A New West-based charity that supports youth at risk raised more than $70,000 at its recent fundraiser.
Dan’s Legacy’s 11th annual Chefs’ Charity dinner, attended by 188 guests on Nov. 16, raised $77,685. Presented by the BCGEU, the fundraiser was held at the Freemasons Hall in New Westminster.
“We really have a lot to thank the community of New Westminster for,” said Barbara Coates, Dan’s Legacy’s executive director. “Everyone has been so generous, and we know that with their ongoing support, we can continue to provide critically needed mental health counselling and job-skills training to young people asking for our help.”
By the end of 2024, Dan’s Legacy predicts it will have provided free services to about 700 at-risk youth in the Lower Mainland. These programs include a harm prevention approach to counselling, wrap-around support programs, and job training in the culinary industry.
Funds raised at the dinner – which featured dishes made from surplus food – will go towards Dan’s Legacy’s trauma-informed, no-barrier counselling programs, as well as its Build a Kitchen campaign.
Celebrity host Erin Cebula MCed the event, which featured the culinary creations of Chefs Shay Kelly (LACH& KEA Culinary Consultants), Andrew Brazeau-George (Ono Collectives), Alannah Peddie (Frolic & Forage Catering), as well as Luke Willingdon assisted by students from Dan’s Diner.
Anyone who was unable to attend the gala but would like to support Dan’s Legacy, or knows someone who is asking for help, can go online to donate or to Get Help.
Supporting RCH
A New West charity has raised thousands of dollars for Royal Columbian Hospital since its formation 20 years ago.
After being named New Westminster’s Citizen of the Year in 2003, New West resident Gerda Suess sought a way to continue contributing to the community. The end result was the Group of Five, a non-profit comprised of local residents who host an annual fundraiser to buy equipment for Royal Columbian Hospital.
The Group of Five continued its efforts to raise money for Royal Columbian Hospital and celebrated its 20th anniversary at its Because of You fundraiser on Nov. 15 at Centennial Lodge in Queen’s Park.
Organized by Group of Five member Nancy Jickels, this year’s fundraiser topped its goal of raising $6,000 for the purchase of a much-needed lightweight LED medical headlight system, which is a headlight system that provides surgeons with bright, uniform lighting.
The Because of You fundraiser, which included raffle draws and a silent auction, raised almost 7,000.
Attendees at the fundraiser include Mayor Patrick Johnstone, councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, and New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian.
Julian presented Suess with a certificate in recognition of the group’s 20th anniversary. He also acknowledged the group’s accomplishments, saying Suess’s passion and efforts have helped the group raise more than $250,000 for Royal Columbian Hospital.
“They have made a tremendous difference,” Julian said. “Thank you for the difference you have made in our community.”
Hidden talents?
Coun. Daniel Fontaine has revealed that two New Westminster politicians may have hidden talents – on the dance floor.
At the Nov. 18 council meeting, Fontaine said that he and other local politicians had attended the North Fraser Métis Association’s Louis Riel celebration, including Mayor Patrick Johnstone, Coun. Paul Minhas, New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian, New Westminster-Coquitlam MLA Jennifer Whiteside, and New West school trustee Danielle Connelly.
“I will say I was super impressed by the mayor's jigging. If you haven't seen his Instagram account, I would highly suggest …,” said Fontaine – at which point he was good-naturedly cut off by the mayor.
“Point of order,” Johnstone joked.
Fontaine, who is Métis, thanked the North Fraser Métis Association for putting on a “fantastic” event on Nov. 16.
“In all seriousness, he's a good jigger. I didn't jig; I just let him do to get up there,” he said. “But it was a great opportunity for the Métis people in the North Fraser Métis Association to get together. And the mayor was a good sport, as was actually Jennifer Whiteside, to get up and to spend a fair amount of time learning how to jig and dance. So that was fantastic.”
The North Fraser Métis Association, an Indigenous non-profit organization based in New West, organizes cultural and historical activities and programs for Métis people.
