SILVER TURNS TO GOLD AT UNICEF GALA
The 25th annual UNICEF Canada Water for Life Gala, held Oct. 14 at the Hyatt Regency, raised more than $1 million to support vulnerable children around the world. Readers may recall last year’s gala raised $919,000, which supported the construction of boreholes, water pumps and latrine blocks in schools and health centres in remote villages across Chad, and helped create community-based water safety plans to ensure the ongoing supply of safe drinking water in rural parts of Mongolia.
“Clean water is something many of us in Canada might take for granted. However, 2.1 billion people around the world lack access to safe drinking water at home — that’s three out of every 10 people on the planet,” said David Morley, UNICEF Canada president and CEO.
“Children are the most vulnerable among them. Clean water is critical to their health – and to the health of their communities. Calgary consistently delivers for kids around the world through the Water for Life Gala. The true spirit of Calgarians is clear in their dedication and support as we work to reach vulnerable children around the world, and provide safe water for every child,” he added.
That more than $12 million has been raised through the Calgary gala is something to be proud of. And the silver anniversary gala will see that number top $13 million.
Highlights of the event (the gala was completely sold out by the first part of June!) were numerous — not the least of which being a stellar performance by multi Grammy and JUNO Award winner Sarah McLachlan and a keynote address from Ishmael Beah, the UNICEF Advocate for Children Affected by War. Beah is a former child soldier from Sierra Leone who is now a celebrated author and child rights advocate. Other highlights included a four-course dinner created especially for the event by Hyatt Regency Calgary’s executive chef David Flegel and an amazing array (169 items) of silent auction items.
Spotted among the 680 guests this night were: gala co-chairs Hanita Simard and Andrea Gerencser; Patrons Council chair Sue Riddell Rose and her husband Mike Rose; Dr. Michael Giuffre and his wife Heather; Nancy McCurdy and Lane Caputo managing partner Michael Caputo; CATSA vicechair Peter Wallis and his wife Terry; Patrons Council members Leslie Fryers and Penny Whitlock with their spouses Cliff Fryers and Wayne Whitlock, Q.C.; gala co-chair of the very first event 25 years ago, Lynne Kearns; Peggy and Brien Perry; Hyatt Regency general manager Amy Johnson; UNICEF national events manager Holly Davidson and her daughter, auction chair Diane Davidson; Bennett Jones’s John Cordeau, Q.C. and his wife Madame Justice Carolyn Phillips; philanthropist and community leader Ann McCaig; NevSun Resources’ Joe Giuffre and his wife Marcela; and UNICEF Canada board member Chris Simard, of Bennett Jones.