VEHICLES AND VIOLINS HELPS RONALD McDONALD HOUSE
For lovers of beautiful vehicles, symphonic music and supporting charitable causes, the annual Vehicle and Violins Gala is the perfect offering. The gala, launched in 2000, has raised more than $3.9 million for invaluable organizations such as: Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre; ALS Society of Alberta; Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation; Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre; Children’s Cottage Society; Fresh Start Recovery Centre; Inn From the Cold Society; The Mustard Seed; KidSport Calgary; Canadian Diabetes Association; The Alex; Kids Help Phone and myriad others. The gala, on Mar. 13 at the BMO Centre Stampede Park, gave guests a first-hand look at the scores of vehicles on display at the 38th annual Calgary International Auto & Truck Show. That 2017 saw auto sales in Canada reach an all-time record, eclipsing two million vehicles sold, bodes well for the industry.
Another first was that this year’s gala was hosted by the newly formed Calgary Motor Dealers Charitable Foundation. The foundation ensured tax receipts were issued for donations and 50 per cent of the gala ticket as well. The first benefactor under the new foundation was Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern and Central Alberta.
Among the scores of guests in attendance were: 2018 Calgary International Auto & Truck Show chairman Corry Baum; show manager Jim Gillespie; Ronald McDonald House volunteers Peter Appleby, Latoya Graham and Arianna Mamer; CPO musicians Gianetta Baril and Roxanne Young; Prima Investments’ Robert and Winnie Bezemer; Penny Lane Entertainment Group’s Dave Urner and Kevin Danschinko; Dilawri Group of Companies’ Tony Dilawri; BILD Calgary Region CEO Guy Huntingford and Bev Jarvis; Lorne Motley, regional vice-president editorial and editor in chief of the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun; McManes Automotive president Jim McManes; Lone Star general manager Wayne Desrosiers; and McManes Automotive vice-president of real estate Rick Bowie and his wife Jane Bowie.