2014 marked the Edmonton Chinese Lions Club’s 13th Annual Chinese Christmas Dinner. With over 270 attendees, we filled the Dynasty Century Palace Restaurant on December 12th with good fellowship and Christmas cheer.
Lion Douglas (the night’s MC and live auctioneer!) began the event by introducing our Club President, Lion Angie, who took the stage to welcome everyone and remind us of the spirit of Lionism. District Governor Lion Bob Hunter was our special guest, and brought greetings from the Multiple District. Many other Lions Clubs were also in attendance — Edmonton Host, Edmonton Jolly Fellows, Edmonton Northgate, Edmonton Millwoods Breakfast, St Albert Breakfast, Busby Lions Club, to name a few.
Our own Lion Alice Leung led us in singing O Canada as well as a few Christmas songs before dinner was served. Throughout the 10-course feast, door prizes were awarded, and partygoers bid on our 15 silent auction packages and live auction for our club’s chosen charities. Lion Darcy sold 50/50 tickets relentlessly, and Lion Lisa and Lion Betty raised more money from raffle tickets for dessert trees (supplied by our President Angie Loo and her helpers). We were kept entertained by the Malaysia-Singapore Social Association, who performed some choreographed routines, including a Christmas Line Dance!
Towards the end of the evening, MC Lion Douglas returned to auction off an Edmonton fly-over package for three to the audience. In true Lionistic spirit, the winner donated it back for a second auction! This prize, donated by Lion Fong, raised a total of $570.
To finish the evening, the silent auction winners were announced. We raised over $2,000 from the live and silent auctions and the raffles — a huge Christmas help for our partner charities Crystal Kids, Boys and Girls Clubs of Edmonton, and Youth Empowerment and Support Services. In addition, we also sought donations toward the CBC Edmonton Turkey Drive in support of Edmonton’s Food Bank. We thank the other clubs and Lions for their generous contributions to the Turkey Drive!
With so many tickets to buy and prizes to bid on, we weren’t sure how much we would be able to raise, but Edmonton’s champion spirit came through, and the Edmonton Chinese Lions Club set a club fundraising record this Christmas!
Thank you to all who attended, and we hope you’ll be back next year!
