North Shore Waterfront Gala
Now in its twelfth year, the North Shore Waterfront Gala has exceeded all expectations, raising over $200,000! All proceeds go towards organizations located on the North Shore, and providing services to families and children here. The five founding sponsors believe that investing in the well-being of children—our future citizens, employees and leaders—is an investment in the future of our community and our businesses.
Gala beneficiaries included Backpack Buddies and North Shore Crisis Services Society (NCSSS), both for a third year. Each organization will receive $50,000 towards their much-needed programs. Additional funds raised are invested in an endowment fund with the North Shore Community Foundation to enable us to support grants for the community in perpetuity.
Hungry kids who rely on school-based meal programs during the week often struggle on the weekends when meal support is scarce. Backpack Buddies fills this "weekend hunger gap" by discreetly providing bags of food directly to kids every Friday. These bags contain enough meals and snacks to last the weekend and beyond, ensuring kids return to school nourished and ready for the week ahead.
NSCSS provides emergency shelter, longer-term housing solutions, and direct service programs to women, children and their pets on the North Shore who are seeking safety. Funding from the Gala will advance life-changing housing and support services that will help more women and single-parent families rebuild their lives—happy, healthy, and free from violence.
This year's sold-out Gala was attended by over 300 people, who vied for silent auction items and live auction items including: Luxury Yacht Charter, Rocky Mountaineer Train Journey, Jordan Perkins Painting (painted live at the Gala), and Two Dinners prepared and served by the North Vancouver District Firefighters raising a total of $18,000. A big thank you to the attendees and sponsors for their contributions!