DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: YWCA hosted its annual Women of Distinction Awards June 3. Recognized nationally as one of Canada’s most prestigious awards for women, it honours people whose achievements contribute to the wellbeing of our community. Fifty-five women were nominated for the 31st edition. More than 1,000 guests packed the Westin Bayshore Hotel for the Scotiabank-sponsored dinner and benefit. Recipients this year were: SD Holman (arts), Shashi Assanand (community builder), Janis Sarra (education), Shannon Rogers (entrepreneurship), Lyda Salatian (sustainability), Victoria Bernstein (health) and Darlene Marzari (public service), Jennifer Gardy (technology), Isabel Chan (youth) and Kristi Blakeway (community connector). Additionally, more than $60,000 was raised to support YWCA programs that help improve the lives of more than 55,000 people each year across Metro Vancouver.
GLOWING HEARTS: Heart disease and stroke still take one Canadian life every seven minutes, and today more than 1.6 million individuals live with the effects of these diseases. Over the past nine years, guests and supporters of the Heart of Gold Gala have contributed $4 million to advance the Heart and Stroke foundation’s efforts to fund better cardiac emergency response, stroke research and rehabilitation, survivors and caregiver support, and vital education programs for children and families. That’s why 500 guests packed the Hotel Vancouver ballroom for the 10th annual event, sponsored by the Vancouver Courier. Olympian Charmaine Crooks chaired the New York-themed affair. Thanks to a lively auction and Hearts Helping Hearts’ matching campaign, the event raised a record $920,000 in support of heart disease and stroke research, health promotion and advocacy.
BIG LIFT: Founded by John Volken, Lift the Children is a humanitarian organization focused on helping abandoned African children by providing a safe, nurturing and loving environment. The orphans are given shelter, food, education and proper healthcare. The foundation’s focus is to provide food, shelter and education to the most vulnerable and lift them out of poverty. Currently, it supports more than 10,000 children in 80-plus orphanages thanks to its fundraising efforts. The charity held its second annual fundraising dinner at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Emceed by Saving Hope’s Erica Durance, a well-heeled crowd gathered for an evening of fun and philanthropy. The impressive evening raised a reported $775,000 to help children and communities become self-sufficient through sustainable agricultural production and education.
