Fred Lee’s social network

HOPE SPRINGS The Segal family’s giving way continues.

Following the record success of Lorne Segal’s Courage to Come Back Awards — which generated a record $1.6 million for mental health a few weeks back — this time it was his brother Gary Segal’s turn to create some magic. And what a night of wonder it was.

His gala evening to Bring Back Hope, which he created with his wife Nanci, raised an astonishing $1.8 million, nearly doubling the couple’s efforts in 2012 when the party made its debut.

After being introduced 10 years ago to surgeon Dr. Rick Hodes and one of his complex spine patients Tesfaye — a TB-deformed Ethiopian brought to Vancouver for life-saving surgery — the couple was compelled to do more to support Hodes.

Hodes, medical director for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, has been providing to Ethiopians for the past quarter century, devoting his personal and professional life to Ethiopia’s sick and poor.

Now backed by UBC’s medical faculty and branch for international surgical care, 11 reported trips to the underserved region supported by the likes of doctors Robert Taylor, Brian Westerberg and John Street has further provided life-altering care to thousands and education to the next generation of medical staff working in the low-resource, landlocked country.

Hundreds once again filled the Vancouver Convention Centre to celebrate and support the surgical care Hodes and fellow surgeon Ohbena Boachie-Adjei have been providing in Ethiopia and Ghana, respectively.

Leading the party charge was another game changer and humanitarian, Rick Hansen. Fresh from his own gala-do marking 30 years of the Man in Motion Tour (which raised $600,000), the champion of accessible and inclusive communities ignited the night’s festivities and outpouring of generosity.

YOUNG SPARKPLUGS As we celebrate our country’s 150th birthday, we celebrate that which makes Canada great.

Among the bevy of reasons is our commitment to helping others locally, nationally and especially globally, as peacekeepers and humanitarians.

Spark Global Philanthropic Foundation sets out to exemplify all that is special about Canadians.

Created this year by leading philanthropist Abdul Ladha and his wife Hanifa, and joined by his teenage daughters Sabrina, 18, and Sophia, 15, the family is leading the way to teach the next generation of youth ages 13 to 23 to be charitable and investing in sustainable endeavours worldwide.

Inspired by their parents’ charitable ways, the sisters recruited their Collingwood classmates to embrace the challenge to be caring global citizens.

The students responded in spades creating their own philanthropic portfolios, which would be beneficiaries of the inaugural Spark Gala.

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel, event planners Lara Taylor and Monti Samuel greeted 300 change-makers — philanthropists, influencers, business and community leaders — gathered for the extraordinary multi-generational dinner and auction.

Exclusive concert tickets to see teen heartthrobs Shawn Mendes and Charlie Puth and rock bands Matchbox Twenty and Counting Crows commanded top dollars in the live auction, contributing to an impressive $1,050,000 raised at the debut-do.

The monies will go toward charitable efforts that include feeding the hungry worldwide, lifting orphans out of poverty in East Africa and supporting refugee families right here in Canada.

Spark mentors such as Ladha, Sandy Elliott, Harold Ludwig, Alison Volken and Peter Goodwin will help students curate, measure and manage their philanthropy projects for value and impact.

GOLDEN SMITH National treasure Gordon Smith made a rare appearance at his foundation’s annual Spring Luncheon, a benefit to support the Gordon and Marion Smith Gallery and Artists for Kids Program he initiated.

Celebrating his 98th birthday today, the painter, sculptor and art educator received a standing ovation from attendees who made the scene for the 14th staging of the afternoon art auction and lunch, held at West Vancouver’s Capilano Golf & Country Club.

Yours truly was master of ceremonies for the $200-a-ticket fundraiser, which attracted some 20 of Canada’s major artists, including Douglas Coupland, Ross Penhall and Ian Wallace.

Not surprisingly, it was Smith’s mixed media canvas piece that garnered the biggest attention from collectors and art enthusiasts. Sold by veteran auctioneer Barry Scott, the Smith piece fetched nearly $20,000, which contributed to the $138,000 netted from the afternoon luau. Fronted by foundation chair Paul Killeen and executive director Gail

Johnson, event proceeds supported the firm’s ongoing efforts to promote Canadian artists and to bring art education to as many children as possible.

Since 1990, Artists for Kids has been inspiring thousands of young people with its unique artist-and teacher-led programs. With just five per cent of funding coming from government, the charity relies heavily on the generosity of individuals and businesses.

PHOTOS: FRED LEE/PNG Philanthropist Gary Segal feted spinal surgeons Rick Hodes and Ohbena Boachie-Adjei for their transformative work in Ethiopia and Ghana respectively. The Segal family showed the way with a $120,000 gift to ignite the night of giving. Bring back hope

Community leader Lily Lee and her daughter-in-law Carlota Lee came out to support Gary and Nanci Segal and their efforts to continue the journey of hope. The night of wonder raised a record-setting $1.8 million.

Dr. Dermot Kelleher, the dean for UBC Faculty of Medicine, escorted his wife Dr. Jean Holohan to the Bring Back Hope banquet. UBC’s Branch for International Surgical care educates the next generation of surgeons to work in low-resourced and underserved...

Gala co-chair Nanci Segal welcomed another champion of accessible and inclusive communities in Rick Hansen, who recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his Man in Motion global tour.

MLA Andrew Wilkinson and his wife, Barbara Grantham, president and CEO of the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation, were among the guests who attended the sophomore staging of the Bring Back Hope Gala.

Fresh from planning and hosting Rick Hansen’s 30th anniversary benefit a few weeks ago, Nordstrom’s Desha Sekhon and Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s Philip Meyer returned to support the Man in Motion at the Bring Back Hope Gala.

PHOTOS: FRED LEE Philanthropist Abdul Ladha and his wife Hanifa created the Spark Global Philanthropic Foundation to promote and teach strategic philanthropic practices that empower youth to understand and navigate charity.

Smith Foundation chair Paul Killeen and director Richard White were all smiles after their art auction and luncheon netted $138,000.

Event planners Lara Taylor and Monti Samuel readied the Four Seasons Ballroom for the memorable night of giving.

Yolande Martinello’s Artists for Kids Program benefited from Barry Scott’s auctioneering skills. Proceeds from the Spring Luncheon would support the foundation’s efforts to bring art education to as many children as possible.

Collingwood students Sabrina and Sophia Ladha looked to inspire fellow students to be future innovators and leaders in philanthropy and charitable organizations locally and abroad.

Lift the Children Foundation’s John and Chawna Volken are among the generous founders who are paving the way to spark and inspire the next generation to take part through service and giving.

Spark Foundation founding member Sandy Elliott welcomed Mohammed Alsaleh, one of the first 28 Syrians resettled in B.C. The former medical student is building a new life as a refugee settlement worker.

Artist Dina Goldstein kibitzed with celebrated artist Gordon Smith, who made a rare appearance at the 14th annual Spring Luncheon and Art Auction.

Designer Simon Chiang and painter Tiko Kerr were among the many artists who contributed to the successful fundraiser efforts.

Humanitarians and game-changers Arya Eshghi and her husband Hamid were among the heavyweights and supporters in the ballroom that helped raise more than $1 million for global kindness and good.

Bringing greetings from the PM was Liberal MP Pamela Goldsmith Jones, and her husband Geoff.