Gratitude for the Journey, Sharing Hometown Ties—The Shaanxi Association of Canada Successfully Hosted the “25th Anniversary Celebration, Volunteer Appreciation Event, and Board Members’ Birthday Part

Gao Rong, Shaanxi Association of Canada

April 20, 2026, 09:45

The Shaanxi Association of Canada Successfully Hosts Volunteer Appreciation Event and Board Members’ Birthday Celebration to Mark Its 25th Anniversary On March 22, 2026, the Shaanxi Association of Canada successfully hosted the “25th Anniversary Volunteer Appreciation Event and Board Members’ Birthday Celebration.” Held under the theme “Gratitude and Journey Together,” the event brought together more than 70 guests, including board members, sponsors, outstanding volunteers, and their families, who shared a fulfilling and memorable afternoon and evening in a warm and festive atmosphere.

At 3:00 p.m. that day, the board of directors of the hometown association held an in-person meeting ahead of schedule to exchange ideas and discuss this year’s key initiatives. Immediately afterward, board members, volunteers, and their families sprang into action to set up the venue: some arranged tables and chairs, others organized supplies, and the food team methodically received and sorted the specialty dishes everyone had brought. With all preparations proceeding in an orderly manner, a solid foundation was laid for the event to run smoothly.

At the start of the event, President Zhou Zhijun delivered a welcome address. President Zhou extended a warm welcome to all the guests in attendance and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors and volunteers who have long supported the development of the Hometown Association, fully acknowledging everyone’s significant contributions to the 25th-anniversary celebration.

Vice President Zhang Yixing served as the emcee for the entire event. He skillfully paced the proceedings and transitioned seamlessly between segments, creating a relaxed yet orderly atmosphere throughout. The professional presentations were both engaging and packed with practical insights. The appreciation event officially began at 5:20 p.m., kicking off with the sponsor presentation session. Several professionals were specially invited to deliver thematic presentations, all of which were closely tied to real-world scenarios and packed with practical insights: Ivy from title sponsor Hongrui Finance delivered a presentation titled “Where Does Your Money Go?” Drawing on her professional expertise and combining asset allocation with cash flow analysis, she provided an in-depth yet accessible breakdown of financial planning strategies; Kym Xie from Qida Insurance gave a systematic presentation on risk protection and insurance planning, offering practical advice for family financial security; CPA Yang Ying and attorney Liu Yan took the stage together to co-present on tax and legal issues. Through the analysis of real-life case studies, they helped attendees gain a clearer understanding of key financial and legal challenges commonly encountered in daily life; they also analyzed important arrangements and risk mitigation strategies in wealth succession from a legal perspective. The entire seminar covered multiple dimensions—including finance, insurance, taxation, and law—providing attendees with a systematic and practical knowledge-sharing experience.

With host Zhang Yixing guiding the proceedings, all sponsors participating in the 25th-anniversary celebration gave brief self-introductions one by one and interacted with the audience, creating an atmosphere that was professional yet relaxed. A Birthday Celebration Blending Eastern and Western Traditions: Warmth and Surprises Abound The heartwarming moment of the event came during the birthday celebration for board members and their families. More than ten board members and their family members had birthdays in the first quarter, and guests with first-quarter birthdays were also invited to join the celebration. This segment was meticulously planned and hosted by Vice President Lei Jihua. Together with Jason, she led everyone in the “Clap-a-Lot” interactive game and group birthday wishes, steadily building the energy in the room as laughter and applause filled the air.

Particularly worth mentioning is Toronto-based dough sculpting artist Xiao Li, who presented a highly creative and culturally rich dough sculpture—the “Longevity Peach.” Under her skilled hands, this traditional art form has been given a new expression: not only is the design exquisite, but a small longevity peach is cleverly hidden inside the large one, and the small peach even contains a surprise raffle prize—layer upon layer of surprises that keep coming.

When the longevity peaches—a symbol of Chinese blessings—appeared alongside a Western-style birthday cake, the audience was instantly electrified, with cheers and gasps of amazement filling the air. In that moment, Eastern and Western cultures blended seamlessly, not only reflecting the preservation of traditional culture but also showcasing the unique cultural creativity of overseas Chinese.

Led by Zhang Yixing and Lei Jihua, the audience and performers on stage joined in interactive games, bringing the event to a climax.

Where cuisine meets culture, and nostalgia abounds, the dinner portion of the event was equally spectacular. Guests brought their signature dishes, creating a “Feast of a Hundred Families” brimming with the flavors of their hometown, Shaanxi. Li Xiaohong and Zhou Ke, heads of the culinary team, coordinated the event, ensuring everything—from receiving the dishes and setting the tables to the overall presentation—proceeded in an orderly manner, creating a warm and enriching dining experience for everyone. Additionally, a variety of Shaanxi specialties, such as liangpi and roujiamo, were specially prepared on-site, allowing everyone to savor the familiar flavors of home even while abroad.

In addition, Board Member Xu Chun assisted dough-sculpting instructor Xiao Li in demonstrating how to make more than twenty varieties of decorative dumplings on-site, and provided hands-on instruction on creating unique shapes such as “goldfish dumplings.” Participants learned and practiced together in a lively, interactive atmosphere; this was not only a culinary experience but also a vivid lesson in traditional Chinese culture.

Raffles and Commemorative Gifts: Thoughtful and Thorough, Everyone Went Home with Plenty. Throughout the event, multiple rounds of raffles were held, and the generous prizes provided by sponsors continually energized the atmosphere. At the conclusion of the event, the Hometown Association presented each guest with a 25th-anniversary commemorative travel tea set. Wang Yong and Wang Weidong meticulously oversaw the distribution of the commemorative gifts, ensuring that the process was well-organized and carried out with great care so that every guest could smoothly receive this special memento.

Meanwhile, Vice President Li Yuanming served as the event’s photographer throughout, moving between every corner of the venue, bustling about, and constantly holding his camera to capture every memorable moment. From enthusiastic applause to warm smiles, from the joy of interaction to the emotion of reunion, he meticulously documented every beautiful moment of the event through his lens, preserving the warmth and memories of the Association as timeless images. ❤️ Grateful for Your Companionship, Moving Forward Together This appreciation event was not only a celebration and a gathering but also a sincere tribute to the efforts of the past. From the Board of Directors’ comprehensive planning to the quiet dedication of the volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors—every contribution has come together to fuel the Association’s continued progress. Moving forward, the Shaanxi Association of Canada will continue to use culture as a bond to foster connections among compatriots and serve the community, sharing the story of Shaanxi abroad and passing on Chinese culture.