BRILLIANT SHOW OF SUPPORT: Brilliant, a spectacle of fashion and dance, took place last week in support of St. Paul’s Hospital’s mental health and addictions programs. Event founder and grateful patient Dean Thullner steered more than 300 of Vancouver’s most fashion-forward designers, hairstylists, make-up artists, models and dancers to bring the production to life. And what a party it was! A fairy tale-themed evening staged at the Commodore Ballroom, the event featured modern interpretations of classic fables told through fashion, music and dance. Chaired by Bill and Jana Maclagan and emceed by media personality Fiona Forbes, with a live auction orchestrated by Howard Blank, the theatrical night of fantasy generated a whopping $1.45 million, more than doubling the $600,000 generated in the first two years.
GAME CHANGERS: John Anderson, CEO of the Oppenheimer Group — a leading distributor of fruit and vegetables — is this year’s Pacific Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner. The awards program — a leading date on the business calendar — recognizes the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs locally and around the world. More than 1,300 guests made the parade on the yellow carpet for the celebration of entrepreneurial spirit now in its 22nd year. Thirty finalists were feted in 10 categories. Chosen based on their vision, leadership, financial performance and social responsibility, winners included James Wise (founder of Burrowing Owl Vineyard), Trevor Styan (general manager of Northern Civil Energy) and Lisa Shields (founder of Hyperwallet Systems).
HOMETOWN HEROS: More than 300 guests from corporate, sports, arts and social service circles gathered for Kids Up Front’s Superheroes Gala. Founded in 1999, the charity provides local kids in need access to arts, culture and sports through the distribution of unused event tickets. For some, these experiences can be life changing. Local heroes Bob Lenarduzzi and Carl Valentine of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Whitecaps FC were among attendees at the charity dinner and auction emceed by B.C. Lions receiver Marco Iannuzzi. Greeting guests was the organization’s newest player, Shelley Leonhardt, taking on the role as executive director. Yours truly handled the auctioneer duties. Fabulous art and luxury trips were sold off in support of the non-profit’s efforts with more than 118 partner social service agencies to give every child in the community one big lift.
