Legend Award winners share stories

With a theme of "Change with Change to Succeed", six recipients of the 2016 Chinese Canadian Legend Award shared their stories at an awards gala organized by the Asian Business Network Association (ABNA) on Sunday night in Richmond Hill.

The recipients of the 2016 Chinese Canadian Legend Award gather with guests at a gala organized by the Asian Business Network Association on Sunday at the Sheraton Parkway in Richmond Hill. NA LI / CHINA DAILY

Sunny Ho, a lawyer who started out in chemistry but found his mission in life in charitable work, works as a bridge between the Chinese and mainstream community;

Annie Kwok, an expert in organizing large functions and galas, serves as a "cultural bridge" by facilitating exchanges between Canadian and Chinese businesses and at the national level;

Alan Kwong, an entrepreneur who founded his own company and made his way through the global financial tsunami with a will to weather the storm and regain his footing;

Jim Yuan Lai, who has made significant contributions to dental education to his community and country, is a major in the Canadian Armed Forces as a periodontist;

Arthur Lau, a world-renowned architect whose designs have left an indelible imprint on human civilization over the last 50 years, is actively supporting healthcare and education, especially in the Chinese community;

Teresa Woo-Paw, a community worker who has been working in different capacities for the rights of minorities and promote multicultural services, has brought about many positive changes in Alberta and Canada in the past 40 years.

"On the stage of life, there could be snares and traps, but if we don't give up, we can turn our life around to be a beautiful success story. This embodies the spirit of the Chinese Canadian Legend Award, and that is to rise above challenges in face of adversity, stay positive and give our best," said Alexandra Ngan, co-chair of the Chinese Canadian Legend Organizing Committee.

"We hope that the legendary stories of our awardees will inspire and encourage all of us to rise above challenge and change with change to succeed in the face of adversity," she said.

More than 400 guests, including the Honourable John McCallum, Member of Parliament, attended the gala.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a video greeting congratulating the participants.

Bammy Wong, president of the ABNA, said it was the 17th anniversary of the award, with 106 recipients recognized since 2000, and their stories published in a book that has been kept in the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library at the University of Toronto, as well as the libraries at the University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria.