Jimmy Chan’s life mission for the protection of heritage and culture in Montreal, was awarded on Sunday, October 20th, at the Montreal Actra Awards, held at the Gèsu, for his longtime dedication to the Chinese Community and the protection of Chinatown’s across Canada, most notably Montreal’s.
JIMMY CHAN recognized by ACTRA on OCTOBER 20th, 2024 in Montreal.
On Sunday October 20th at the Gèsu Theatre on Montreal’s Bleury Street, Film industry professionals, as well as the up and coming, gathered to celebrate another year’s success in Film and TV. Two Awards stood out this year for the Asian Community; that of the CTV hit series Transplant Co-Star, Kenny Wong, with the ‘Walter Massey Breakthrough Artist Award’ and another, more dedicated to Community efforts, the `Victor Knight Community Builder Award` which was presented to the President of the Montreal Chan Association (Gee How Oak Tin Association of Montreal), also President of the Chin Wing Chun Tong Family Association of Montreal, and Producer of the Chinese Community TV Program Fortune Cookies Production under ICI Television, Jimmy Chan.
Jimmy Chan and Kenny Wong, both Award recipients at the Montreal Actra Awards on Sunday, October 20th, 2024. Photo: Emilia Hellman/Actra Montreal
Mrs. Ericka Alneus – City Councillor for Projet Montréal, also speaking as a representative of the Montreal Mayoral office, presented Jimmy Chan his award, and spoke dearly of M. Chan’s achievements, leaving the attendees in awe of how much one person can give back in only half of a lifetime.
Jimmy Chan recipient of the Victor Knight Community Builder Award, highlighted by City Councilor, Ericka Alneus, Projet Montréal. Photo: Jenny M. C. DuHaime
Jimmy, greatly honoured by this recognition, gave most thanks and celebration to the efforts of his whole family; from the beginnings of his own parents, notably his Father-in-Law, M. Paul Woo, who was a new immigrant and pioneer in the development of Montreal’s Chinatown. M. Woo held the earliest Chinese noodle factory in the Chinese community located in Chinatown. Jimmy feels with the help of his family and collaborators, he will continue their legacy. He spoke highly of his wife Susan Woo, who is definitely a huge part of Jimmy’s successes, and the joy of his 7 children, 2 son-in-laws and 3 grandchildren, and their involvement over the years. ‘It started with my 3 daughters, Jessica, Angela and Elizabeth, and then the boys joined in.’ His brother-in-law, M. Norman Woo, is never far behind with his film camera in hand, always documenting Jimmy’s leading the Chinese communities volunteer work efforts, tending to the Elderly and serving the Homeless, as well as bringing the community and its people together to organize activities in Chinatown creating positive action in that area and allowing it to continue to shine. October 20th was no exception.
Jimmy Chan surrounded by his family and friend/Agent, at the Montreal Actra Awards on Sunday, October 20th, 2024. Photo: Emilia Hellman/Actra Montreal
Jimmy, who is the Creator of the life changing and inspiring Documentary ‘Saving Chinatown’, Actor, Producer, Director, and Community Leader, has included his children in his filmmaking dreams both in front and behind the scenes.
During the pandemic, he made this time work for him, especially that ‘Asian Hate’ was even more prominent in the forefront. The Chan’s quickly called it out, and created an instant protection plan for Asians across Montreal. Some efforts also included the creation of a protection task force in Chinatown with the help of his friend Eddy Li and Eddy`s Security Company. This new system, in which they titled The Watchdog System, where both hired security and volunteers patrolled the area, ensured the safety of its citizens. They sought justice for all Asians including one young woman who was assaulted on the Metro system. She is interviewed in the 2nd part of the series and has since joined The Watchdog System, and has made a mark for all those that have been ostracized. Jimmy created this system to educate the merchants of Chinatown, their residents and all the restaurant owners on how to observe their surroundings and be vigilant of any suspicious individuals, and on how to report certain situations before malicious intent is caused.
Through these efforts, Jimmy also realized other needs in his community during the pandemic, which led him to create an immediate hunger and first response action program. Since then, he has provided over 6000 meals to those in need through his and Susan’s restaurant, the Wok Café located in Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO). They also worked strongly with the hospitals serving meals to health workers giving them hope and a filled belly.
For more than 38 years of my life I donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help people. I have provided food, clothing and medicine to help the people who are in need. From the homeless, the elderly, the Saving Chinatown project, to creating youth programs, documentaries, sports development opportunities and so much more. All this came from my own pocket.
That’s how I accomplished so much and was able to reach out to help save so many lives. It has brought many communities and people together to share our culture and learn from each other’s cultures through diversity and inclusion. I felt happiness because others experienced my love of giving, in helping them through their difficult challenging time…to bring them hope and better days, not only for today but especially for tomorrow.
Jimmy Chan’s other efforts include acting, producing short films, documentaries and writing. He is also the Founder and Sifu (Teacher/Coach) for the Chinese community’s well known “Montreal Chan Lions Dance Club”. Also, SIFU in Martial Arts for “Chan Ga Fist Kung Fu” club as well as the New Creations Artistic Director and Coach for Cirque du Soleil, and Master in Chinese Drumming, “Goo Mo Do – The Way of the Drum Beats”. Jimmy also holds the title of Founder of the first Montreal International Dragon Boat Race Festival with his pioneer team, the Dragon Knights introducing the sport to Montreal in 1996, taking many wins and raising funds for Centraide over the years in collaboration with their leading sponsor CAE.. Jimmy, a passionate team builder, continues to lead the fastest growing water sport in the world today as a Motivator, Coach and a Paddler with his 2nd dynamic Dragon Boat team, the Phoenix Warriors (2001), and to inspire a healthy lifestyle all the while promoting diversity and multiculturalism with all his collaborators.
He also leads the Montreal Multicultural Festival and Drumming Festival, held every mid-May in celebration of Asian Heritage Month. In doing so with diversity and inclusion in mind, he has brought many communities together to learn how to share and respect each other`s culture; building lasting friendships. The Chan`s have just recently coordinated The 40th Anniversary of the Miss Chinese Montreal Pageant, at the luxurious Le Windsor Hotel on October 5th, awarding the 1st prize Finalist a trip to China. This year’s recipient is Louese Hu. The first award in 1985, was awarded to Judy Woo, Jimmy`s Sister-In-Law.
In 2001, One World, One Humanity, a humanitarian organization serving the community to raise funds in order to send food, water and supplies to victims of global disasters and to help feed the homeless, was founded by Jimmy Chan. This mission was created in honour of his long time friend Tom Chan who was an Olympic Weightlifter representing Montreal. Tom Chan was also a leader in his community by encouraging the youth to achieve their dreams. He was also a huge role model for Jimmy. Another one of Jimmy’s great influences was his paternal grandfather, M. Chan Ping Sek, a well-known herbalist in China, who volunteered his time to treat those who could not afford medical care. These types of generosity influenced Jimmy into becoming the generous man he is today, always lending a helping and healing hand. It is also his grandfather’s influence that inspired Jimmy to create the Canadian International Martial Arts Alliance Association, another humanitarian effort that hosts martial art performances as a means to raise funds to help all communities within Canada and around the World.
In 2017, Jimmy organized a fundraising event called The Montreal International Martial Arts Festival, where they raised over $3000 in only a few hours in aid to the Red Cross to help victims from that year’s ravaging floods in Montreal.
Jimmy Chan Drumming at the Montreal Multicultural Festival for World Peace, May 2024.
In 2011, Jimmy and his group teamed up with the Japanese community in a benefit concert performing Lion Dance and Japanese Drumming together at the TOHU to raise funds for the disaster that occurred in Japan. The event raised around $25 000.
He even sponsored two highly reputable Beijing Opera Stars directly from China. Both artists are still performing and teaching at prominent universities and through private sessions today, giving back to both native Chinese as well as non-Chinese students.
…(our) goal (is) to bring all multicultural communities and people together to learn from each other’s culture and traditions, to drum together across Canada from coast to coast for world peace, to celebrate friendships and diversity and create inclusion for a better world.
(We) hope that this helps in making a huge difference for a better community.”
Jimmy is now working on the 3rd part of his 5-part series ‘Saving Chinatown’. His industry efforts has led the Chan team to ICITou.TV with their production house, Fortune Cookies Productions, that landed them a weekly 30 minute community spot on the ICI Network, and auditioning for various roles as an Actor and Martial Artist Coordinator.
Other notable mentions from the Asian Community is nominee Amanda Ip, with her role of Anne in Once Upon a Crime, for Outstanding performance in Live Action Dubbing.
Should you wish to be part of the action, please consider a contribution to any of the Montreal Chan Association activities by communicating your interest or financial support to: jimmy@jimmychan.ca
Source: Jenny M. C. DuHaime, JETSet Music Media
Info: JETSet Music Media, connect@jetsetmusicmedia.com
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