WALL OF FAME: The Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation hosted its sophomore Off the Wall Gala, a unique art auction in support of the charity’s many art-focused programs for youth. Yours truly served as master of ceremonies of the cocktail party and art sale, held at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. While most charities tap artists for their fundraising dollars, this event relied on the generosity of art collectors. Board member Richard Savage and executive director Gail Johnson invited esteemed collectors to donate a piece from their own personal collection to sell and share with a new audience. This year’s results saw 19 pieces on the auction block looking for new homes with the help of seasoned auctioneer Hugh Bulmer. Masterpieces by Douglas Coupland, Rodney Graham, Cori Creed and Gordon Smith were quickly snapped up during the art sale contributing to more than $115,000 raised to enhance art education in the community.
LEGACY DINNER: Culinary talents Sean Cousins, Dino Renarts, Theresa Nicassion, Shay Kelly and Saskia Nollen fronted Dan’s Legacy Foundation’s Chef’s Charity Dinner. Held at the Vancouver Club, the fourth staging drew 125 guests in support of the fledgling foundation’s efforts to help youth overcome childhood trauma and abuse and lead productive and fulfilling lives. Yours truly emceed the multi-course dinner and auction. Special guests making the scene included B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth Bernard Richard, former B.C. Finance Minister Carole Taylor and Jan Grude, president and CEO of Pacific Blue Cross. Before the call for support, the charity launched its film Passages, which tells the stories of young people whose lives have been helped immeasurably thanks to Dan’s Legacy. The evening of storytelling and lives saved raised $50,000 for the foundation. Proceeds will go towards the firm’s ongoing counselling and life-skills programs for youth. Since its inception, Dan’s Legacy — working with partner agencies — has helped more than 150 youth, reported Barbara Coates, executive director of Dan’s Legacy.
EXCEPTIONAL NIGHT: Every year, the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation presents A Night of a Thousand Stars, an opportunity to honour the healthcare teams who work tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of British Columbians. The 22nd annual staging would be one for the record books as a reported $5.95 million dollars was brought in from the black-tie dinner and auction. Chaired by Noordin and Nancey Nanji and a powerhouse committee of 10, the event attracted more than 900 philanthropic and healthcare leaders to the gala-do to solidify Vancouver General Hospital as a centre of excellence for surgical cancer treatment. Healthcare visionary Darlene Poole showed the way sparkplugging the extraordinary night with a close to $2-million gift to realize the hospital’s dream of bringing the next generation of surgical robots to VGH. Poole and her late husband Jack brought in the first surgical robot, aptly named Jack, nearly a decade ago. The starry night also featured a special presentation to Ben Yeung and his family. The Peterson Group patriarch was bestowed the Leadership Award, the foundation’s highest honour in recognition of his family’s exceptional philanthropic leadership and contribution to healthcare.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20am on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM; Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @FredAboutTown
