MEANINGFUL WORK: Founded in 1992, Mission Possible has been helping individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside challenged by poverty, homelessness, addiction and other barriers get back on their feet.

Through its employment readiness and social enterprise programs, the non-profit has been helping people experience a sense of dignity and purpose through meaningful work. To provide more individuals the opportunity for purposeful employment, the registered charity recently held its annual Mission Possible holiday hootenanny.

This year’s gala theme was Old Hollywood, and many glammed it up for the red-carpet paparazzi, countless photos and night of philanthropy.

Staged at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel Vancouver, some 350 guests came out to hear inspiring stories of transformation, bid on unique live and silent auction items, purchase Christmas crackers filled with prizes and enjoy a delicious three-course dinner, all while celebrating the amazing achievements of program participants, both past and present.

Prior to the night of giving, party guests raised a glass to Mission Possible’s growing efforts to create jobs that lead to lasting change. From MP Maintenance, a landscape and maintenance service, to MP Neighbours, an innovative program for Downtown Eastside residents to be trained as security personnel to care for their neighbourhood, the firm’s social enterprises pave the way for more people to move into employment.

Attendees also toasted six individuals, recipients of the humanitarian agency’s Momentum Awards that are given to alumni who have demonstrated courage, determination and faith in overcoming great challenges and adversity, emerging from life’s challenges with strength and stability. Feted this year were John Barbour, Thomas Gibbons, Catherine Shimizu, Alexandre Nadon, Lorenzo Watters and Michael Wielgosh .

Sunrise Soya Foods owners Peter and Shirley Joe , a longtime champion, benefactor and employer of MP grads, were recipients of the Impact Business Partner of the Year Award. The awards were presented by event emcee Drew Savage from Virgin Radio and Mission Possible CEO Matt Smedley .

The six stories of success inspired everyone in the room to give. From a silent and live auction that included a Yukon adventure and luxury Okanagan escape to a spirited paddle raise, there were plenty of opportunities to support. By evening’s end, organizers were confident of meeting and or exceeding last year’s $190,000 fundraising standard to support Mission Possible’s ever-expanding employment efforts.

“This year we are celebrating 10 years of social enterprise impact and success in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community,” said Smedley.

“Thanks to the growing support and demand of our services, we are moving into a new building in the spring of 2020, preparing for the launch of a women’s track in our employment readiness program and creating a human resources guidebook for the growing employment partners wanting to hire our graduates.”

WAMS power lunch

KICKING MS: Soccer phenom Christine Sinclair was the special guest at the annual Women Against Multiple Sclerosis (WAMS) luncheon. The three-time Olympian and Canadian women’s national soccer team captain joined some 350 guests for the power lunch held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Created five years ago, the event brings together a powerful network of businesswomen from all sectors to help build awareness and raise critical research funds to end MS.

Canada reportedly has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, and women get MS three times more often than men.

It’s a cause close to Sinclair’s heart, as her mother Sandi was diagnosed with MS more than 30 years ago. In honour of her mother and the other 77,000 Canadians living with MS, Sinclair has been an outspoken MS champion rallying Canadians to come together to help find a way to beat the neurological disease.

“When you are a kid, your parents are indestructible, and that was what my mom was to me. Indestructible,” said Sinclair. “But as years went by, I watched MS chip away at aspects of her life, and her fight against the chronic disease became more strenuous.”

Seeing what her mom went through, Sinclair was inspired to get involved with the MS Society of Canada and related fundraising efforts. Since launching in Vancouver in 2015, the WAMS luncheon has raised over $500,000 for a new generation of ground-breaking Canadian researchers working to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Sinclair and others helped add another $179,000 to its tally following the afternoon of networking, storytelling and fundraising.

Kettle kickoff

JINGLE BELLS: The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle is one of the city’s most recognizable holiday symbols, and The Hope in the City Breakfast kicked off the social service agency’s annual holiday campaign.

For the 18th consecutive year, the city’s business community came together in the early hours of the morning to ring in the season, raise funds and celebrate the work of the Salvation Army.

Lt. Colonel Jamie Braund , B.C. Divisional Commander, Canada Wide Publishing CEO Peter Legge and Kingswood Capital Corp. president Joe Segal fronted the Scotiabank-sponsored morning luau.

Set against the backdrop of the city’s convention centre, the event featured a hearty breakfast, keynote address by Dragons’ Den personality and entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson plus an inspired story of triumph and perseverance from Iain and Darcy Anderson , recipients of the Salvation Army’s Hero of Hope Award.

While struggling with their own personal demons, the Andersons found support and refuge at the Salvation Army. They also found employment and each other at the firm while helping others. Their story of hope and achievement would compel attendees to open their hearts and their wallets. Before the gathering’s 9 a.m. conclusion, the seasonal soiree was reportedly on track to raise $400,000.

Net proceeds will support some 50 ministries across the province feed, clothe and shelter B.C.’s most vulnerable. Last year, an estimated 1.7 million people were helped by the Salvation Army, thanks to the generosity of British Columbians.

• More from Fred Lee

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WORLD PEACE: Jennifer Packet was crowned this year’s Miss Chinese Vancouver 2019. The 22-year-old UBC graduate recently bested nine other talented contestants to earn the title, punching her ticket to the Miss Chinese International Pageant to compete against delegates from all over the world. A pageant with a purpose, B.C. Cancer was this year’s beneficiary of the beauty contest which celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Prior to the pageant’s live broadcast, gala chairs Glynnis Chan, May Ho and Shella Keung steered the gala dinner helping raise $460,000 for B.C. Cancer and the purchase of leading state-of-the-art radiation equipment. With some 700 audience members in the room, the crowd was moved when B.C. Cancer patient and Vancouver resident Carmen Hou took the stage to share her personal cancer journey. Facing cancer while nursing a newborn, the then 32-year-old was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer.

Hou began chemotherapy treatment and went on to have a mastectomy of her left breast. Surgeons also removed 20 lymph nodes from her under arm, ten of which were cancerous. She has followed up with two types of radiation and began a drug trial this winter. While the cancer isn’t growing, she’s also not in remission.

“Without the treatment and care I’ve received at B.C. Cancer, which donors make possible, I would not be standing here before you,” said Hou, now 35.

“I have been gifted more time with my family because of the life-saving treatments I have received at B.C. Cancer, including precision radiation.”

Hou’s moving story compelled the well-heeled crowd in attendance to support the cause. A special Dom Pérignon dinner featuring vintage bottles from the iconic champagne house coupled with a dinner curated by Vancouver firefighter and celebrity chef Michael Varga sold for $25,000, sparkplugging the five-lot live auction. The proceeding call for cash saw Lions Clubs International lead the way with a generous $100,000 match donation.

“We are grateful to everyone who generously donated to help bring innovative radiation equipment to B.C. Cancer, giving greater hope to the more than 80,000 British Columbians facing cancer,” said Sarah Roth, president and CEO, B.C. Cancer Foundation.

“This state-of-the-art equipment will have a significantly positive effect for patients, particularly beneficial for pediatric and breast cancer patients, decreasing treatment setup time, reducing risk of missing the target and radiation of healthy tissue.”

Yule duel

PITCH PERFECT: Described as B.C.’s largest carolling competition, 15 teams of competitive carollers battled it out for singing supremacy at Yule Duel.

Inspired by Seattle’s Figgy Pudding singing contest, the 5th staging saw the family-friendly outdoor event move from its original Gastown digs to the roomier Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza. Presented by the Bloom Group and the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, hundreds of choral enthusiasts packed the public square to cheer on their favourite group at the annual sing-off, while supporting May’s Place.

Choirs fundraised to punch their ticket to the best in show, while attendees purchased a ballot for $5 to vote for their favourite carollers. Before the winners were announced, a reported $60,000 was collected for Western Canada’s first free standing hospice. The six-bed hospice providing compassionate end of life care for people living with mental health issues and addictions is located on Powell Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

In addition to the people’s choice, a panel of judges including Elektra Women’s Chorus artistic Director Morna Edmundson , Miss 604 social media maven Rebecca Bollwitt and former Vancouver city councillor Heather Deal selected winners of the most creative and best vocal carolling group. St. George’s Junior School Choir won the People’s Choice Award. The group also took home Best Youth Choir honours. The Hot Toddies picked up Best Vocal Performance while Notre Dame Platinum Girls performance was declared the Most Creative.

“Thanks to all our sponsors and especially the choirs and their supporters for testing their vocal talents in support of May’s Place Hospice,” said Lesley Anderson , Yule Duel Project Manager. “Yule Duel is a wonderful event welcoming people of all abilities to come out to sing, listen and enjoy the community celebration of music.”

Making spirits bright, from UBC, back row: Mika Han, Magdalen Hamilton and Davis Song; front row: Stephen Juwono, Jessie Lam and Charlotte Choi were among 15 carolling groups that participated in the holiday sing-off at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza. Photo: Fred Lee.

Lattimer Gallery Bentwood Box Auction & Reception

BOXING SALE: Peter Lattimer , owner of the Lattimer Gallery, hosted his annual Charity Bentwood Box Auction & Reception at the Museum of Vancouver. Thirteen award-winning and up-and-coming Indigenous artists participated in the charity event transforming blank cedar bentwood boxes into beautiful works of art.

For the past dozen years Lattimer has organized the Bentwood Box sale to help support the Urban Native Youth Association, a Vancouver organization providing prevention focused programs and services to Native youth since 1988.

Corrine Hunt , designer of the Vancouver Olympic medals in 2010, celebrated mural artist KC Hall , and Michelle Stoney , recipient of the 2019 B.C. Achievement Award in First Nations Art, were among this year’s talented artists who donated their time and talent creating the coveted boxes for auction. Stoney’s Octopus and Raven creation garnered the evening’s top bid, contributing to a reported $83,000 haul for UNYA. Since the event’s creation, more than $550,000 has been raised.

Before we usher in a new decade, a look back at the year’s top parties, memorable moments, and the people behind the biggest and most lavish fundraisers in the Lower Mainland. Every year, British Columbians demonstrate their capacity to care and to provide for those less fortunate. 2019 was an exceptional year with many of the cities venerable events posting record numbers.  Here’s to everyone who gave of their time, talent and treasure to make communities stronger. Cheers to you and to a kinder, gentler 2020.  Happy New Year!

Vancouver Chinatown Foundation Gala

Carol Lee’s fourth staging of her Chinatown Gala drew big names and even bigger spenders, pulling in $5.5 million for her ongoing efforts to revitalize the once bustling neighbourhood. Produced by Soha Lavin, the stunning room was transformed into pure gold, encouraging attendees to give generously. And they did, with four lead gifts of $1 million. The starry night — B.C.’s biggest fundraiser of the year — also paid tribute to Lee’s ailing father — renowned community builder and philanthropist Bob Lee.

Surrey Hospital Celebration of Care Gala

Led by Surrey’s very own Dr. James Bond, chief of thoracic surgery at Surrey Hospital, the foundation’s Bond-themed benefit To Surrey With Love truly lived up to its name as residents showed appreciation for their community hospital. Leading the way was change agent Jeff Wubs, founder of Westland Insurance. The Four Seasons Hotel catered-dinner and auction at Surrey’s Aria Convention Centre would pull in a leading $5 million to kit out ten operating rooms with state-of-the-art, cutting edge equipment.

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation Time to Shine Gala

Always a staple on the best dressed party list, VGH & UBC’s annual Time to Shine Chinese New Year Gala was another sparkler. Judy Leung once again steered the dazzling event staged at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. From the fine dining, glamourous decor and exclusive auction items for foundation benefactors, this year’s celebrations went above and beyond expectations. Three million dollar gifts from Lily Lee, Westbank’s Ian Gillespie and Donald’s Fine Foods Donald Leung showed the way. The Year of the Pig celebration would bring in $5.36 million for the firm’s Future of Surgery campaign.

B.C. Children’s Hospital For Children We Care Gala

The Chinese Canadian community came together for the 24th consecutive year to support child health in B.C. And what a lavish party it was. No small feat to turn the Vancouver Convention Centre into an intimate party palace, but gala chairs Carmen Chan, Pao Yao Koo and Isabel Hsieh were definitely up for the challenge. The Evening in Versailles-themed affair had all the elements of a successful night; exquisite decor, delicious food, a scene-y crowd, a live orchestra, giant crystal chandeliers that hung from the rafters, impressive multimedia screens, towering fresh flowers and a very generous crowd. The result: a record $4.12 million night.

B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation Crystal Ball

Created by Isabelle Diamond in 1986, this venerable event has raised more than $38 million for B.C. Children’s Hospital. It would add another $3.8 million to its already impressive tally. Led once again by Jennifer Johnston, this year’s 33rd staging was bittersweet as it would be the last Crystal Ball to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel as the property shutters its doors at the end of the year. The impressive room and equally impressive stories from patient families ignited a torrent of donations. Mike and Lisa Hudson, Rick and Lauren Ilich and Lisa Greczmiel had everyone on their feet early with gifts of $500,000 each to get the fundraising party started.

Arts Umbrella Splash Gala

Third-time was the charm for chairs Bruce Munro Wright and Christie Garofalo as their Splash Art Auction and Gala surpassed the million dollar mark for the first time in the event’s 37 year history. One hundred artists put forward their best work for sale. More than 80 per cent of the 33 pieces that went on the live auction block sold at-or-above value signalling a record-night ahead. A $2 million donation from Robert Lemon in memory of his partner interior designer Bob Ledingham to go toward the construction of a new Arts Umbrella building and School of theatre and music further fuelled party spirits.

Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Space Odyssey Gala

An interstellar-themed affair greeted Peace Arch Hospital patrons. The most creative party of 2019 saw party guests transported to another galaxy for an out-of-this-world experience. Attendees in return delivered $900,000 to equip hospital operating rooms with leading technology and equipment. Chair Joelle Paleologou understood first-hand the importance of having a room when needed. Crediting Peace Arch with saving her life, she would lead the over-the-top Spacey soiree complete with a Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, and other celestial creatures roaming a dressed up Centennial Arena.

B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation A Night of Miracles Gala

More than 440 guests packed the Marriot Pinnacle Hotel ballroom for the South Asian Community’s biggest night. One of the most colourful and vibrant parties in town, the 11th annual affair once again saw party chair Majot Hallen welcome attendees — philanthropist, community leaders and captains of industry — who came together to help transform care for children living with incurable Type 1 diabetes. The Garden-themed party at the Taj Mahal would add another $742,500 to the $5.4 million previously raised from B.C.’s South Asian community.

B.C. Cancer Hope Couture Luncheon

B.C.’s most successful luncheon fundraiser, this year’s Hope Couture event would add another $700,000 to B.C. Cancer coffers, earmarked for a pancreatic cancer rapid access clinic. Steered once again by Lisa Dalton and Susan Chow, the always stylish-event saw a predominantly female crowd pack the Fairmont Pacific Rim Sapphire Ballroom for the noon-hour power lunch and Boboli and Bacci fashion show. The stylish set was moved to tears when learning of a $150,000 lead gift from cancer champion Carol Lai. Intending to attend this year’s event, Lai sadly passed away weeks before from pancreatic cancer.

Children’s Wish Foundation Night of Wonders Gala

It was a record turnout for the Children’s Wish Foundation’s Night of Wonders Gala. More than 400 guests — influencers, business and community leaders — taxied into Richmond’s London Aviation Hanger at Vancouver International Airport for the B.C. Yukon chapter’s flagship soiree. Piloted once again by young professionals Tiffany Soper and Kevin Mazzone, the dynamic duo along with party planner Soha Lavin transformed the 84,000 square foot hanger into a magical party palace where attendees dined, danced and tipped out $550,000 to grant wishes to kids living with a life-threatening illness.

B.C. Women’s Hospital Foundation Dazzling Love Gala

Zahra Salisbury, Anna Bosa, and Monica Soprovich hosted the biggest house party of the year in support of B.C. Women’s Hospital. They convinced Shirin and Oliver Bock to open their just-completed waterfront mansion for the hospital hootenanny. The event would take place on the same night of the NBA finals. The benefit quickly became a viewing party. The formal program took a pause for party guests to watch the Toronto Raptors win the basketball championships. The historic victory bolstered party spirits with the champagne flowing as freely as the cash. The 100 well-heeled guests would deliver $425,000 for a newborn screening program.

Kidney Gala

An emotional evening of storytelling would see the Kidney Gala raise more than $300,000 for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, a new fundraising standard for the fledgling event. Local hockey coach Stephen Gillis and Toby and Bernadine Boulet, parents of Humboldt Broncos player Logan Boulet were the guest speakers. Gillis’ pee wee team rallied to support their coach’s search for a kidney donor producing a team video that went viral. The Boulet’s shared of their son’s desire to be an organ donor just weeks before his death. Logan’s decision ultimately saved the lives of six others waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and ignited a country to sign up to become organ donors.

It was pretty well known that Sean Connery, who died Saturday at his home in the Bahamas at the age of 90 , loved to play golf.

What was perhaps less well known to the general public was that the man who made James Bond a household name on screen and was one of the biggest movie stars in the world loved to play golf in Vancouver.

Those who have played at Capilano Golf Club in West Vancouver likely know that he was a fan of the place.

“There’s no finer place to be on a Monday morning than the first tee at Capilano,” the club cites Connery as having once said.

He was also fond of playing at Furry Creek, Point Grey and Shaughnessy, others have claimed.

Credit, in a roundabout way, a movie legend from another era.

“It’s a long story, it’s a neat story,” Dr. Ted Hunt, former Vancouver teacher, athlete and school board trustee, said Saturday over the phone from his home in Kerrisdale.

When Hunt was young, he explained, he had caddied for Bing Crosby. Crosby, who was born in Tacoma and grew up in Spokane, Wash., was a regular visitor to Vancouver and would often play golf when he came to town.

Years later, well into adulthood, Hunt found himself at the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif. He had secured a photographer’s credential through The Province and one day while taking in the action — the tournament drew some of the best professional golfers as well as a slew of A-list celebrities and business magnates — found himself talking to Crosby’s widow, Kathryn.

“ ‘I understand you had caddied for my husband,’ she asked me,” he recalled. “We got talking for a while and she said, ‘you should be playing in this.’ And I replied, ‘you’ve got to be at least a vice-president of U.S. Steel to play in this!’ ”

“ ‘Not if if you know the right people,’ she said.”

And so Hunt, who was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 1972 for his talents in football, rugby, skiing, lacrosse and boxing, played in the famed Pebble Beach event for the next three years.

At a tournament dinner in the early 1980s, Kathryn Crosby introduced him to Connery, who was also playing in the event.

Connery, she explained, had a problem and thought perhaps Hunt could help him.

“I am allowed 21 days of work in the United States, if it’s one day over they get to plunder my worldwide earnings and I’m not going to let that happen,” Hunt recalled Connery declaring to him. “So I have in my contract that if there’s a stoppage in shooting, then I am immediately taken to a limousine and the airport and I’m out of here before the tax people come.

“I can come to Canada. Could you possibly fix me up with a game of golf?”

Connery, who lived in the Bahamas for most of the last 30 years of his life for tax purposes, became a regular visitor to B.C. for the next 10 years.

“Ten wonderful years,” Hunt said.

The star would call up Hunt sometimes at work to let him know he was planning a visit. Some years he came two or three times.

“One time I was at a school where I was the vice-principal and I was sitting in my office and I heard my secretary answer the phone and suddenly say, ‘Oh yeah, yeah right.’ And then she hung up. He called back two minutes later and calmly asked her to not hang up this time,” he said with a laugh.

There were the well-known clubs mentioned earlier, but Hunt said they would play all over.

Some visits were just for a day or two. Once he stayed for a week.

“We played 36 holes per day and he loved them all. We had a lot of fun on a lot of golf courses,” he said. “We got on a float plane to fly up to Campbell River to play on a new course he wanted to play on.”

It was a special friendship, he said.

“It was very welcome. He was a golfer to the core. Even as things started to slow for him in the last year, we were still talking about golf. He was still putting and chipping when he could. He’d call me up and say, ‘Hello, Ted, how’s your game,’ ” he said, imitating Connery’s Scottish accent.

“He was something special.”

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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• Sean Connery, famed star of James Bond films, dies at age 90
• Former Bond girl Margaret Nolan dies at 76
• James Bond movie 'No Time to Die' delayed until April 2021

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