Why I Give
How Susan Wong's childhood experience made her mindful of others' challenges
Lack of choice in childhood gave Susan Wong a wealth of empathy in adulthood.
Mrs. Susan Foon Chim Wong remembers only too well what it means to have your ambitions thwarted by circumstance. Speaking through an interpreter, she apologizes for her lack of English proficiency, explaining that as a young girl during WWII, she was forced to abandon her plans to study English. She has never forgotten what it felt like to have her choices taken away.
Many years later, Susan reflects on her good fortune in life and hopes to help ensure that young people today are not cut off from their ambitions and potential. Married for 50 years to the late Mr. Leon Wong, an important figure in international finance and the Chief Manager at HSBC headquarters, Susan says she is grateful for her happy life. The two were a dazzling couple, well known in the Hong Kong community for their philanthropy. Upon Mr. Wong’s retirement in 1972, they pursued their dream of travel, touring the world several times.
So it was an informed choice made by the Wongs, when in 1993 they moved to Toronto with their daughter. They enjoyed their life here, watching their granddaughter grow and continuing their charitable work. Sadly, Mr. Wong died in late 1999 and Susan entered a period of grief, only putting aside her sorrow when the tragedy of 9/11 reminded her that there was still charitable work to be done. Wanting to find a charity with the broadest reach possible, Susan became a generous supporter of United Way of Greater Toronto. Her support includes the donation of stock options and this year she is Honourary Patron of the Blossom Ball. “My husband and I always knew how fortunate we were,” says Susan. “There are so many people suffering in the world. I want to help as many as I can.”