PORT OF CALLS: Days before Thanksgiving, port terminals and suppliers came together to give thanks and support the communities where they live, work and play. Presented by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, a capacity crowd gathered for the annual Port Fundraising Gala in partnership with Global Container Terminals, Fraser Surrey Docks, Western Stevedoring, and DP World Vancouver. Sharing a commitment to create thriving communities where they operate, the port terminals and suppliers for 18 years have come together to support their port region, raising more than $1.9 million for deserving charities in Metro Vancouver.
The 19th edition would catapult the tally well beyond the $2 million mark. Vancouver Fraser Port Authority president and chief executive officer Robin Silvester welcomed attendees to the multi-course fundraising dinner co-chaired by Makshim Mihic, Jeff Scott, Doron Grosman, Eric Waltz , and Brad Eshelman .
This year’s event was held in honour and support of three charitable organizations, Harvest Project on the North Shore, Mission Possible in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and Reach Child and Youth Development Society south of the Fraser River. Through ticket purchases, the sale of auction items, and the generous contributions of attendees, the evening endeavours looked to meet or exceed last year’s $240,000 raised to support the charities working hard to improve the lives of thousands of people each year.
“The people and businesses we call neighbours make Metro Vancouver one of the world’s most livable regions, and as a port community, we share a commitment to create thriving communities where we live and work,” said Silvester. “By working together, we continue to prove that when we raise one another up, we all flourish.”
CCDSBC Around the World Gala
ALL ABOARD: Established in 1988, the Chinese Canadian Dental Society of British Columbia (CCDSBC) was created to promote and encourage its members to contribute to their community and the Canadian society-at-large. Over the years through its annual gala fundraiser, CCDSBC has raised funds to establish bursaries and endowment funds, update dental equipment at Vancouver General Hospital, and contributed to the purchase of a mobile community clinic in partnership with UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry.
For CCDSBC’s 30th anniversary celebrations, the B.C. Dental Association’s Save A Smile program, supporting the urgent dental care needs of B.C. children from low-income families, was beneficiary of the charity dinner. To date, the program has supported 2,000 children in accessing dental treatment, says Dr. Angelique Leung, chair of the program, addressing the party crowd that convened at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for the Cruise Around the World-themed party.
Captained by longtime event chair Dr. Anthony Li , the dental-do of fine food, wine and entertainment would take guests around the globe. Sought-after luxury cruises to Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, part of an exclusive live auction, would contribute to a record night and $100,000 collected, putting smiles on the faces of everyone involved.
ICDA Sitarry Night Benefit
BOLLYWOOD NIGHT: Taking a page from the CCDSBC playbook, dental professionals from the South Asian community hosted its second annual fundraiser. Created in 2017, the Indo Canadian Dental Association (ICDA) welcomed a capacity crowd to Richmond’s River Rock Show Theatre for its Sitarry Night Gala, held over the Thanksgiving weekend. Committed to promoting and raising funds for oral health care in the community, this year’s lavish Bollywood luau led by Dr. Harry Dhanju benefited the B.C. Oral Cancer Prevention Program at UBC and efforts to lessen the hardship caused by the disease though public education, early detection and effective treatment
Attended by some one hundred dentists and their loved ones, industry partners, notable dignitaries and community and leaders, 500 guests were in attendance for the TD-sponsored, black-tie merrymaker. A spirited live auction and a raffle of a one-once bar of gold donated by Nicola Wealth Management had revellers digging deep into their wallets to support the cause. The evening of camaraderie and fundraising also paid tribute to Chandra Bodalia , the legendary South Asian VOICE photo journalist often referred to as the “Smile Catcher” who passed away from a lengthy battle with throat cancer.
