CRYSTAL CLEAR: Since its inception 30 years ago, the Crystal Ball has raised close to $25 million for BC Children’s Hospital. One of the city’s preeminent fundraisers, this year’s gala at the Four Seasons Hotel Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»emceed by Global BC’s Chris Gailus and chaired by Arya Eshghi and Diane Norton, was one for the books when a record $4.4 million was raised in support of child health. One of the reasons for the memorable night: Ryan and Cindy Beedie who matched individual donations up to a $1 million. The Beedie’s generosity helped drive donations to an all-time high. Proceeds will go toward the hospital’s $6-million Children’s Healing Experience Project. The project — the first of its kind in Canada — is designed to create inspirational healing experiences by integrating curated, purposeful art into the new Teck Acute Care Centre, scheduled to open in November 2017.
RIGHT ON: The Canadian Liver Foundation’s LiveRight Gala was also a resounding success. Posting a record breaking $620,000, the gala do — staged at the new Trump Tower Ballroom and fronted by Dr. Francis Ho and Emily Lin — drew a capacity crowd to the dinner and auction hosted by Sophie Lui and yours truly. The Scotiabank-sponsored night recognized benefactors to the cause as well as those who have been impacted by liver disease. Proceeds from the posh party will support the CLF’s liver research, education and support programs for families living with liver disease. Research funding is vital to providing answers and hope to men, women and children says Monica Chui, executive director of the foundation’s BC/Yukon chapter. Our urgent challenge is to transform the future of these children, to offer them a realistic hope for a long and happy life, she adds.
RECORD SNOW: The BC Adaptive Snowsports Society’s premier party — its third annual — also reported a record haul. Founded in 1973, the registered charity aims to enhance the quality of life for children, youth and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities by providing opportunities to experience the joy, freedom and health and wellness benefits of adaptive snow sports. Yours truly took the gavel and played the role of auctioneer at the gala-do staged at the Westin Bayshore. Chaired by Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, the wintery affair saw partygoers enjoyed a sumptuous dinner followed by fundraising games that culminated with the live auction. Exotic trips and snow experiences with Olympians Mike Janyk and Mercedes Nicoll garnered the night’s top bids, but the largest gifts came during the live ask for monetary donations. A blizzard of gifts ranging from $250 to $5,000 came in contributing to the more than $120,000 raised.
TIMBER GROWTH: Home of Canadian comfort food, Timber celebrated its first birthday. Loyal fans and media convened at the popular Robson Street restaurant to help chefs Chris Whittaker and Joseph Gosselin blow out the birthday candle and enjoy the delicious fare Timber is known for. From deep fried cheese curds, Elk tourtiere and their acclaimed bison burger, which has been served up more than 10,000 times in its inaugural year, attendees feasted while looking back at a memorable first year, one that included many craft beer-paired dinners and fundraisers; the most memorable in support of The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie’s Brain Cancer Research.
SHINY CHARITABLE PEOPLE: National Philanthropy Day is marked yearly on Nov. 15 to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy — and those people active in the philanthropic community — have made to our communities and our world. In Vancouver, the Association of Fundraising Professionals marked the day with its annual Giving Hearts Awards Luncheon recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations that exemplify the true spirit of philanthropy. More than 800 people filed into the Convention Centre for the luncheon luau celebrating charitable people making a positive impact. Among those feted: Arran and Ratana Stephens, Leonard Schein, Kaitlyn Bernard, Naz Panahi and Yik Fung Au-Yeung. With more than 36 years experience in the fundraising profession, Shannon von Kaldenberg, a leader in the philanthropic community, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
