following...

* Chinese Canadian Citizen

* Between the ages of 18 - 30

* Interested in connecting with your heritage

* Active member in the community with experience in volunteer or leadership roles

... you should consider applying! For only $2,100, you'll be covered for a round trip flight, accommodations, meals, transportation between cities and much more. What else are you waiting for?

Applications are NOW OPEN until April 18th at 11:59pm EST. Access the Trip to China 2011 Application form here!

We look forward to seeing your applications! Visit our website or “like” us on Facebook to follow our updates.

T2C 2011 Organizing Committee Email: triptochina2011@gmail.com Website: http://msf-t2c.info Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/triptochina

Golden Seniors Celebration 2011

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is doing well from our last post. Just want to give you guys some recaps of our last event.

Golden Seniors Night was very successful! This year our event was hosted at MEC Markham Event Center, and we had over 800 guests that night!

We started off with the traditional lion dance and they eye dotting ceremony and followed with many featured performances. I must say I was most amazed by the Face Changing performance by Harry Hu. It was blasting!!

This year our youth group volunteers were split in five teams.

• Registration
• Production 
• Hall Team 
• Silent Auction 
• Multimedia 

Our traditional GSC program - the two eldest seniors were Mr. Wong, 103 and Mrs. Tsui, 104 this year! They were very energetic and full of enthusiasm! They were awarded with a calligraphy and gold bottles representing health and joy.

The photo booth was also new this year. Families with three generations attending the event were eligible for a free picture at the booth by a professional photographer. The line up was long, but everyone enjoyed this precious photo time to treasure the joy!  

If you cannot make it this year, we hope we can see you out next year!



Upcoming events:
LTC volunteers open house - April 9, 10  (an open house for those who are interested in learning more about taking care of the elders)
Video editing sessions - TBD

Toastmasters

Last weekend's Session 7 of our Toastmasters series was filled with talented and experienced members from a few different Toastmaster clubs. The session was led by Jacqueline Roberts, and was joined by Mr. Shishir Lakani, Mr. Milton Jiang, Ms. Visda Vokhshoori and other members from the Destiny's Toastmasters (http://destinytm.freetoasthost.org/).

The series of 8 is coming to an end next month where we call on all the past participants and contributors for a small get together in MS Court Volunteer Center.  Certificates will be handed out to our Youth Group members who have successfully attended all the sessions.  All others are welcomed.

Look forward to seeing all the Toastmasters again on March 12th.

Cheers,
Ron Kwok
President

Close-Knit: Stitching the Gap

We have just concluded the first ever Close-Knit: Stitching the Gap (Fundraising Event) organized by the MS Youth Group. The event started at 10am and just ended two hours ago. We would like to thank everyone who participated at the event and helped out in one way or another. We would also like to thank Canada Computers for sponsoring Close-Knit.

The event was a rounding success as over 100 people signed up to participate in the scarf making experience. Contributors of all gender and ages came out to support the worthwhile cause.

The goal of the event was to knit 457 scarves for the residents from all three MS long-term care centres. All proceeds raised from Close-Knit will be used to support the Foundation’s mission of “Caring for the Elderly and Nurturing the Youth”. With your continuing support, we would like to make Close-Knit: Stitching the Gap an annual event. Once again, thank you to everyone who supported and participated in the event. Hope to see you all again next year.

-Ivan Lee

updated on January 30, 2011 - Great work for everyone out there yesterday!!! We raised around $6,000!!! Thank you so much!!!! -Shirley Ng

updated on February 1, 2011 - 
Hello everyone!  Check out the links for out event coverage from the following print medium!

明報

孟嘗冬日送暖 百人織愛心圍巾  

 

星島日報
孟嘗會青年團主辦 愛的編織馬拉松活動

 -Shirley Ng


updated on February 2, 2011 - Check out the video highlights of the event below. Credits to Frank Chau for the clip.





-Ivan Lee

Winter Camp 2011

Welcome to 2011 and welcome to the MS Youth Group Blog y’all. Here, you will find all our upcoming events as well as exclusive reports on what happened in those events.  Our first event of 2011 is the Winter Camp.


To continue with our success from last year, MS Youth Group is again organizing a winter camp for a second time around - Winter Camp 2011. This year it will be at Jackson's Point, about an hour drive from Toronto. 

The group will arrive at Jackson's Point on Friday January 21 at 8 pm; staying until Sunday January 23, 10 am. This camp is a three-days-two-nights retreat targeted to provide an opportunity for youths to get together and engage in self-exploration, leadership training, conflict resolution, project planning, and winter outdoor activities. Activities include hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more!

  

Transportation, accommodations meals and activities will be all arranged for you and it only costs $120 per person (all inclusive).

If you are 19 years or older and looking for more information, please contact Victoria Kan. For those who are interested, register now and get the form back to Victoria by January 13, 2011. Spaces are limited, so don’t delay!

Also, keep an eye out for more information on our MS Youth Group page or stay connected with us through our Facebook group!

Your MS Youth Group Insider: She Kei Foo