Never Give Up when it comes to the kids

Three words have been a part of Wood’s Homes for more than 100 years, in one way or another: Never Give Up. This promise has also now become the name for its signature event that took place on Sept. 12 at the Hyatt — the Never Give Up Gala. Wood’s Homes is a children’s mental health centre that employs more than 400 people working in 35 programs in Calgary, Lethbridge, Canmore, Strathmore, Fort McMurray and Fort Smith, NWT.

More than 450 guests attended the gala and enjoyed a performance from Flip Arts Academy, listened to moving testimonials from clients and supporters and danced the night away with the Dino Martinis. Wood’s Homes Foundation board member and gala chair, RBC Wealth Management’s Kata Acheson and her committee are to be commended for the hard work and dedication.

The evening brought together the family that is Wood’s Homes — its many generous donors, sponsors, partners, friends and neighbours. Global Calgary’s Paul Dunphy did a fine job emceeing, with Calgary Stampeder’s running back Jon Cornish helping out with the raffle and prize draws. Some spectacular items were up for grabs — a Fiji getaway from Rick and Linda Skauge, a Stampede party at The Metropolitan Centre, a package that included a private concert with country star Lindsay Ell and a cattle drive with the Black Diamond Land & Cattle Company. The latter was hotly contested between a bidder in the room and one on the phone — and ended up selling twice, each time for more than $25,000.

An eloquent introduction for a client speech was made by Renee Hopfner, director of community investment for Safeway, title sponsor of the event. Others in attendance included: silver sponsors Carri Clarke and Reid Brodylo from Fort Calgary Resources; RBC Wealth Management’s Tom Foss and his wife Jennifer; decor sponsor City Wide Towing and Recovery Services’ Ron and Wendy Voelk; bronze sponsors Canadian Oil Sands’ Trudy Curran and Laureen DuBois; David and Linda Tuer; BMO Nesbitt Burns senior vice-president Tim Churchill- Smith; Gary Sartorio, owner of Shaganappi GM and president and CEO of Calgary Harley-Davidson; and others pictured at right.

With files from Sylvia McIver

PHOTOS: STUART GRADON From left, at Wood’s Homes Never Give up Gala held Sept. 12 at the Hyatt are emcee Global Calgary’s Paul Dunphy, gala chair Kata Acheson, gala keynote speaker Markus Koenig and Canada Safeway director of community investment Renee Hopfner. Safeway was...

Posing for the lens are silver sponsors Foss Wealth Management’s Jennifer and Tom Foss.

Pictured, from left, are Calgary Stampeders great Jon Cornish, Wood’s Homes CEO Dr. Jane Matheson and emcee Paul Dunphy.

Among the hundreds of guests in attendance at Wood’s Homes Never Give up Gala were, from left, Fort Calgary Resources’ Reid Brodylo and Carri Clark with Susan and Brian Dunn. Fort Calgary Resources was the gala silver sponsor.

Even the young ones know the value of philanthropy as evidenced by their attendance at the gala. From left are Holly Hnatiuk, Nika Evenson, Anna Mathison, Grace Evenson and Megan Mathison.

Among the hundreds of guests in attendance at Wood’s Homes Never Give up Gala held September 12 at the Hyatt were Dennis and Alexis Chorney.

Supporters Shaganappi GM owner and president/ CEO of Calgary Harley-Davidson Gary Sartorio and his son, Cole.

Wood’s Homes would not be the success it is were it not for the philanthropic support of many. Pictured are avid supporters David Tuer and his wife, Linda.

Wood’s Homes Foundation board chair Robert Hayes addresses those in attendance.