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Fred UnLEEshed: Nov. 21, 2014

MIRACLE WHIP: Gala founder Robin Dhir had much to celebrate at the sixth running of his A Night of Miracles fundraiser, held at the Vancouver Marriot Hotel. The dinner, which drew leading members of B.C.

MIRACLE WHIP: Gala founder Robin Dhir had much to celebrate at the sixth running of his A Night of Miracles fundraiser, held at the Vancouver Marriot Hotel. The dinner, which drew leading members of B.C.’s South Asian community, netted $800,000, completing Dhir’s pledge of $3 million to support the construction of the Special Procedures Suites in the new B.C. Children’s Hospital. Donors Arran and Ratana Stephens helped the community reach the goal by pledging to match gifts up to $1 million, an incentive that inspired many others to give. Luminaries in attendance included B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake, Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General Suzanne Anton.

SPECIAL K: Kids were the big winners at the Sports Celebrities Festival presented by Silver Wheaton. More than 600 athletic supporters filed into the Hotel Vancouver for an inspiring evening in support of the Canucks for Kids Fund and Special Olympics B.C. Now in its 16th year, this year’s benefit — led by Blair Shier and Doug Holtby — saw guests meet and mingle with some of B.C.’s top sports personalities and take on the Canucks in various table and electronic games before sitting down to a royal repast. Hosted by John Shorthouse and Tamara Taggart, the evening of fun and philanthropy was on course to raise a half a million dollars to support life-changing athletics programs for both charities.

TAKING NOTE: With more than two million monthly Canadian visitors, Notable.ca is the largest website for young professional adults in the country. Launched in 2008, the online publication highlights young Canadians who are doing notable things, while also featuring people, places and things of interest. The organization recently presented its inaugural Notable Awards, held in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.  The West Coast edition — a marathon affair, where trophies were handed out in 27 categories — was staged at the Imperial Lounge. Among the night’s big winners: event planners Tyson Villeneuve and Jordan Kallman (Diner en blanc), Medina’s Robbie Kane (Medina) and social entrepreneur Alex Chuang.