LAST NITE: Conceived in her Richmond home 17 years ago, Judi Miller Knapp’s Nite of Hope breast cancer fundraiser concluded last week. With an incredible run that saw the event spawn similar Nites of Hopes in South Surrey and the North Shore, collectively raising more than $4 million for breast cancer research, Knapp and her committee, many of whom have been involved for the full 17 years, called time on the event. More than 400 guests gathered at the River Rock Theatre for the final curtain call. Knapp, along with gala chairs Peggy O’Brien and Shelley Leonhardt, welcomed longtime friends and supporters to the emotion-filled evening. Chronicling her personal battle with breast cancer, CTV news anchor Mi-Jung Lee was the night’s keynote, musician Melanie Dekker entertained, while yours truly emceed. Always a pretty-in-pink affair, make no mistake the dominant hue in the room was green as guests shelled out more than $200,000 for mammography equipment at Richmond Hospital and breast cancer research.
ORANGE CRUSH: The B.C. Lions brass presented their annual Orange Helmet Awards, the franchise’s marquee event supporting amateur football. Seven hundred fans converged at the Vancouver Convention Centre to recognize the provincial champions for all levels of amateur football plus pioneers, coaches and lifetime achievers to the game from across the province. Founded by the late Lions president and CEO Bob Ackles, the fundraising dinner, now in its twelfth year, has raised more than $750,000 for grassroots football programs. This year’s gridiron gala, fronted by Jamie Taras and Wally Buono, honoured pioneer award winners Brian Prentice, Bill Cole and Paul Short, coach of the year recipients Kendall Gross and Mark Townsend, and Joe Gluska, Lifetime Achievement Award honouree. Former Grey Cup-winning quarterback and NFL pivot Jeff Garcia was the evening’s keynote speaker.
WATERMARK: Acclaimed author Wade Davis was the featured speaker at the inaugural Waterkeeper Gala, a fundraising initiative for Fraser Riverkeeper. Waterkeeper Galas are the foremost fundraising events for clean water in Canada. A national series of gala benefits, which originated in Toronto, this past Saturday, leaders from the worlds of art, business, sport and entertainment came together at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in support of the province and country’s swimmable, drinkable, and fishable future. Hosted by Jon Curleigh and Denise Donlon, attendees — shelling out $500-a-ticket — enjoyed an exquisite evening of fine food, wine and live entertainment before emptying their pockets of $100,000 for local and national water efforts.
