The woks are heating up at The Rice Box, as the Vernon Asian restaurant gears up for its annual Wokathon.
Now in its seventh year, the Wokathon is a fundraiser for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation and the Cambodia Support Group and last year.
“It’s part of our business to do this and it’s important for me to give back,” said On Ouch, who has owned The Rice Box for 15 years. “We are blessed to have amazing customers who support us all year and at our fundraiser.”
On Sunday, The Rice Box will donate all revenue, including tips. The funds raised for VJH are donated via the SUN-FM Have a Heart Radiothon, which raises funds for pediatric equipment at the hospital. CSG supports Cambodia, working in various ways to rebuild a healthy society.
And with rising food costs, Ouch is pleased by the support he has received from local supplier Lyle Downey, who is donating all of the produce for the event, through his company, Crunch Time Produce.
“He understands that things are really tough right now with the cost of food going up all the time,” said Ouch. “It means a lot to me; I asked him, ‘any chance you can donate something for the Wokathon?’ And he said, ‘what’s your wish list?’ This is a huge boost, especially when everything is so expensive.”
Ouch is open to any and all sponsorship for the day, whether it’s for chicken, beef or any other number of items needed for the day’s take-out.
“This has been the worst year for costs — broccoli went from $18 a case up to $60 a case.”
The Rice Box is one of Downey’s regular customers and when he got the call about helping out for the Wokathon, he jumped at the chance to provide everything from broccoli and peppers, to tomatoes and avocado.
“On is a customer of ours and he’s been doing the Wokathon for years and he asked me this year if it’s something we’d be able to do,” said Downey. “We were happy to help out — we work with the Good Food Box, Kindale and a whole bunch of other community associations and so when he asked me and told me about what he was doing, it was just another way for us to give back.”
For Ouch, the Wokathon is about giving back to the community that gave his family a new life in Canada, as well as to his country of birth, Cambodia.
“Giving back to the hospital is huge because it’s where my daughters were born, and I am always going to give back to my country.
“We take things for granted here and my first visit back to Cambodia changed my whole perspective and that’s when I made the commitment to give back.”
Ouch arrived in Vernon in 1989 along with his parents, Ath and Loeung, his brother Oeun and his sisters Maly and Malim after years spent living in Cambodian refugee camps in Thailand.
Ath and Loeung applied to many countries for sponsorship, but were rejected. At last they were recommended to Canada through United Nations channels. Through Canadian Immigration their case reached the B.C.-based CSG. Group president Arne Sahlen set up a group based at All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon to welcome the family.
Ouch has been back to Cambodia three times since he left and while Vernon has been his home for many years, he has never forgotten his roots and has vowed to continue to give back to a country where so many people still live in extreme poverty.
Ouch said he and his wife May feel blessed to be able to raise their three daughters in Vernon: Aleeya, seven; Ava, three; and Kara, 17 months.
“It hit me the first time I went back to Cambodia in 2002 and it shocked me how my family used to live and it made me realize that I’m blessed to have this life and that’s why I give back. I have all these opportunities.”
This year, Ouch has added a silent auction to the Wokathon, so while customers are waiting for their order to be filled they can browse the items up for auction and perhaps make a bid — the table will be set up inside neighbouring business, 27th Street Florist.
“We’ve had a lot of local businesses stepping up with donations for the silent auction, including Iron Heart Gym, Repair Express, Beachcomber, Sun Valley Sports, Vernon Teach & Learn, Image Studios and 27th Street Florist.”
As well, Ouch will donate a video package for a local business through his marketing and web development company, Social Lead, to make a commercial that will be shown on YouTube.
Last year’s Wokathon was able to raise about $11,000 for the hospital and this year’s event promises to be just as busy. Along with his dedicated staff members, Ouch recruits volunteers from the community, from Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund to The Morning Star’s Richard Rolke. Food will be prepared by Ouch and his three staff members. Ouch’s wife May and his dad, Ath, will also be on hand to do what needs to be done.
“We managed to fill all of the volunteer spots within 24 hours and we’ve got great volunteers who do everything from washing dishes to packing up orders.”
The big difference this year is that orders will be taken either in person or online.
“Every year we run into the problem that we can’t keep up with demand. So this year, we will eliminate phone orders to speed things up.
“I also want to make it fun for my employees because I have great staff — it’s not fun when you are stressed about putting out a great product.”
To pick up your chicken chow mein, California roll or any other treats for which The Rice box is well-known, simply stop by the restaurant or order online at www.TheRiceBox.com or through the iPhone or android app.
“We’ll have a more limited menu this year, so we can keep up with the rush but we also want to ensure the quality is there. All of our most popular dishes will be available.”
Ouch advises that the best time for ordering to avoid the rush tends to be between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“We are already getting donations through our online ordering — when you place an order, there is a spot online asking if you would you like to donate $5 to the Wokathon, so people are already donating.”
As well, donations of items for the silent auction are also welcome and can be dropped off at the restaurant.
The Wokathon takes place Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. at The Rice Box, 3104C-27th St., near the court house.