Together we raised ……
“One Mask at a Time”
Community Efforts to Guard Seniors Against COVID-19
Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto from May 22, 2020 to July 6, 2020, raised $230,000 to purchase and hand-deliver quality masks to over 100 Canadian multicultural organizations with seniors during the pandemic
TORONTO, May 22, 2020 – What started as a small act of giving has been rippling throughout the senior community who are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCC) today wrapped up its very successful “One Mask at a Time” fundraising campaign. In about eight weeks, CCC raised $230,000 in total and delivered masks to 22 long term care facilities, 22 senior apartment buildings and over 70 multicultural organizations with senior membership.
“Our relief program is unique in the sense that we delivered the masks to the hands of each needy senior resident of the beneficiaries,” said Alan Lam, Vice Chairman of the CCC Board who led the campaign.
Responses from the recipients are overwhelming. Volunteers involved, some from the CCC Youth Leaders’ Circle, were motivated throughout the initiative. Heartwarming e-mails and encouraging letters from the beneficiaries attest to the worthiness of the relief efforts:
“We continue to cherish CCC as a friend …, always looking out for our seniors and responding to our needs in a timely manner.”
“Because of your generous donation of the masks, our senior residents will be protected while shopping groceries during this difficult time.”
“…. An amazing way to help our healthcare heroes fight COVID19.”
“This timely supply of masks will ensure our seniors stay safe and healthy and our frontline staff can continue to provide their services with protection.”
“As an essential provider of Meals-on-Wheels during this pandemic, these masks will be well received among our staff and volunteers who work on the frontlines day after day servicing our community.”
“Thanks to the compassion of donors like CCC, we are able to do our best to shield our seniors from this deadly virus.”
Representatives of the three levels of government, namely MPs Shaun Chen and Jean Yip; MPPs Raymond Cho who is also the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility and Aris Babikian; Councillors Cynthia Lai and Sandra Yeung Racco readily rendered their strong support. They helped identify locations with seniors who were in dire need of masks for CCC to make deliveries.
“The “One Mask at a Time” project reminds one of CCC’s true calling: to serve the community, when resilience and care are in great need in times of disasters. More has to be done, not the least by food banks and home shelters, to help the most vulnerable in our society,” added Alan Lam. He attributed the success of the campaign to the generous donors, dedicated staff and volunteers, three levels of government representatives and the CCC Board for their tireless efforts working around the clock to source, screen, re-package and deliver the masks to seniors and frontline healthcare professionals.
An Appreciation Wall will be set up at the Centre at 5183, Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto to recognize the unique collaborative efforts of the community during this unprecedented time. Details would be announced later.