Making a Splash: Paintings by Ross Penhall and Gordon Smith fetched the night's top bids at Splash, Arts Umbrella's signature soiree. Marking its 30th anniversary, the annual art auction and gala, hosted by news anchor Gloria Macarenko and Johanna Wagstaff, moved from its usual Granville Island digs to the CBC TV studios. Nearly 500 patrons filed into the downtown venue for a close-up of the 50 works by B.C. artists that went up for sale.

Raising Hope: Founded by Judi Miller 15 years ago, what began as a house party at her home, the Nite of Hope, a cancer fundraiser, was born. First held in Richmond, then White Rock and Vancouver, the three galas have contributed a combined $3.1 million to fund breast cancer research in BC. At the Pinnacle Hotel on the North Shore, cancer survivors were feted at the fourth annual Nite of Hope, fronted by two-time chair Pamela Buck. Several hundred guests gathered for the Phantom of the Opera-themed dinner and auction benefiting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Celebration of giving: Vancouver charities and community partners were lauded as the TELUS Vancouver Community Board celebrated its 2012 season of giving. Chair Nini Baird welcomed beneficiaries to its fifth annual Celebration of Giving held at the VSO School of Music. Supporting grassroots organizations, the community board has doled out more than $8 million to local initiatives this year.

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Hear Fred Mondays 8:20 a.m. on CBC Radio's The Early Edition; email yvrflee@hotmail.com; Twitter: @FredAboutTown or fredabouttown.blogspot.com.