A SPOTLIGHT ON THE CITY

Out and about with our man Brooks

The invaluable services offered by the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC) are more important than ever — especially in light of the opioid crisis devastating our beloved community.

AARC saves lives. Since 1992, AARC has treated more than 588 adolescents and their more than 2,000 family members. When a young person walks through the doors of AARC, they’re desperate. Completely hopeless. And often suicidal.

The devastating spiral of adolescent addiction to alcohol and/or drugs rips everyone apart. And yet, thanks to AARC, clients graduate from its programs feeling freedom and hope. From darkness to light, graduates describe the outcomes as magical.

And magical was what the theme of AARC’s silver anniversary gala was all about. The Magical Moments 25th Anniversary Gala held May 17 in the BMO Centre at Stampede Park was an enormous success, raising $1,087,525.

Such phenomenal success wouldn’t be possible were it not for the support of title sponsor Remington Development Corporation, which has been in the lead role since Day 1.

Highlights of the evening were numerous including Dave Kelly’s masterful emceeing skills.

Meanwhile, 14-year auctioneer Danny Hooper encouraged guests to bid more than $54,000 on items including:

A Shearwater fishing trip Accommodations and tickets to the 2018 Masters golf tournament at Augusta

A Cattle Drive Experience A Calgary Flames “Game Day Experience” with post- game dressing room access.

In a wonderful address, board chair Ann McCaig shared 25 “magical moments stories.”

There were powerful video testimonials from AARC graduates at different stages in their lives and a powerful speech from AARC executive director Dr. Dean Vause, who was joined on stage by more than 75 AARC graduates — some dating from as far back as 1993.

Others among the hundreds of guests in attendance were: invaluable AARC supporters Allan, Jess and Patricia Markin; philanthropists Dick and Lois Haskayne; Tom and Debra Mauro; Deputy Police Chief Sat Parhar and his wife Sandy Parhar; Sheldon Kennedy; RGO’s Ross Glen and his wife Shirley; Ron and Jan Brenneman; AARC graduates Eden Lal, Justice and Riley Bahl and Luke Neil; AARC director of clinical operations Sarah Sheppard; AARC graduate Jennifer Allen, her husband Phil Allen and her proud mom Pat Chernenkoff; and, Marshall and Sherie Toner.

PHOTOS: BARBARA MURTAGH Pictured at Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre’s (AARC) 25th anniversary Magical Moments gala, held May 17 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park, are Joanne Vause, left, her husband and AARC executive director Dr. Dean Vause, invaluable AARC donor Allan...

All smiles at Magical Moments, held May 17, are Marshall and Sherie Toner. The gala raised an astounding $1,087,525. It was magical indeed.

AARC executive director Dr. Dean Vause is pictured with board chair Ann McCaig at the 25th anniversary gala.

Ron and Jan Brenneman were among the hundreds of guests in attendance.

RGO’s Ross Glen and his wife Shirley pose for the lens at Magical Moments, AARC’s 25th anniversary gala.

The event’s phenomenal success is due, in large part, to the skills of live auctioneer Danny Hooper, who has been an integral part of the gala for 14 consecutive years.

Legendary philanthropists Lois and Dick Haskayne were among the hundreds of guests in attendance.

Deputy Police Chief Sat Parhar was among the dignitaries in attendance. The glorious gala raised more than $1 million for AARC programs.

Magical Moments, AARC’s 25th anniversary gala, was held May 17 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. It was an enormous success, raising more than $1 million. Such phenomenal success wouldn’t be possible without the support of title sponsor Remington...