“I have only great things to say”
For the Leung brothers — owners of Kin’s Farm Markets and Richmond Hospital Foundation supporters — promotion of healthy living is more than a business, it’s also a philanthropic passion.
The following Richmond Hospital Foundation donor profile about the Leungs appeared in the January 21 edition of the Richmond News.
Click on the link to access the online edition of the newspaper or you can read the story in its entirety below.
Community Matters – Richmond News – Jan. 21, 2015
Kin’s Farm Market helps improve patient care at Richmond Hospital
With rows upon rows of bright orange, yellow, green, red and other rainbow hues of neatly arranged fruits and vegetables, Kin’s Farm Market stands out as a symbol of freshness and health.
“Health is very important to us,” says Kin Hun Leung, Kin’s Farm Market director, do-founder and owner. “Before anyone is in need of a health care facility, I’d like to see everyone working towards prevention by focusing on a healthy diet by eating lots of fruits and veggies. This is why we like to invest in education programs in our local schools.
“However, not all injuries or diseases can be prevented…And it is great to have a facility that we can count on like Richmond Hospital. My father has been a patient at Richmond Hospital a few times and I am very happy with the care and expertise he has received. The medical team at Richmond Hospital is very knowledgeable and approachable. I have only great things to say.”
Kin’s began business in 1983 in the Granville Island market as a produce table. As the business thrived, Kin Hun and his brother Kin Wah decided to open a retail store in Richmond in 1987. In 2015 Kin’s Farm Market will be opening their 29th and 30th stores by March.
“We strive to provide the freshest fruits and veggies in the market, and this is what differentiates Kin’s from other stores,” says Kin Hun.
With approximately 800 staff members in the lower mainland, Kin’s now has three stores in Richmond; at Blundell Centre on Blundell at No. 2 Road, Richmond Centre and Broadmoor Village on Williams at No. 3 Road.
“I have been living in Richmond since 1983. Richmond really is my home. My parents live here and I feel very connected to this community. I love living in Richmond.”
Like so many Richmond residents who are grateful for the care that they or their family members receive at Richmond Hospital, Kin Hun says it’s important to turn that gratitude into helping others receive better patient care. “When talking to Jim Pattison once, he said something to me that is very true: ‘No matter if you are rich or poor, you will always need a hospital one day in your life.’ So, by helping the hospital, you are helping everybody in the community.”
Over the years and with last year’s participation in Richmond Hospital Foundation’s Community Cares Month, Kin’s Farm Market donations have now eclipsed $30,000 to help fund vital medical equipment and improvements to patient care.
“I would like to say that not only from a business leader point of view, but also as an immigrant and a Canadian citizen who has received so much from this country and community, I feel like it is my duty to give back.”
“The benefit is to see people improving their health due to the equipment and services that we as a company were able to help fund. I feel like this is a gift from God, who has given me the ability to give back to my community. This feeling is priceless!”