Dads matter at annual Up & Away Charity Gala

There are myriad courses one can take to learn everything from gardening and home repairs to cooking, piano, painting and anything else you can imagine.

But how odd that one of the most important things we can ever do in our lives — parenting — is not something one can be taught — nor enrol in a course to enhance one’s parenting skills.

The value of a strong relationship between dads and their children cannot be underestimated. Few resources are available for men to help them tackle the unique challenges of fatherhood. Enter the Unlocking Potential Foundation. Its new cutting-edge program beginning this fall at the Louise Dean Centre will serve young fathers (under 26) by providing parenting training, education and employment support, and, perhaps most importantly, co-parenting coaching to ensure a functional relationship with his child’s mother whether they are in a relationship or not.

Raising funds for this new program was what the 2015 Up & Away Charity Gala held May 7 at the BMO Centre, was all about. The gala was a tremendous success and raised $182,000 — 30 per cent more than last year’s gala. Highlights of the 6th annual event were numerous including a performance by guitarist Calum Graham and a keynote address from NotaBLE and The Nash director David Singleton. Singleton shared how counselling has helped him be a better father and employer.

Others in attendance included: UP Foundation CEO Patricia Jones and her husband, Suncor’s Kim Jones; UP Foundation board chair Tony Ciarla; emcee Chad Coyes; volunteer Carrie Grant; UP Foundation’s Jessica Williams; Catholic Family Service’s Madelene Vanderburg and Hugh McGeary; Ted and Shirley Valentine; Kathleen Stacey; Gordon B. Lang president Bill Murphy and his wife Donna Murphy with founder Gordon Lang and his wife Louise Lang; Lafarge Canada vice-president and general manager Bob Spence with Kiros Energy Marketing’s Cara Richardson; and Precision Drilling president and CEO Kevin Neveu and his wife Trish Neveu, Catholic Family Service board chair.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS The sixth annual Up & Away Charity Gala held May 7 in the Palomino Room raised 30 per cent more than last year’s gala. No small feat in these challenging economic times. Pictured at the gala, from left, are volunteer Carrie Grant, UP board chair Tony Ciarla and UP CEO Patricia Jones.

From left at the Up & Away Charity Gala held May 7 in the Palomino Room are UP's Jessica Williams, guest Katlleen Stacey and UP’s Madelene Vanderburg.

Avid community supporters Ted and Shirley Valentine were among the 460 guests in attendance at the sixth annual Up & Away Charity Gala May 7.

At the 6th annual Up & Away Charity Gala were Suncor’s Kim Jones, left, and event emcee Chad Coyes.

From left are Bill and Donna Murphy with Louise and Gordon Lang. The event raised $182,000 for programs to help dads be better dads.

From left are Madyson and Olivia Singleton with proud dad David Singleton, keynote speaker; and Hugh McGeary of Catholic Family Services.

Lafarge vice-president and general manager Bob Spence with Kiros Energy Marketing’s Cara Richardson.

Precision Drilling president and CEO Kevin Neveu and his wife Trish, board chair, Catholic Family Service.