Fred Lee's Social Community: An evening of miracles

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MIRACLE WORKERS: On the heels of Diwali celebrations, the South Asian neighborhood got here collectively for the eleventh A Night time of Miracles fundraising gala, dinner and public sale. Warnett Hallen LLP’s Manjot Hallen and a tireless committee of Miracle staff steered this yr’s merrymaker on the Marriott Pinnacle Lodge.

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Greater than 440 philanthropic, enterprise and neighborhood leaders from B.C.’s South Asian neighborhood convened to lift almost $750,000 for B.C. Youngsters’s Hospital. Company in attendance represented the biggest turnout within the occasion’s historical past.

Based by Robin and Rena Dhir in 2009, the occasion — a must-attend on the South Asian social calendar — has raised $6.1 million demonstrating the neighborhood’s long-standing dedication to offering the most effective well being care conceivable to children throughout the province. This yr’s efforts would see attendees centered on funding pediatric diabetes well being care.

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Offered by Faskens and Rogers, it was one other extraordinary night of fantastic eating, dancing, and fundraising. Company had been enthralled by the transformation of the resort right into a vibrant backyard get together on the Taj Mahal — this yr’s gala theme. Masters of ceremonies Randip Janda of Hockey Night time in Canada Punjabi version and Tara Jean Stevens of KISS Radio lit up the stage as they co-hosted the night time of giving. As all the time, the ballroom was decked out in florals and vibrant colors, matching the ultrachic crowd. Company had been handled to stay Indian and conventional music, Bhangra dancers and naturally, scrumptious Indian fare by govt chef Ben Mattman.

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It was clear from the onset visitors — together with Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Nationwide Defence and Harry Bains, B.C.’s Minister of Labour — had been able to get together and to provide. Within the stay motion, 5 distinctive experiences commanded bids nicely above asking. An deal with by the Gills, this yr’s affected person household, and the story of care they acquired at B.C. Youngsters’s Hospital to handle their son Jayden’s sort 1 diabetes, sparkplugged extra giving. Main presents from the Shokar household, Stephens household, Raju household and others ensured the second largest tally within the occasion’s 11 years.

“As we rejoice our eleventh yr of A Night time of Miracles, I’m impressed as I look again on the various methods this annual gala has helped make a constructive distinction for youths’ well being throughout the province,” mentioned Teri Nicholas, President and CEO of B.C. Youngsters’s Hospital Basis. “And tonight, I’m deeply grateful for the help that this occasion’s visitors and companions have raised to assist advance care at B.C. Youngsters’s for youths and households who want it most.”

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“It’s such a fantastic privilege and alternative to deliver this neighborhood collectively as soon as once more to construct on the superb work already achieved, as we sit up for assist push the boundaries of what’s doable in baby well being throughout B.C.,” mentioned Manjot Hallen, chair of the A Night time of Miracles cupboard.

KPMG’s Sukesh Kumar and restaurateurs Tomoko and Raji Sandhar had been among the many 440 well-heeled visitors in attendance on the eleventh A Night time of Miracles Gala. Photograph: Fred Lee.

Randip Janda of Hockey Night time in Canada Punjabi Version and Tara Jean Stevens of KISS Radio emceed this yr’s gala dinner and public sale on the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Lodge. Photograph: Fred Lee.

Speakeasy soirée

THE BEE’S KNEES: Household Providers of Higher Vancouver hosted its second annual Roaring 20s Speakeasy soirée — a nod to the founding of the social company again in 1928. One of many longest-serving social businesses within the province, the society started with a single case employee and mission to help struggling households in British Columbia. The Company has since grown to virtually 500 employees working greater than 80 neighborhood and social providers applications throughout 13 places in Vancouver and the Decrease Mainland. Final yr, FSGV helped greater than 12,000 households, seniors, girls and youth once they wanted it most.

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Staged on the Terminal Metropolis Membership and introduced by the McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund, the members-only house was remodeled as soon as once more whisking visitors again to the prohibition period with bespoke cocktails and interval music from the Gatsby Strutters greeting some 250 visitors who made the scene. CEO Karin Kirkpatrick, and a really succesful committee of devoted volunteers and staffers — Prathna Batra, Natalie Harcourt, Susanne Kingshott, Marcela McBurney, Claudia Wand, Trevor Zeck, Amanda Sayfy and Lisa Mitchell — led this yr’s occasion and fundraising cost.

No scarcity of funding video games — from a raffle, to a silent and stay public sale — there was ample alternatives to provide. The largest give as all the time got here within the paddle elevate. Following a heartfelt story from the Reids, a consumer household, attendees opened their hearts and wallets. Not figuring out the place to show to get assist to take care of their son’s ADHD, Tanya and her husband Chris credit score FSGV for saving them. Working with a counsellor, the couple was in a position to deal with their challenges, acquire confidence and resilience as mother and father.

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Greater than $170,000 was reportedly raised, toppling final yr’s inaugural success by $25,000.

“Thanks to everybody for popping out and exhibiting your help on your mates and neighbours in the neighborhood,” mentioned Kirkpatrick. “Must you ever want us, Household Providers is right here for you and your loved ones — as a result of nobody is exempt from life’s challenges. Household Providers is right here for everybody.”

Terminal Metropolis Membership Common Supervisor Peter Jackman and World TV’s Fiona Forbes hosted Household Providers of Higher Vancouver’s flagship fundraiser. Photograph: Fred Lee. 

65 Roses Gala

OH LA LA!Leona and Max Pinsky have been tireless champions of Cystic Fibrosis after their younger daughter Rina was identified with the genetic dysfunction. They had been instructed she wouldn’t stay to be college age. The couple created the 65 Roses Gala 19 years in the past to deliver extra consciousness to the trigger and far wanted funding in analysis and take care of folks dwelling with CF.  Since its inception, the occasion has raised greater than $4.2 million. Whereas there may be nonetheless no remedy, because of the development of science — together with the Canadian discovery of the gene chargeable for CF — people with CF could be anticipated to stay into their 50s. Rina Pinsky is now learning on the College of Victoria.

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The couple would lead the fundraising cost as soon as once more on the nineteenth 65 Roses Gala — referred to as such when a 4 yr previous baby listening to the title pronounced cystic fibrosis as 65 Roses. The Pinsky’s $10,000 reward ignited a tidal wave of giving on the Parisian themed La Nuit en Rose fundraiser leading to a $250,000 night time for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

One other tireless advocate was CF affected person Eva Markvoort. Eva was 26 when she died in 2010. The previous 2002 Miss New Westminster magnificence queen typically blogged about her life, household and trials dwelling with CF. She additionally chronicled her await a life-saving double lung transplant in an award-winning documentary. Her loss of life sparked one other annual fundraiser Garden Summer season Nights. In Markvoort’s reminiscence, a gaggle of pageant queens greeted 65 Roses gala-goers in reminiscence of the younger lady who championed organ donation and put a highlight on cystic fibrosis worldwide.

“The funds raised are so vital to our investments in analysis, well being care and advocacy,” says Kelly Grover, President and CEO, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “Whereas now we have made fantastic progress, there may be nonetheless a lot work to be completed. The generosity displayed may have unimaginable impression and is what’s going to change the way forward for this illness.”

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