WITH PURPOSE: People, purpose and a paycheque. Since 1992 Mission Possible has walked alongside Downtown Eastside residents who are challenged by homelessness and poverty. Founded 25 years ago by Rev Liz Wall, the humanitarian agency has been providing area folks opportunities to achieve a renewed sense of dignity and purpose through meaningful work. Working with businesses and other organizations, the registered charity strives to create jobs that lead to lasting change and support those who face barriers to employment. The organization recently celebrated its 25th year of community work with a Roaring 鈥�20s party, staged at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Yours truly joined Mission Possible scion Mathew Smedley, emcees Nat Hunter and Drew Savage and some 300 guests at the holiday hootenanny. The ballroom was transformed into a spectacular speakeasy where revelers imbibed, raised a glass to those who have overcome adversity and helped raise $176,000 to support the firm鈥檚 ongoing efforts.
TOWN AND COUNTRY: Native Shoes opened the doors to its first ever storefront in its hometown 鈥� in the same Gastown neighbourhood where another iconic shoe retailer, John Fluevog, also operates. Founded in 2009, the local brand now distributes its lightweight shoes to 50 local businesses and 30 countries worldwide. Made from a single material called EVA 鈥� ethylene-vinyl acetate 鈥� the distinct footwear for kids and adults is waterproof, odor-resistant, and PETA approved beast-free, meaning no animal hair or hide is used in its products. Media, VIPs and dignitaries were on hand for the store鈥檚 reveal at 14 Water St. With the paint barely dry, Native president Kyle Housman, creative director Michael Belgue and Scott Hawthorn, the company鈥檚 original founder, were on hand to greet and tour guests and thank supporters. According to senior brass, more stand-alone stores are in the making in the coming months.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Cheryl Ng was recently crowned Miss Chinese 麻豆传媒映画2017, besting nine others at the annual Miss Chinese 麻豆传媒映画Pageant and Gala, presented by Fairchild Media Group and held at the 麻豆传媒映画Convention Centre. Masters of ceremonies Delon Lew and Fred Liu led the 10 leading ladies through the usual stages before judges awarded the coveted title and Miss Congeniality Award to Ng, a 24-year-old research technologist, originally from Hong Kong. The 5鈥�4鈥� beauty will head back to her hometown to represent 麻豆传媒映画in the Miss Chinese International Pageant 2018 this January, a competition where Vanhattan beauty queens have historically found much success. A pageant with a purpose, the broadcasted contest and gala dinner also raised $580,000 for the Chi Heng Foundation to help HIV-impacted children in China, many of whom are orphaned. Proceeds will address basic health needs as well as provide kids the opportunity to develop life skills and access education.
EVENT INDUSTRY PARTY: No successful conference, party or gala would be possible without a supporting cast of event planners, technicians, vendors and entertainers. Industry insiders came together to celebrate their own and support those looking into getting into the event-planning sector. Hosted by local chapters of Meeting Professionals International, Professional Convention Management Association and the International Live Events Association, the event attracted 400 partygoers to Parq 麻豆传媒映画鈥� the city鈥檚 newest event and gala destination 鈥� for the sophomoric staging of its now annual year-end party. The visually stunning Through the Wardrobe-themed party was a fantastical affair, featuring mystical beasts, ice queens and decked-out attendees partying down and networking while contributing to scholarships to support the next generation of event and meeting professionals.聽
