Scotiabank Feast of Fortune honours the longstanding history of Providence Health Care serving Vancouver’s Chinese community. What began as a small gathering in a downtown Chinese restaurant in support of Mount Saint Joseph Hospital has grown into a vibrant, multicultural celebration - bringing together hundreds of community members annually to raise funds for transformative projects across Providence Health Care and Providence Living.
Nearly two decades later, one thing remains unchanged: people standing together to ensure every patient and resident receives the care they deserve.
At the heart of this legacy are Sing Lim Yeo and Patricia Yeo, who founded Scotiabank Feast of Fortune in 2008. As respected leaders in the community, Sing and Patricia’s generous philanthropic contributions and personal commitment to volunteerism have inspired many to give back. They see their efforts as a way to express gratitude to the country and community that welcomed them over 40 years ago — where they built both their business and their family.
As we prepare for the 19th Scotiabank Feast of Fortune on February 28, Sing reflects on how it all began, the milestones along the way, and the life-changing impact your support continues to make.
St. Paul’s Foundation: Why was supporting Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (MSJ) and Providence Health Care important to you when you launched the event?
Sing: In the early part of the last century, many hospitals did not accept Chinese patients. Mount Saint Joseph Hospital was one of the few that welcomed them with compassion and respect. It has long been recognized within the Chinese community as a trusted place of healing. Even today, many seniors in the Chinese community still affectionately refer to MSJ as the “Chinese hospital.”
Much of MSJ’s medical equipment was aging and in need of improvement, and I wanted to help ensure the hospital could continue providing high-quality care. While launching a first-time fundraising event is never easy, everyone was united by a shared goal: to improve patient care.
Together, we worked to raise funds to purchase a 3D digital mammography machine, valued at $750,000. This groundbreaking equipment has made a significant difference in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, directly benefitting countless patients and reinforcing why supporting MSJ and Providence Health Care was so important.
St. Paul’s Foundation: How has the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Gala evolved since the early days, and what changes have made you most proud?
Sing: Over the years, the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Gala has grown significantly in both scale and impact. Through consistently sharing the history and mission of Providence, many friends and community leaders came to understand the importance of supporting this meaningful cause.
One of the changes I am most proud of was, whenever timing allowed, we held the gala during the first seven days of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a time traditionally known as “everyone’s birthday.” This made the event even more meaningful, joyful, and symbolic, uniting celebration with philanthropy.
I am deeply grateful to Scotiabank for being our key sponsor for the past 19 years, from the very beginning, helping Feast of Fortune become a signature fundraising event for St. Paul’s Foundation. While the gala initially focused on the Chinese community, it has now grown into a diverse, multicultural event with strong support from repeat donors, new guests, board members, staff, and community leaders.
St. Paul's Foundation: What keeps you motivated to support the gala year after year?
Sing: I operate with the belief that corporate giving back is a social responsibility and believe that business and philanthropy must go hand in hand. My guiding principle has been: “Together, we can make a difference and enjoy a better quality of life.” I hope this inspires more successful corporations to do the same.
What keeps me motivated are the grateful patients we showcase at each gala and the countless letters I have received over the years from hospital patients and families, many of whom I have never met, thanking Scotiabank Feast of Fortune for helping fund life-saving medical equipment.
Knowing that the need continues, especially as medical technology rapidly advances, renews my passion and commitment every year.
St. Paul’s Foundation: The Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Gala is such a beautiful celebration of Lunar New Year. What is your favourite part of bringing those traditions to life?
Sing: I have participated in many fundraising events over the past four decades, but Scotiabank Feast of Fortune is truly unique. It celebrates life, happiness, and generosity. The presence of the Chinese God of Fortune, greeting guests and distributing red packets for good luck, brings warmth and joy to the evening.
Another favourite element is incorporating award-winning Chinese chefs, who present their signature dishes during the reception, something no other fundraising event does. After having travelled the world, Vancouver’s culinary scene is truly like none other. It celebrates the culinary culture we have in Vancouver and highlights the incredible young talent we have in our own city.
Lastly, each year, we celebrate a different Chinese zodiac. In 2026, we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, symbolizing freedom, strength, speed, and success. Qualities that represent progress in business, travel, and innovation. In Chinese culture, the Horse combined with the Dragon reflects powerful spirit and energy, which is exactly what we hope to carry forward.
St. Paul’s Foundation: What are you most looking forward to at the 2026 gala?
Sing: Personally, this year is particularly special, as the event happens to fall on the 7th birthday of one of my granddaughters! She is excited to attend the event for the first time, and is learning philanthropy in her own world by collecting cans and donating to causes important to her, like the Women + Children’s Shelter.
It is these types of acts that are so rewarding to see when we lead by example to “pass the torch” to the next generation and empower them to make their difference.
St. Paul’s Foundation: Is there a particular moment or memory from Scotiabank Feast of Fortune that stands out for you?
Sing: After more than three and a half decades of volunteer work, what stands out most are the friendships formed with people who share the same aspiration: to give back and help build stronger communities while embracing Canada’s multiculturalism, inclusion, and mutual respect.
These life experiences cannot be learned from books. They come from human connection, empathy, leadership, and shared purpose. It is deeply touching when strangers approach me to say thank you for my leadership and care. Those moments remind me why volunteerism matters and why leaving a legacy for the next generation is so important to me.
St. Paul’s Foundation: What do you hope Scotiabank Feast of Fortune will achieve in the future?
Sing: It is encouraging to see the new St. Paul’s Hospital on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus progressing, but there is still much to be done. As the Chinese proverb says, “Unity is strength and many grains of sand can form a heap.” Every contribution counts, and together we can reach our goal.
St. Paul’s Foundation: Why does giving back in the community matter?
Sing: Freedom and opportunity are not free. They were built by those who came before us. In Canada, we enjoy equal opportunity, equal rights, and therefore equal responsibility. We must continue working hard to preserve and improve what we have today.
Confucian philosophy teaches us that giving is more blessed than receiving. Let us do more, give more, and build a better future together.
Your donation to Scotiabank Feast of Fortune will help St. Paul’s Foundation provide compassionate care to patients and residents, support life-changing research, and realize the full vision of the new Jim Pattison Medical Campus.