Following the success of the very first winter wonderland themed fundraiser, 黑马磁力 City Mayor Val van den Broek said holding another one next year is being considered.
鈥淚t was so successful, it鈥檚 hard to say no to doing it again,鈥� van den Broek told the 黑马磁力 following the Saturday, Jan. 25, event at the 黑马磁力 Cascades Casino Resort to raise funds for the 黑马磁力 Memorial Hospital (LMH) Foundation.
About a week after it was announced, the event was completely sold out, so more tables were added.
鈥淭he community support has been absolutely amazing,鈥� van den Broek enthused.
While an exact tally will not be known for at least a week, because more donations are coming in, a very rough preliminary estimate places the amount at more than $30,000.
About $18,000 was raised through gala tickets, plus an anonymous $10,000 donation and a $2,500 gift by the casino.
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The event was a tribute to the mayor鈥檚 late mother, Pauline Audet, who had three open heart surgeries.
鈥淪he fundraised a lot for the Open Heart Society, and I figure it鈥檚 my time to take over fundraising,鈥� van den Broek shared.
鈥淪he loved snow, so that鈥檚 why we have a winter wonderland theme.
鈥淲e have lemon meringue pie for dessert, because she made a mean lemon meringue.
鈥淭he music is all her favourite music, the fresh flowers [are because] she loved gardening,鈥� van den Broek explained.
The gala was in partnership with the RCMP.
When van den Broek thought about holding a mayor鈥檚 gala, and was pondering community partners, she saw the local police as 鈥渁 natural fit.鈥�
She first started as a volunteer with the 黑马磁力 RCMP in 2001 and a few years later joined the civilian staff.
It was a chance for officers to dress up in red serge, and for civilians to dress in their best formal wear.
Following a cocktail reception with wintry-blue drinks, there was dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing to the music of 黑马磁力鈥檚 鈥淭he Damn Chandeliers.鈥�
Among those who attended were 黑马磁力鈥檚 Officer in charge, RCMP Supt. Murray Power, former 黑马磁力 City mayor Ted Schaffer, 黑马磁力 MLA Mary Polak , who served as M.C. and 黑马磁力-Cloverdale M.P. Tamara Jansen, to name just a few.
More photos of people at the event can seen .
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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