Best of 2017! As we prepare to usher in 2018, here is a final look back at this year’s top merrymakers who put on the glitz and then some for the city’s most worthy causes.
Best Gala (Large): Miracle Weekend Concert and Gala
Music man David Foster marked his foundation’s 30th anniversary with a star-studded gala and concert at the newly minter Parq Vancouver. The award-winning musician and producer tapped 30of his A-list friends, including Oprah Winfrey, Reba McIntyre and Steven Tyler, to make a red carpet appearance at arguably the city’s biggest bash of the year. The extravagant party and concert would bring in $10.2 million to support families with children in need of organ transplant
Best Gala (Medium): Night of A Thousand Stars
The VGH UBC Hospital Foundation’s Night of a Thousand Stars was the year’s biggest gala and money maker reeling in $5.95 million dollars — bolstered by a near $2-million gift from Darlene Poole to realize the hospital’s wish to bring the next generation of surgical robots to VGH. Poole and her late husband Jack brought the first surgical robot, aptly named Jack, to the city, a decade ago.
Best Gala (Small): Night of Wonders
Children’s Wish Foundation’s Night of Wonders Gala returned for another magical night. The bold and the beautiful came together to grant wishes for deserving children living with life threatening illnesses. Led by Jessica Hollander and an influential committee, the event saw the Auto Form Dealership in East Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»transformed into a grand party palace for a record-setting $375,000 night.
Best Community Fundraiser: Chinatown Gala
Carol Lee’s efforts to revitalize Chinatown ignited an entire community to come together to help. Her sophomoric staging of her Chinatown Gala saw more than 750 guests — many with strong ties to the neighbourhood — pile into the Hotel Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»to raise a $1 million and to support Lee’s efforts to preserve and build upon the rich history of the once bustling area.
Best House Party: At Home
Philanthropists Lorne and Melita Segal have held many fundraisers in their Southlands home. On all the occasions, no guest has ever fallen into the Segal’s indoor pool — that is until Chor Leoni held their At Home Fundraiser at the couple’s sprawling bungalow. Artistic director Erick Lichte took the plunge on a $10,000 dare. The cannonball contributed to a very memorable $100,000 night.
Best Summer Party: Monet’s Secret Garden Gala
Launching the most comprehensive exhibition of Monet’s work in Canada in more than two decades, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Art Gallery threw the summer’s biggest and most lavish garden party. At $1,000 a ticket gala, all 400 seats were snapped up for the dinner and auction, held on the front steps of the VAG under the most ideal of conditions. Pamela Richardson and Priscilla Lam championed the $1-million effort.
Best Art Party: Splash
Party spirits were high at Arts Umbrella’s 35th running of Splash. The definitive art party and in the city, some 100 masterful works went up for auction. Spurred by Christie Darbyshire and Bruce Munro Wright, the posh party generated $540,000 in net proceeds, setting a new standard for the tony gala-do in support of the Canada’s preeminent visual and performing arts school.
Best Theme Party: Le Cirque du Soiree
Props to Joelle Paleologou and Rita Khanna, chairs of Peace Arch Hospital Foundation’s flagship fundraiser, Le Cirque du Soiree. They along with a 21-person committee executed a flawless evening of magic and merriment under the big top. The group transformed cavernous Centennial Arena into an extravagant circus tent, a lavish production the likes of Ringling Brothers, Barnum Bailey and Guy Laliberté would approve. No detail was spared in a high-flying night that netted nearly $500,000 for a new hospice residence.
Best Debut: LAUNCH Holiday Luncheon
It has been a banner year for the Wendy and Sergio Cocchia and the Pacific Family Autism Network. After opening the resource centre of excellence for children on the autism spectrum and their families, the power couple continues to tirelessly fundraise to support B.C., families raising children with the disorder. Their newest event — a noon hour luau at Parq Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€” was a qualified success. Reportedly the largest autism fundraiser in the country, more than $540,000 was posted.Ìý Ìý
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20am on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM; Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @FredAboutTown
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