SPOTLIGHT ON THE CITY
Around town with our man Brooks
The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter’s 24th annual Turning Points Gala on April 26 was the most successful to date. The Take A Stand Against Family Violence and Abuse themed event was attended by 670 guests and raised $676,000. It celebrated the courageous individuals and families in our community striving to live free from family violence and abuse, as well as commemorate the important work of the agency.
“It took months of planning, hard work and the generosity of many to make this event a success,” said Kim Ruse, executive director, Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter (CWES). “Cochairs Sherri Logel and Shelly Norris, honorary patron Bill Borger, and the Turning Points committee have all worked with passion and commitment. We thank them for their tireless dedication, and all our incredible sponsors and donors for their generous support in helping us take a stand against family violence and abuse.”
Highlights of the event at the Telus Convention Centre were numerous including powerful remarks from Calgary Police Chief Roger Chaffin; Dave Kelly’s masterful role as emcee; brief, yet effective remarks from cochairs Sherri Logel and Shelly Norris and honorary patron Bill Borger, Borger Group of Companies president and CEO; fabulous silent and live auction items; a raffle of a seven-night stay at the Marriott Desert Springs Villas II Resort in Palm Desert, including $1,000 toward airfare; and a riveting ‘play’ on the challenges faced by so many due to family violence and abuse. And if there is one take-away message, it is: Recognize. Respond. Refer.
The enormous success of the 24th annual event would not have been possible were it not for the support of platinum sponsors Cardel Lifestyles, Logel Homes, Norris Family Foundation, Royal LePage and gold sponsors Borger Group of Companies, Homes by Avi and Qualico, as well as myriad event partners.
Seemingly every community leader was there, including: Logel Homes president and CEO and spouse of co-chair Sherri Logel, Tim Logel; Brookfield Residential president and CEO Alan Norris who is also RESOLVE campaign chair and spouse of co-chair Shelly Norris; Postmedia colleagues Dean Jager and Melanie Gowans; McLeod Law’s Brian Rogers and his wife Gayla Rogers, professor emerita, U of C; Homes by Avi’s Alice Mateyko; Jaime Rasmussen, partner of honorary patron Bill Borger; CWES board members Cam Hughes, Lori Berg, Marc Weil, Linda Matkaluk and Rob Imbeau, to name a few; Zeidler Architecture’s Sean Crawford and his wife Megan Crawford; New Interiors president Wade Schultz and his wife Cortney Schultz; Norm Bogner, ATCO president, new ventures and communications; RGO’s John Sobotka; CWES’ Ann O’Donnell; EY partner Gord Graham and his wife Shelley Weiss; community leader Sheldon Kennedy; and event producer, Brooks and Dodd Consulting ’s Tom Dodd with colleague Selena Fisher.