In February, St. Paul’s Foundation hosted its 14th annual Scotiabank Feast of Fortune with a twist. It was the first-ever virtual celebration.
Of course, the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune is so much more than a beloved celebration of the Lunar New Year. It’s a critically important fundraiser in support of health care initiatives across our community.
Since the first gala in 2008, the event has raised $7.9 million to transform health care for the people of British Columbia.
This year, all funds raised will support the future of health care: the new St. Paul’s Hospital at the Jim Pattison Medical Centre.
So, it was especially fitting to welcome the year of the strong and resilient Ox because Scotiabank, the Foundation, and a committed group of amazing donors and partners came together with unprecedented determination and creativity.
Steve Gaskin, Senior Vice President, Scotiabank, BC & Yukon Region delivered a special Lunar New Year message on behalf of Presenting Sponsor, Scotiabank. | St. Paul’s Foundation
A virtual triumph
Without a template for the virtual celebration, it could have been a disaster. (Case in point, the recent broadcast of the Golden Globes was riddled with technical difficulties.) The evening was a triumph.
Viewers were treated to a seamless broadcast that included performers in Vancouver, London, and Hong Kong and participants that joined were from as far away as Australia.
The hour-long event featured a lion dance, Vancouver music sensation Fred Cheng, the art of face changing, and a maestro of noodle-pulling. Larry Clements, Scotiabank’s District Vice President, made a special guest appearance stepping up to accept the lettuce from the lions.
Lettuce is a key part of the lion dance as it symbolizes good fortune.
And, the good fortune arrived almost immediately. Dick Vollet, President and CEO of St. Paul’s Foundation, made the surprise announcement that Peterson Group had come forward with a $1 million pledge to match donations to the new St. Paul’s.
“Peterson knows that every donation to the new St. Paul’s is a gift to our children and to future generations of patients, families, and caregivers,” says Vollet.
Award-winning global music sensation and Vancouver-born Fred Cheng joined live from Hong Kong as the event’s headliner. | St Paul’s Foundation
The future of healthcare
The event’s success highlights one of the key benefits of longstanding partnerships: the agility and confidence to pivot as circumstances require.
Scotiabank and St. Paul’s Foundation are the definition of a long-term partnership. The two have been working together for 34 years to improve care for countless patients, residents, and caregivers right across PHC.
And the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune 2021 will stand as a proof point for strong partnerships. In all, the evening raised more than $262,000 for the future of health care, and the Peterson pledge remains in place to double the impact of gifts made in the coming weeks.
In 2027, the new St. Paul’s Hospital will join Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (MSJ), Holy Family Hospital, and their long-term care homes as the cornerstone of Providence Health Care.
This move will bring the community unprecedented access to the world’s best medical care, equipment and researchers. It will usher in a new gold standard for community building and innovation.
And, it will save and improve lives across B.C.
Image via St. Paul’s Foundation
Scotiabank Feast of Fortune would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Scotiabank; Cerner Corporation; Sing and Patricia Yeo of Realtors Care; Chempaka Holdings Ltd; Ed Fung of King Ed International Investments Corp; Green Team Realty Inc; Bing & Noodle World; Mission Hill Family Estate; Fairchild TV; TalentVision; Global BC; OMNI; Ming Pao Daily News.
