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.”
Renie D’Aquila and Ryan Thomas’ Reach Child and Youth Development Society were one of three beneficiaries of Gillian Behnke’s Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s yearly fundraiser.
MILESTONE YEAR: Nancy Radloff, executive assistant to Robin Silvester, CEO and president of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, has orchestrated the annual Port Gala dinner since its inception, raising more than $2 million for local charities.
Matt Smedley’s Mission Possible serving Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and Gary Ansell’s Harvest Project on the North Shore were beneficiaries of this year’s Port Gala.
Living with autism, evening’s special guest Becki Allen and her mom Claire Aston sang the praises of Reach Child and Youth Development Society, a charity serving communities south of the Fraser helping kids with special needs.
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.
TOOTHFAIRIES: Actor David C Jones captained and Dr. Anthony Li chaired the Around the World dinner party benefitting Angelique Leung’s Save a Smile dental program supporting the urgent dental needs of B.C. kids from low-income families.
CCDSBC president Ben Kang and his wife Josenni welcomed partygoers to the society’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Chinese Canadian Dental Society of B.C. director Peter Chan escorted his wife Jin Kim to the fundraising dental-do at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver.
Party organizers Kristie Or, Grace Li, and Irene Or were all smiles following a record $100,000 raised.
Realty giants Grace and Stephen Kwok of Anson Realty were among the night’s major contributors at the CCDBC Around the World fundraising gala.
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.
BOLLY GOOD: Sister-brother team of Rowena and Arv Sooch, ICDA directors, emceed the South Asian dental profession’s flagship fundraiser at Richmond’s River Rock Show Theatre.
Dr. Denise Laronde’s B.C. Oral Cancer Prevention Program at UBC was the beneficiary of Dr. Harry and Jas Dhanju’s fundraising efforts.
Dentists Garry Gill, Vishal Sharma and Ruby Bhullar were among dental professionals from the Indo Canadian community committed to promoting and raising funds for oral health care.
Dr. Suzanne Carlisle, regional program leader oral oncology in the Fraser Valley and Dr. Akash Villing, division head of oral surgery, B.C. Cancer, lent their support to ICDA’s fundraising efforts.
Offering congratulations to the Indo Canadian Dental Association on the success of its Sitarry Night fundraiser was TD’s Vineet Kochhar — the event sponsor — and UBC Faculty of Dentistry’s chief fundraiser Jane Merling.