YOUNG MOVERS AND SHAKERS : Every year, a group of young professionals volunteer their time, expertise and influence as members of United Way of the Lower Mainland’s GeNext cabinet.
Acting as ambassadors, the group of local influencers and changemakers who share a vision of a healthy, caring and inclusive community meet monthly, and develop and implement plans to achieve their goals of a more caring civil society. Impact Red: A Rooftop Social is one of the group’s marquee events.
Two hundred and fifty pretty young things in their 20s and 30s convened for the 3rd annual patio party. Chaired by Amanda Costa and Heather Kerklaan and hosted by RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities, a capacity crowd made their way to the 21st floor rooftop of a downtown business tower for the social mingler and charity fundraiser.
Under sunny skies, attendees enjoyed breathtaking views, great food and drink, and fine music while supporting United Way’s after-school initiatives through a variety of fundraising games.
With the help of a $10,000 match from the Longhedge Foundation, the hoi polloi would ultimately raise $37,000, pushing the cabinet’s three-year effort over the $100,000 mark.
Proceeds will go toward connecting underserved kids to a variety of programs, said a delighted Costa. United Way has a genuine love of local community, and it’s this love that drives our work to ensure that no one is left behind or falls through the cracks, added Kerklaan.
Notables making the scene included RBC Wealth Management’s Angus Woodworth , Coast Capital Savings’ Precious Ile , PwC’s Blake Henley , City of Vancouver’s Kevin Quinlan and Keela’s Phil Manzano , the evening’s keynote.
Homeless as a youth and without direction, Manzano credited the United Way community for lifting him up and out of poverty. Today, the head of marketing and communications at Keela, a local company dedicated to building accessible technology for non-profits, pays it forward serving on the GeNext cabinet helping other young kids achieve their dreams.
HORSE PLAY: A record 850 guests came out to witness the sport of kings at the fifth annual Pacific Polo Cup. Southlands Riding Club once again hosted the posh polo tourney and party drawing the city’s well-to-do and well dressed to the charity benefit.
The brainchild of Nadia Iadisernia , and her main squeeze, Luxury and Super Car Weekend creator Craig Stowe , the event has grown steadily every year and is now part of the triple crown of summer social staples to dress up, with the stylish horse play bookended by the Deighton Cup and Diner en Blanc.
This year all 27 cabanas that lined the field, ranging in price tag from $2,750-to-$8,750, were quickly snapped up by luxury retailers, developers and financial institutions.
Under a blistering heat, four teams competed for the coveted Pacific Polo Cup. Although many were unfamiliar with polo, attendees have educated themselves and are now embracing the sport more than ever, says Iadisernia. The halftime divot stomp — where spectators go onto the field to help replace the divots created by the horse’s hoofs — continues to be a popular activity, she added.
As always, the Nicola Wealth Management and Veuve Cliquot sponsored see-and-be-seen event also served as a fundraiser for the Southlands Riding Club, a non-profit society providing a home for equestrian sport and recreation in the city of Vancouver since 1943.
The club, which serves some 500 riding and non-riding enthusiasts, also is home to the Vancouver Pony Club, Pacific Riding for Developmental Disabilities, and the Vancouver Equine Rescue Society. Those interested in the sport of polo can drop in every Wednesday to learn more about the game until the end of September.
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