All photos courtesy Brian Dennehy/Gemini Visuals
Gala Award Recipient for Best Fundraising or Non-Profit Event
When your annual fundraiser becomes the must-attend event in your community, you’re doing something right. When the only venue in your community that holds 600 people is an ice rink, and it’s still the must-attend event, you’re definitely doing something right. British Columbia’s Peace Arch Hospital Foundation is certainly doing something right.
This year’s annual fundraiser was a hybrid event, with a virtual raffle separate from the in-person event’s live raffle, as well as a meal from a local restaurant delivered directly to ticket holders’ homes. The event came at the heels of pandemic restrictions lifting, and working around staffing shortages and shipping delays (among other post-COVID issues) was no easy feat.
Known for their well-produced themes, this year’s fundraiser was themed “La Dolce Vita” and mimicked the cozy atmosphere of a small Italian village to create a sense of connection and warmth among attendees. The was created by family style service, but also by a variety of creative touches throughout the night, including: a 14-foot sprawling tree above the dining tables to emulate an Italian garden; a “House of Gucci” activation where a fashion illustrator drew custom sketches for attendees; a café with an espresso bar and gelato; a three-wheeled Piaggio Ape Van imported from Italy that acted as a mobile wine-and-bubbles bar; a 24-foot charcuterie table; living Renaissance-style statues; and a wine raffle.
The 500-guest black tie affair was more than just an enjoyable evening; by the end of the night, Peace Arch Hospital Foundation raised well over $900,000—a success for all!
Congratulations to Peace Arch Hospital Foundation for taking home the award for Best Fundraising or Non-Profit Event!
To submit an entry to this year's Gala awards, please visit our awards portal.
Important Dates
- Tuesday, April 1, 2023 | Gala Award Submissions Open
- September 1, 2022-September, 30, 2023 | Eligibility Period for Entries
- Sunday, October 15, 2023 | Regular submission deadline ($99 fee)
- Tuesday, October 31, 2023 | Late Bird submission deadline ($160 fee)
If you are interested in entering in the ACE awards instead, you can enter the 2024 Catersource ACE awards in the same online portal as the Gala awards. Catersource + The Special Event will run February 12-15, 2024 in Austin, TX. Both the ACE and Gala awards will be presented during the conference at a to-be-determined location in Austin.
