Fred Lee’s social network
IN PRAISE OF WATER Canada’s foremost charity fundraiser for clean water drew 200 prominent artists, musicians and philanthropists to the Rosewood Hotel Georgia for the sophomore running of the Waterkeeper Gala, presented by Telus.
Award-winning Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky headlined the gala that included musical performances by Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard, Barney Bentall, Shari Ulrich, Rachelle Van Zanten and a special appearance by Jordan Smith, the Season 9 winner of NBC’s The Voice.
Chaired by Mark Mattson, founder of the national series of Waterkeeper Galas, and Lauren Hornor, the executive director of Fraser Riverkeeper, eco-friendly guests mixed, mingled and sipped on champagne before sitting down to a sumptuous dinner and spirited live auction in support of our most precious resource.
“We pollute the waters we have,” says Hornor. “Sewage is the biggest problem with 30-billion litres of it going into the Fraser River, Burrard Inlet and Georgia Strait every year. There are more than 1,000 drinking water advisories across the country and one-quarter of those are here in B.C.”
Her message resonated with attendees when it came time to give. An Edmonton Oilers VIP package with the Great One — Wayne Gretzky — and Kevin Lowe fetched $17,000 in the live auction, but the largest haul came when auctioneer Howard Blank simply invited attendees to make a donation to protect the future of our water. Donations ranging from $250 and $5,000 flooded in, contributing to a record-setting evening.
A reported $200,000 was collected, more than doubling last year’s tally. Proceeds from the night of music and philanthropy will benefit Swim Drink Fish Canada and B.C.'s Fraser Riverkeeper, founded in 2004 to protect and restore the Fraser River and its watershed, ensuring the right of all citizens to safely swim, drink and fish in B.C. waters.
Among the enviro elite in attendance: Scientist David Suzuki, activist Tzeporah Berman, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal and broadcast and recording executive Denise Donlon, who served as master of ceremonies.
“There is no more urgent cause in Canada than protecting the waters that make our country the best place to live in the world,” said Mattson, the president of Swim Drink Fish Canada.
Since its creation five years ago, Mattson’s series of Waterkeeper Galas staged in major cities across Canada have raised more than $2.6 million to support the firm’s core programs and create a national movement to promote water culture.
BUILDING BRIDGES The union of grassroots agencies Multilingual Social Service and Language Aid for Ethnic Groups, MOSAIC — Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities — was founded in 1976 in response to the ongoing challenges faced by Vancouver’s many non-English-speaking immigrants.
Since those early days of providing settlement services and volunteer interpretation, MOSAIC has established itself as one of the province’s pre-eminent and influential organizations serving 25,000 immigrants, newcomers and refugees yearly from 32 locations throughout the Greater Vancouver area.
Today, the social service agency offers a host of programs and services, from English language classes, counselling and legal advocacy to skills assessment, employment services and interpretation and translation services in 70 languages.
The non-profit recently marked its 40 years of service at Festival MOSAIC, its annual fundraiser, where yours truly was MC for the magical evening of music, food and dance. Staged at the Roundhouse Community Centre, this year’s diverse cultural program featured performances by D.J. BFAD, Cirque West, Katari Taiko Drum Group and Kesseke Yeo and Kiss of Africa.
Steered by board chair Dr. Mehran Kiai, executive director Eyob Naizghi and chief fundraiser Ninu Kang, more than 200 guests including U.S. Consul General Lynne Platt and MLA Richard Lee (Burnaby North) filed into the community space for the anniversary celebrations. A reunion of sorts, attendees heard from a host of speakers instrumental to MOSAIC’s success. They included MOSAIC co-founder Roxanna Aune, the society’s first executive director Vera Radyo and former board member Ujjal Dosanjh, B.C.’s 33rd premier.
A leader in helping settle some of the 3,500 Syrian refugees in B.C. this past year, MOSAIC welcomed two special guests to the merrymaker — Samar Rahal and Dr. Mohamad Ismael Ali. Both shared their courageous journey fleeing the violence and civil unrest in Syria to reach Canada, as well as their heartfelt appreciation of MOSAIC and the hospitality they received from Canadians in their adopted home. Their inspired stories not only opened hearts, but purse strings. The community gathering celebrating the mosaic of cultures in our province raised $70,000, according to event organizer Dimpel Sandhu.