Sources Foundation’s 22nd annual fundraising gala, held last Saturday at Hazelmere Golf &Tennis Club, exceeded expectations that are set traditionally high, Sources CEO David Young said.
The ‘Blanc et Noir’ vintage French circus-themed event raised some $220,000 for Sources projects – well over the $200,000 goal set for the evening.
“And we’re still counting,” Young told Peace Arch News Tuesday. “I always like to be a little conservative in my estimates.”
More than 245 guests in elegant black and white formal attire enjoyed a dinner and performances by a magician, contortionist, fortune teller, mime and circus ringmaster in keeping with the theme and decor, while bidding digitally on silent auction items.
The auctioneering skills of Fred Lee helped build the excitement of the event’s live auction of many donated goods and services.
Master of ceremonies for the event was society president Bruce Hayne, and among those attending were Deb Sahl, representing Cloverdale-Langley City MP John Aldag; White Rock Coun. Megan Knight and Surrey Coun. Vera LeFranc.
Young gave a lot of credit for the success of the event to the organizing team headed by gala chair Mike Stuart, Sources Foundation treasurer and president of West Coast Golf Group.
“It’s hats off to Mike,” he said. “He really rolled up his sleeves and managed to bring together a group of volunteers and donors who were able to create this.”
Young said that feedback from those attending was also positive, adding to the feeling of a job well done.
“Every year we hear from people who really enjoyed the gala; that it was the best one ever – and that’s what we heard again.”
Two well-known community figures received special recognition at the event.
The 2017 Sources Community Hero Award was presented to Laura Cornale, of Laura’s Coffee Corner, by Sources Foundation president Harry White and White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin.
The award recognized Cornale’s action in starting a crowdfunding campaign last May to help victims of the Ocean Ridge apartment fire at Five Corners – which closed down her own business there. Her campaign, which she started almost immediately after the fire, inspired the community to raise $114,000 for residents.
And Young presented retiring Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordon Hogg – a former mayor of White Rock – with a special recognition award for his “years of service to the South Surrey-White Rock community” and his support of the Sources Society and foundation, of which he is an honorary life-member.
“We were recognizing two individuals – one who really stood up and made a difference in a crisis, and another who has done so many things over 40 years of community service,” Young said.
“Both are equally meaningful contributions.”
Young said Sources was “delighted” to be able to have Cornale as a guest and honour her with the Community Hero award.
“There wasn’t really a lot of debate about it,” he said.
“Laura is an incredibly unassuming person – she just stood up and did what needed to be done. She wasn’t looking for recognition. And to do that in the middle of her own loss was just incredible.”
Major sponsors for the evening were presenting sponsor Scotiabank and platinum sponsors B&B Contracting Group; Newmark Group; and Tybo Contracting Group.