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THEY SHOOT, THEY SOAR:
Hockey parents know the cost for kids to play Canada’s game is expensive. From registration fees, equipment, ice time, travel, tournaments and other factors, the cost can be a barrier for many families to get their children into the game.
Acknowledging the challenge facing families, Thunderbirds Minor Hockey Association — one of the largest amateur hockey leagues in the province with some 1,000 players — presented Thunderball, its premiere fundraising event designed to keep fees affordable and assist financially strapped kids and families wanting to participate in our national pastime.
Hockey mom and dads enjoyed a rare evening to themselves, leaving their kids at home with babysitters, friends and family members to attend the Bollywood-themed affair, the organization’s 12th off-ice hockey hoopla and charity dinner held at the Fraserview Hall in East Vancouver.
Fronted by party chair Bal Sandhu and association president Chantal Cotton, several hundred parents along with league leaders filed into the community space to mix, mingle, and dance while partaking in fundraising games.
Music, great food and an array of auction items greeted partygoers who convened dressed in their finest saris and Bollywood best. A spirited game of heads and tails got the fundraising effort started.
A live auction of a one-of a-kind bucket list trip to Africa yours truly conducted further unlocked funds, and by the third period attendees assisted in helping the association score a sizable haul to keep costs down and help underserved kids skate, shoot, and soar both on and off the ice.
SCIENCE EXPERIMENT:
Science World’s fourth annual fundraising event, Science of Cocktails, at Telus World of Science concocted another $280,000 for the innovation centre.
Fast becoming the go-to event for drink enthusiasts, 1,500 attendees made the scene to experience the physics, chemistry and biology behind cocktails. Presented by New Avenue Capital and led this year by Clare Charnley, Trevor Kallies and Clement Lau, more than 35 beverage stations were sprinkled throughout the multi-level geodesic dome, each one offering uniquely crafted libations from award-winning bartenders.
A destination for mixologists, this year’s event featured Canada’s best alongside 10 visiting bar stars. They included Jenee Craver from Chicago, Michael Dumapias from Miami and Sarah Parniuk and Christina Veira representing Toronto.
Guests also enjoyed mouth-watering food pairings prepared by locally renowned restaurants and caterers, as well as science activities, hands-on demos and Science World programming.
A party with a purpose, proceeds from the record haul will go to Science World’s Class Field Trip Bursary Program.
The monies raised will allow some 9,000 kids from under-served schools the opportunity to visit Science World this year by covering their entry and school bus fee.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get the local food and beverage community engaged and we’re thrilled to see so many young adults visit Science World to engage in fun, hands-on learning,” said Dr. Scott Sampson, president and CEO of Science World.
RECORD SHINE: Judy Leung once again steered VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation’s Viva Pharmaceutical Time to Shine Gala.
Since the inaugural gala in 2015, this dazzling event has raised a total of $10.3 million for priority hospital needs. Always a spectacular evening — the event made last year’s Top 10 best parties of 2018 — the posh party had all the elements of another winning night.
From the fine dining, glamorous decor and an exclusive selection of unique auction items for VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s benefactors, this year’s celebration did not disappoint. The 2019 outing would add another remarkable $5.36 million to foundation coffers, earmarked for the hospital’s $60-million Future of Surgery campaign and efforts to kit out 16 new operating rooms with minimally invasive state-of-the-art life-saving technology.
The ballroom was transformed into a wonderful dreamscape, setting the tone for well-heeled attendees to imagine the possibilities their gifts would bring to transforming health care for all British Columbians.
Following a sumptuous dinner prepared by Michelin star Chicago chef Ryan McCaskey and newly appointed Fairmont Pacific Rim executive chef Glenn Thompson, hospital benefactors Donald and Julia Leung spark-plugged the night of philanthropy with a lead gift of $1 million. Following recent surgery and care at Vancouver General Hospital, Robert Lee and his wife Lily would add another $1-million gift.
Five one-of-a-kind live auction experiences furthered fuelled generosity in the room. It would all once again culminate with a torrent of donations ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 during the call out for cash.
Among the major donors opening their hearts and wallets: Jason and Emily Ko, David and Alice Chung, Edmund and Cecilia Heung, Julie and James King, John and Linda Wong, Phoenix and Dennis Huang, Xin Mao and Pei Huang, Hilary and Patsy Hui, Tirta Liu and Sharon Kao, Allen and Karen Wong, Thomas H.C. Cheung, Doug Hyndman, Cecilia Tse, Shirley Gao, Sharon Kao, Phoenix Shih and Mandie Leung.
“Tonight we celebrated community, philanthropy and health care in British Columbia,” said Barbara Grantham, CEO, VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation.
“An unprecedented night, sincere thanks to everyone who is helping transform health care in our province by providing state-of-the-art facilities and technology for medical experts to save and improve lives,” added Leung.