Vehicles and Violins Gala boosts charities
It simply does not get any better than pairing glorious music with beautiful new cars and trucks. Add to the mix a substantial charitable component and you have the makings of a successful event. For 16 years, the Calgary Motor Dealers Association (CMDA) has hosted the Vehicles and Violins Gala in support of Calgary charities with 100 per cent of the money raised going to the charities. Since its inception, more than $3.3 million has been raised. Charitable organizations as varied as Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC) and Alzheimer Society of Calgary to the Missing Children Society of Canada and the Prostate Cancer Institute of Calgary have shared in the event’s success.
And this year, proceeds from the 16th annual Vehicles and Violins Gala held March 8 were shared equally between Fresh Start Recovery Centre, The Alex and Children’s Cottage Society. Since 1992, Fresh Start has provided housing, treatment and support for those recovering from the disease of addiction. Since 1996, Children’s Cottage has been dedicated to preventing harm and neglect through the Children’s Cottage Crisis Nursery — the only facility of its kind in Calgary providing a 24/7/365 safe haven for children. Since 1973, The Alex has provided services born from the belief that health is the complete state of physical, mental, emotional, social and economic well-being with its primary focus being youth programs.
Representatives from each of these invaluable charities were in attendance at the gala including: Fresh Start’s Craig Borgland, Stacey Petersen and Wayne Steer; Children’s Cottage CEO Patty Kilgallon; and The Alex CEO Shelley Heartwell. Others in attendance this night included: Postmedia regional vice-president, advertising sales, B.C. and Calgary Paul Batchelor; Ed Huculak, Calgary Herald/ Calgary Sun director of sales; Calgary Herald/Calgary Sun media sales managers Laura Linnell, Warren Clunie and Sherrie Sawkey; Calgary Herald/Calgary Sun editor Jose Rodriguez with his wife Nichole Rodriguez and her father Allan Mulla; CMDA president Nate Clarke; CMP Auto service manager Rob Miller and CMP Auto general manager Kyle Romeril; McManes Automotive vice-president, real estate, Rick Bowie and Gemalto’s Kim Caves; and Sterling Western Star Trucks Alberta dealer principal Cindy Clark.