HOUSING SUCCESS: For 46 years, the Vancouver Resource Society has taken bold steps to provide non-market adaptable housing for persons with disabilities. The non-profit’s care model has centered around a unique partnership with the provincial government, municipalities and the development community to offer persons with disabilities accessible housing, quality care and supportive programs.
This work has led to the creation of some 1100 adaptive units around Metro Vancouver and Victoria, and most recently, the society has added another 450 units for seniors. To bring more awareness to their efforts and to help achieve their goal of 2000 units by 2022, the firm hosted its 5th biannual Spring Gala at the Terminal City Club.
Steered by party leads Virginia Bird and Rhiannon Mabberley and VRS board chair Allan De Genova , the event attracted several hundred supporters including municipal leaders, members of the Canadian Forces, Vancouver Police and Fire Department and community of developers who filed into the main ballroom for the dinner and auction. VRS housing success stories would bolster fundraising efforts that included a raffle, spirited live auction and call out for cash. The activities would all contribute to an impressive $238,000 night to help more people with disabilities integrate and live independently in the community.
First Tee charity golf tournament
TEE PARTY: While Richard Brodeur, Derek Brooks, Bryan Gallagher, Sharon Knotts, Phylis Laschuk, Steve Norman, Randy Smigel and Doug Stewart all missed at the opportunity to sink a hole-in-one for a million dollars, the YMCA’s First Tee program did ace $50,000 at the eighth annual First Tee Million Dollar Pro-Am Challenge golf tournament and charity dinner. Staged at the Richmond Golf and Country Club and sponsored by Marty Zlotnik’s ZLC Financial, a full field of 144 professional and amateur players hit the links in support of the one-of-a-kind golf program in Canada designed for vulnerable and inner city kids ages 6-17 to learn the fundamentals of the game as well as life skills that will serve them well beyond the fairways.
Since its inception in 2010, the program has grown exponentially with around 1,000 kids now expressing an interest to play, said First Tee program manager Christophe Collins .
While they learn to play golf, the kids also build character, develop life-enhancing values and learn to make healthy choices, he adds. Whether its learning to be honest while keeping score, or good judgment while making the shot, lessons learned stick long after the program is over, says Jeff Shewfelt , First Tee board chair. The program — a partnership between the YMCA and Vancouver park board — now extends to other municipalities including Surrey and Richmond.
Dragon Boat B.C. Legacy Gala
MAKING WAVES: Dragon Boat B.C. — formerly the Dragon Boat Society — hosted its sixth annual Legacy Gala at the Concord Pacific Presentation Centre in False Creek. Signalling 30 days before the 30th staging of the largest and most competitive contest on the North American Dragon Boat racing circuit, hundreds of dragon boat enthusiasts gathered for the East Meets West kickoff party and benefit supporting the Milton K Wong Legacy Project — named after the festival founder who brought the paddle sport from Hong Kong to Vancouver.
Steered by party chairs Alvin Cheung and Suzanne Williams , and emceed by Concord Pacific Senior VP Grant Murray , attendees imbibed in food and drink while bidding on an array of auction items and experiences in support of the Legacy Project, an initiative created to give underserved youth and the disadvantaged the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of sport, including dragon boating.
In keeping with that spirit, seven local charities will once again participate in the second annual All Access Cup to raise paddles, awareness and funds for their respective charities. The special race will launch the three-day regatta, which runs from June 22 to 24 and is expected to attract 6,000 elite paddlers from around the world. The gala would generate a reported $150,000.
