David Foster makes another record by raising $10.2 million for his foundation

Credit: Janine Verreault

The gala and concert drew some 10,000 attendees

Donations at the 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert included $1 million apiece from Jim Pattison and Jim Treliving

Money was no object at the recent David Foster Foundation Miracle Gala & Concert. Last Saturday (October 21), more than 850 gala guests and 9,000 music fans gathered at Rogers Arena for an evening of entertainment featuring and attended by some 30 celebrities. Among the biggest names lending support to famed producer and composer Foster: media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey, TV psychologist Phillip (Dr. Phil) McGraw and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.

Before the 30th anniversary fundraising concert began, the gala crowd donated a record $10.2 million to Foster’s foundation, which has helped roughly 1,100 Canadian families with children in need of major organ transplants by covering non-medical expenses. B.C. billionaire Jim Pattison gave $1 million, as did Boston Pizza founder Jim Treliving and his wife, Sandi. Along with Toronto-based real estate magnate Walter Schneider, Pattison also received a David Foster Visionary Award for extraordinary contributions to humanitarian efforts.

OK, but how was the show? Among other acts, local pop star Carly Rae Jepsen sang her worldwide smash “Call Me Maybe,” former Tonight Show host Jay Leno did some standup comedy, and country legend Reba McEntire turned in a surprise set. But for us, the highlight was Tyler’s smoking rendition of the 1973 Aerosmith hit “Dream On.” Still crushing it on the cusp of 70, the lion-maned rocker showed why he’s a legend.