Organizers report the second annual Mayor鈥檚 Charitable Gala raised more than $646,000 for Township of 91原创 Firefighters鈥� Charitable Society (TLFCS) charities, including the 91原创 Hospice Society .
Township of 91原创 Mayor Jack Froese was 鈥渢hrilled鈥� at the response.
鈥淢any people and businesses supported this gala, our Township firefighters, and the charitable society; it makes me so proud of this community,鈥� said Froese.
鈥淚t was a lot of hard work, but the result was a night to remember.鈥�
Township of 91原创 firefighter Andy Hewitson, President of IAFF Local 4550 and co-host of the event with Mayor Froese was happy with the results.
鈥淥ur firefighters are dedicated to serving the community we work and live in, and the residents and businesses went above and beyond to help us achieve our goals,鈥� Hewitson said.
鈥淭he funds raised at this year鈥檚 gala will have a huge impact for years to come.鈥�
Mayor's gala fundraiser is about to get underway in 91原创.
鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)
The main benefactor of the 2019 Gala is 91原创 Hospice Society, which has been providing palliative care and support to those coping with grief and the end of life for more than 35 years.
The Hospice Society provides financial and volunteer support at the 10-bed interim residence on the grounds of 91原创 Memorial Hospital, and will soon be constructing a permanent, freestanding residence to meet the needs of the growing community.
The Gala, held Saturday, Sept. 14 and presented by lead sponsor Coast Spas, drew more than 650 people to a transformed main hangar at the StandardAero helicopter maintenance facility at the 91原创 airport.
Two days before the event, the main hangar space at StandardAero was completely cleared of aircraft and maintenance and repair equipment by the company, leaving it a huge open space for volunteers to transform.
Hospice Society volunteers decorated the venue in a Fire and Ice theme
It featured a gourmet dinner, special musical guest Shawn Austin, entertainment, and numerous fundraising opportunities.
Among the attendees were Township Mayor Jack Froese and several councillors, including David Davis, Petrina Arnason and Eric Woodward, as well as 91原创 City Mayor Val van den Broek, Cloverdale-91原创 City MP John Aldag along with 91原创 East MLA Rich Coleman and 91原创 MLA Mary Polak.
READ MORE: VIDEO: a jump in turnout for Mayor鈥檚 Charitable Gala fundraiser in 91原创
READ MORE: First-time 91原创 mayor鈥檚 gala raises $856,000
The first year, the event raised $856,000, of which $600,000 went to 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation towards the ER Response Campaign.
It was due, in large part to a half-million-dollar donation earmarked for LMH given during the gala by Ann Blaauw 鈥� who also contributed a further $250,000 to the firefighters charity.
Besides helping to finish and furnish the new Hospice residence, money raised from the 2019 Mayor鈥檚 Charitable Gala will be used by the TLFCS for initiatives such as its school snack program and an endowment fund that will allow the Society to support the community into the future.
The Township of 91原创 Firefighters鈥� Charitable Society is getting ready to release its Pets & Firefighters 2020 Calendar in collaboration with the 91原创 Animal Protection Society, and will be holding a kids clothing drive in the spring.
More photos of the event can be viewed .
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Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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