Connecting with children at an early age is a goal of the Fu Hui Education Foundation.

The foundation raised $500,000 at its annual fundraising event on June 23 in Richmond Hill to establish libraries for students in China and Canada.

"Our year's theme is 'Respect and Knowledge are Sown When Young'," said Judy San, president of the foundation. "Fu Hui strives to help children develop from a young age virtues such as respect and knowledge through reading and learning. Our objective is to buy books for the Fu Hui children from kindergarten to grade 3."

According to San, the proceeds will be used to set up library corners in Fu Hui classrooms in China and First Nations classrooms in Canada.

Because of resource constraints, Canada's First Nations children do not have adequate library facilities in most of their schools, significantly affecting their learning.

In 2015, Fu Hui participated in the Aboriginal Initiative led by the former prime minister of Canada Paul Martin. As a Canadian charity, Fu Hui decided to help the First Nations community.

Participants witnessed the transformation of the students from China's remote mountain regions over the years as well as learning about Canada's First Nations culture through live dance and song performances.

Fifty Chinese library corners were quickly funded by donations from the event, while the silent auction and charity bazaar were also warmly received by guests.

"This is the best gift we can give for Canada 150," said Stanley Kwan, chair of Fu Hui Education Foundation, following a video greeting from Martin shown at the event, where Fu Hui executives presented representatives from the Martin Family Foundation with a cheque for $300,000 to build six libraries.

Since Fu Hui was established in 2004, more than 16,000 Chinese students have been helped.

Currently, Fu Hui is supporting more than 4,600 students in 100 Chinese cities, ranging from preschools to universities to trade schools. The first students from 13 years ago are now adults, making their own way in society and helping others in gratitude for the support they've received.

Fu Hui places equal importance on solving the students' financial problems as well as character building.

"Knowledge is the best charity," said He Wei, Chinese consul general in Toronto, who attended the event.

renali@chinadailyusa.com