BC Business
The Children's Wish Foundation's 5th annual Night of Wonders Gala raises a record $550,000 for granting wishes to B.C. and Yukon children
The silent auction table at the Children’s Wish Foundation’s Night of Wonders Gala 2018
A sold-out crowd of 350 guests attended the fifth annual Children’s Wish Foundation‘s Night of Wonders Gala at the London Aviation Centre on March 8. Presented by Pacific Blue Cross, the live and silent auctions raised a record-setting $550,000 to enable B.C. and Yukon kids to receive their most heartfelt wish.
CountDown Events transformed the massive airport hanger into the beauty of the night sky. The gala’s “Wishes Take Flight” theme celebrated the vastness of a wish and paid homage to the number of travel wishes Children’s Wish grants.
CBC’s man about town Fred Lee and Global BC News Hour anchor Sophie Lui emceed the gala. Guests were treated to wines by Liquidity Wines, custom cocktails from the Liberty Distillery and a three-course dinner prepared by the Lazy Gourmet. Entertainment included an acoustic performance by wish-child Jaimey Hamilton, a live piano trio and a jaw-dropping act by contortionist Stephanie Van Dyck.
Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada is dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. For more than 30 years, Children’s Wish has granted wishes to more than 25,000 children and their families.
Money raised at the gala will allow over 55 local children and families to see their wishes come true this year.
Gala co-chairs Kevin Mazzone, Lazy Gourmet GM; and Tiffany Soper, Avenue PR partner
Gala emcees Fred Lee, CBC’s man about town; and Sophie Lui, Global BC News Hour co-anchor
Shannon Heth, Milk Creative owner and gala committee member; Joy Pecknold, Fashion Magazine western editor at large; and Malania Dela Cruz, Faulhaber Communications director
Suzie Thomas; Matt Spencer, London Air Services assistant operations manager; and Tessa Spencer
Soha Lavin, CountDown Events founder and gala committee member; and Jennie De Jong, CountDown Events maven
Gala committee members Kim Desmaris, Holt Renfrew; Robin Gill, Global National weekend anchor; and Kate Rassekh
Robert George, West Bros. Frame & Chair Ltd. president; and Susan MacKenzie, injections nurse
Duncan Beattie, ITC Construction senior project manager; and his dad, Angus Beattie, Omicron Canada, VP industrial
Donald Hayes, businessman; and Philip Meyer, Rosewood Hotel Georgia managing director
Farzana Adatiya, Pacific Blue Cross SVP strategy and implementation; and Amin Adatiya, Concept 2 Execution
Pam Gill, BC Mental Health nurse; and Michele Duncan, BCLC executive assistant
Susan Carter, personal property manager; and Jim Carter
Nadia Shivji; and her husband, Hussein Shivji, Shivji Financial president
Adina Egami, Noise Digital producer; and Lisa Egami, Teekay Shipping executive assistant
Gala emcees Fred Lee and Sophie Lui take the stage
Gala co-chairs Kevin Mazzone, The Lazy Gourmet GM; and Tiffany Soper, Avenue PR partner
Contortionist Stephanie Van Dyck
Singer Jaimey Hamilton performs for guests
Jamie-Lee Fuoco, Fuoco Photography owner; Shannon Boudreau, The Lazy Gourmet director of sales and events; and Roxana Roohani, notary public
Liquidity Wines’ Stephen Judge, tasting room supervisor, and Erin Korpisto, customer experience andcommunications manager
Aman Narula, Sabzi Mandi Supermarket principal; and Michael Dha, Strive Recruitment founder
Hailey Hamilton; her sister, Jaimey Hamilton, Children’s Wish performer; and Michelle Nowacki, Strive Recruitment account manager
The Children’s Wish Foundation’s Night of Wonders Gala 2018
The Lazy Gourmet served Asian spiced short rib for dinner by with wines from Liquidity Wines