Fred Lee recalls the year’s social highlights

While 2016 was filled with much loss, turmoil and disbelief, the year also brought many examples of hope and optimism. Many individuals generously stepped up, giving their time and resources to support worthy causes and make a positive impact in our commu

CRYSTAL BALL This year’s top party had all the glitz and glamour one has come to expect from the Crystal Ball.

The flagship fundraiser for B.C. Children’s Hospital had two of the city’s top social influencers at the helm. Diane

Norton and Arya Eshghi steered the Alice in Wonderland-themed affair that attracted 400 of the province’s top philanthropists, business moguls and community leaders to the lavish dinner and auction that earned a record $4.4 million for Children’s Hospital.

CHINATOWN FOUNDATION

GALA Harvard and University of British Columbia graduate Carol Lee — daughter of real estate magnate Robert Lee — received a huge financial endorsement for her efforts to preserve and revitalize the once-bustling neighbourhood of Chinatown.

Committed to raising $30 million to create 250 units of affordable housing in the area, her inaugural Vancouver Chinatown Foundation Gala fronted by power players Leslie Diamond, Carole

Taylor and Jimmy Pattison drummed up $1.5 million from attendees.

INSPIRATION GALA It was a banner year in 2016 for broadcasters Tamara

Taggart and Mike Killeen. Their CTV Vancouver network was named the world’s best TV news station and their evening program named Canada’s best local newscast.

The news anchors also fronted the B.C. Cancer Agency’s premiere party, the Inspiration Gala.

A cancer survivor herself, Taggart chaired the 12th instalment, a Halloween party that unmasked a record $3.05 million to help identify and treat rare cancers.

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS Devi

Sangara and Nancey Nanji were the party leads of VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation’s annual hootenanny.

This year’s 21st running officially launched the firm’s Future of Surgery Campaign to improve operating rooms at both hospitals. Dedicated front-line doctors and nurses led the way with a $1-million pledge, equalled by philanthropist Peter Bentley. By evening’s end, the black-tie affair collected a hefty $3.05 million to go toward world-class health care.

SPLASH Patience and some sweat equity paid off for CEO Paul Larocque and his Arts Umbrella firm.

Wind warnings forced the postponing of their Splash art auction under a party tent. While none of the 100 works of art blew away, some $100,000 in hard costs did.

Undeterred, Splash 2.0 went off three weeks later at another venue. Art enthusiasts rearranged their schedule to support the performing arts school for youth. The giant effort resulted in $500,000 netted to help serve 22,000 kids annually.

SYMPHONY BALL As usual, the Vancouver Convention Centre was transformed into an elegant ballroom for the Vancouver Symphony’s biggest bash.

A.J. Mclean, Karin Smith and newly appointed VSO president Kelly Tweeddale orchestrated the 26th staging. Wet weather didn’t dampen spirits of 500 guests dressed to the nines for the fittingly themed Singing in the Rain do.

Before waltzing to the company’s 78-member band, gala-goers generated $750,000 for the venerable arts firm.

TIME TO SHINE GALA VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation’s sophomore running of its Time to Shine Gala supported primarily by the Chinese community was a real sparkler.

Sponsored by De Beers Jewellers, chaired by Alice Chung and held at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, the party proved to be brighter and even more sparkling than its predecessor as the lobby dripped with magnificent diamonds on display.

One of the prettiest events of the year, the extraordinary evening netted $1.7 million.

BRILLIANT GALA After three years at the Commodore Ballroom, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation severed ties with the venue and creator of Brilliant, a charity event for mental health. Husband and wife team of Bill and Jana

Maclagan assumed the prestigious position of party chairs welcoming 700 fashionistas and philanthropists to a spectacular fashion show at Rocky Mountaineer.

The Brilliant show of love raised $1.5 million for mental health programs and services at St. Paul’s.

BOLLYWOOD BALL Surrey Hospital Foundation’s debut-do in support of a dedicated retinal operating room punched well above its weight.

The inaugural Bollywood Ball truly was an eye opener as the colourful affair trumpeted by Harv Phandal raised more than a million dollars.

Held at the Hellenic Centre to court major donors in Vanhattan, the ballroom was transformed into opulent India with support from the city’s maestros of fun, Jordan Kallman and Tyson

Villeneuve, of the Social Concierge.

FACE OF TODAY GALA Fostering philanthropy and leaders of tomorrow,

Kasondra Cohen-Herrendorf ’s fairy tale party had a happy ending, collecting $250,000 from young philanthropists and upstarts to help turn dreams into reality for underserved youth.

The merger of her Face of Today foundation with her mother Jacqui’s long-standing Face the World charity will ensure a powerful one-two fundraising punch come May 13 when the mother-daughter team debut their Face the World Today fete.

SOCIAL CLIMBERS Five fundraisers relatively new to the charitable scene made quite an impression in 2016.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS GO TO Children’s Wish Foundation’s Night of Wonders Gala; Taste For Life, An Evening to Conquer Oral Cancer; Fraser Riverkeeper’s Waterkeeper Gala, Arthritis Research Centre’s ARThritis Soiree and Canucks Autism Network’s Reveal Gala.

Fittingly, rain fell on A.J. Mclean and Karen Smith’s big night for the Vancouver Symphony. Their Singing in the Rain-themed event raised more than $750,000 for the venerable arts company.

Enjoying a banner 2016, cancer survivor Tamara Taggart steered B.C. Cancer Agency’s Inspiration Gala with fellow news anchor Mike Killeen. The mask ball took in a record $3.05 million to treat rare, hard-todetect cancers.

Carol Lee’s inaugural Vancouver Chinatown Foundation Gala was an impressive affair. Co-chaired by Carole Taylor, the sold-out event raised $1.5 million to go toward preserving the district’s cultural heritage.

Arts Umbrella founder Carol Henriquez and president Paul Larocque were all smiles after their Splash 2.0 Gala. Their rescheduled 100-piece art auction netted $500,00 for the arts organization for youngsters.

Named 2016 Philanthropist of the Year for the Daffodil Ball, chair Naz Panahi created the Arthritis Research Canada’s ARThritis Soiree. Panahi welcomed world champion fencer Hristo Etropolski to make the point at the popular event.

Joined by a colourful cast of Alice in Wonderland characters and young philanthropists, Kasondra CohenHerrendorf’s Face of Today Gala helped turn dreams into reality for many underserved youth in B.C.

Inaugural chair Harv Phandal Dhanda and chief of surgery Dr. Hugh Parsons steered Surrey Hospital Foundation’s inaugural Bollywood Ball. The mainly South Asian audience gifted more than $1 million to the hospital’s dedicated retinal operating room.

In two years, Time to Shine party captains Cecilia Tse and Alice Chung have rallied the Chinese community to raise more than $4 million for the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation.

Arya Eshghi and Diane Norton chaired the province’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Their 30th Crystal Ball raised $4.4 million for B.C. Children’s Hospital.

Shining a light on a dark issue, mental health advocates Bill and Jana Maclagan chaired St. Paul’s Hospital’s $1.5-million Brilliant Gala, a spectacular evening of fashion, art and dance.

VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation board chair Noordin Nanji saw his wife Nancey step up to co-chair the organization’s Night of A Thousand Stars soirée. Wellheeled gala-goers donated $3.05 million for the Future of Surgery Campaign.