Young leaders display their savvy

The young pioneers of the March For Our Lives and Never Again movement in the U.S. have been highlighting of late just how smart, resourceful and actionoriented the next generation of leaders (yes leaders!) can be. Which is why I was anything but surprised by the truly awesome job of the young organizing team at this year’s edition of the annual Ste-Justine’s Ball — The Grown-Up’s Ball For Children. Meet the dream teamers: Catherine Sharp and Chloé Teasdale, chairs of the mighty umbrella Young Leaders Circle, made up of young entrepreneurs and professionals responsible for organizing four benefit events a year for the foundation; 2018 ball co-chairs Éric Laberge and Vanessa Poulin Bouffard; ball committee members Camille Azaïs, Jean-François Blaquière, Stéphanie-Kim Cérat, Victor Charlebois, Aude Constantin, Marie-Ève Desrochers, Mike Furino, Caroline Gervais, François Jacques-Cantin, Caroline Khangi, Stéphanie Laberge, Stéphanie Lamothe, Nathalie Marchand, Angeliki Panayotacopoulos, Roméo Roberge, Daphné Robert-Careau, Rachel StAmand and Justine Voyer; event patron Francisco Randez, and ambassadors Maika Desnoyers, Debby Doktorczyk, Sally Folk, Marie-Josée Gauvin, Patrice Groleau, Anne Lovely Etienne, Andy Mailly-Pressoir, Kevin Raphael, Carolane and Josiane Stratis, Kim Sullivan and Drea Wheeler.

As for the event mastery … First off, there was that brilliant venue: Alexandra Pier in the Old Port. A new option on the event-hosting/throwing front, the savvy young organizers were one of the first to capitalize on the venue’s potential, showing the many attending supporters just how fabulous the already fabulously modern party space can be with their addition of neon glow-in-the-dark lighting, cool furnishings, well-placed VIP lounges and myriad creative activations and foodie spots that we’ll have more on soon.

Next, there was that huge, glittering, VIP crowd! These organizing rockstars managed to exceed even last year’s expectations, attracting a record number of high-profile attendees (more than 1,200) topped by the likes of Véronique Cloutier and husband Louis Morissette, Ludivine Reding, Valérie Chevalier, Cherry Lena, Wilder Weir, Olympians Joannie Rochette and Roseline Filion and countless others.

What about all that entertainment teased above? For those who love a good photo booth (or two), there were fun pose-worthy stops courtesy of Digital Skin and La Petite Touche. For those beguiled by really good vocals, there was songstress-to-know Nicole Musoni. For those who love to let their hair down on the dance floor, DJs Olivier Lamontagne and Twitch delivered the goods. And for those who love innovative touches, there was that supersized interactive light bright installation (thanks to the National Bank), mandala coloured windows (thanks to Pfizer) and many wondrous other ogle-worthy contributions of event partner, Station 16 Gallery, whose team stayed faithful to the theme of childhood while showcasing the gifts of new and emerging young artists.

Oh dear! Was the food fun forgotten? That can’t be! Kudos to leading drinkeries and eateries who brought their A-game à la Moët & Chandon, Maggie Oakes, Méchant Boeuf, Bird Bar, Bevo (midnight snacking as it should be), Trou de Beigne and numerous others.

Given the above fête universe and invaluable support of patrons, it’s no surprise the evening surpassed goals on the fundraising front, raising $293,000 toward the CHU SteJustine Foundation’s financing of the hospital’s Centre of Excellence in Neonatology. Special mention of the valued partners is also in order here, without whom the success of the event and all-important goal of supporting the centre would simply not have been possible. They included: proud presenting partners McGill Immobilier and Engel & Volkers, cocktail dinatoire sponsor, the National Bank, principals, Pfizer and Station 16, as well as VIP booth partners National Bank Financial Wealth Management, Parent Paiement Wealth Management Group, Groupe KO, Ivanhoe Cambridge Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, TMX, Complexes funéraires Yves Légaré, Soprema and still others. For more: diaryofasocialgal.com.

DAN PROKOPOWICZ LET’S GET THS PARTY STARTED! Marie Mado and pal were among the first to hit the dance floor at the recent Ste-Justine’s Ball.

DAN PROKOPOWICZ BEAUTY AND THE BACK: Committee member Stéphanie Lamothe, snapped from the back at the ball.

JF GALIPEAU EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDED! Committee members gather for a shot with the record-breaking $293,000 cheque for the CHU Ste-Justine Foundation’s support of the hospital’s Centre of Excellence in Neonatology.

EVA PHOTO Hotel William Gray’s Maggie Oakes’ Erick Tremblay, chef Wadensky Fontaine and François Vallée supply trademark fine fare against an art-FULL background.

JF GALIPEAU PARTY PARADISE: More than 1,200 supporters flocked to the recent ball at Alexandra Pier.

JF GALIPEAU SPARKLERS & OTHER SURPRISES were all the rage at the bastion of creativity that was this year’s ball.

DAN PROKOPOWICZ CHEERS TO THE A-TEAM! CHU SteJustine Foundation president/CEO Maud Cohen, Ivan Blais and Tania Marineau toast the success of the event.

DAN PROKOPOWICZ GALS IN CHAMPAGNE GREIGE: Toronto’s Kate Barrett and good gal pal Marie Gonneville of Moët & Chandon, show off pretty pale hues.

PROKOPOWICZ DAN CELEB SIZZLE! Media powerhouse Véronique Cloutier and husband, beloved actor, scriptwriter, humorist Louis Morissette bring their signature magic to the ball.

PROKOPOWICZ DAN TOP-TIER: Patrice Groleau and wife/ partner Debby Doktorczyk, of proud presenting partners, McGill Immobilier and Engel & Volkers, enjoy festivities in their VIP booth.

PROKOPOWICZ DAN GAGGLE OF GREATS: Young Leaders Circle co-chair Catherine Sharp, event ambassador Kim “Sulli” Sullivan, radio personality Heather Ray, committee member Marie-Ève Desrochers, and event patron Francisco Randez pose for the glamcam.

PROKOPOWICZ DAN OLYMPIC COOL: Olympic diver turned broadcaster Roseline Filion lends support to the event.