BC Business
Obakki Foundation raises over $400,000 at its second annual White Envelope Event with performances by Nickelback, Stephen Kellogg, Shawn Hook and Jim Cuddy with Barney Bentall
Chad Kroeger, Nickelback frontman; and Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder
Over 200 guests attended the Obakki Foundation’s second annual White Envelope Event September 5, raising more than $400,000. Hosted by philanthropist and clothing designer Treana Peake and her husband, Ryan Peake from Nickelback, the “anti-gala gala” featured an interactive art installation, a photography session by the Collective You and a backyard acoustic stage featuring performances by Nickelback, Stephen Kellogg, Shawn Hook and Jim Cuddy with Barney Bentall. This year’s theme, “The Story of Us,” was represented in an art piece that brings together the individual journeys of 150 women in Bidi Bidi, Uganda. The foundation is working to empower thousands of women in Bidi Bidi—the world’s largest refugee resettlement area—who have been displaced from South Sudan by brutal civil war.
Since its inception in 2008, the Obakki Foundation has drilled more than 2,500 wells, providing clean water to more than 2.5 million people, and has helped to build over 12 schools and hospitals in vulnerable areas in Africa. All administrative costs for the charity are covered by the Obakki fashion brand, with 100 percent of all public donations going directly into the field.
The White Envelope Event, presented by Nicola Wealth Management, was named as a nod to the anonymous person who started Treana on her philanthropic journey. When she was young, Treana’s family received a white envelope of money each year, which allowed them to make ends meet. To this day, Treana doesn’t know who the person was, but she hopes they see the ripple effect of their kindness.
Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder
Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation White Envelope Event founder
Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder, and Emmanuel Jal, former South Sudanese child soldier and current peace ambassador
Nickelback performs at the party
Chad Kroeger, Nickelback frontman; and Paul Duchart, BCBusiness photographer
Shawn Hook performs
Barney Bentall and Jim Cuddy perform
Ryan Peake, Jim Cuddy and Barney Bentall perform
The White Envelope Event