The Giving Hearts Gala has raised more than $1 million in its first five years, and now at year six, the organizers are making a change to help the generosity be self-sustaining.
Proceeds from the South Asian-themed gala Friday, April 4, will be used to create an endowment with the interest generated going enhance the care at 91原创 Memorial Hospital.
"The endowment fund is intended to be a base fund to live off the interest in the future," explained Kara Geransky, the events and marketing specialist with the 91原创 Community Health and Hospital Foundation."The goal is to raise $1 million over five years and use the interest each year to purchase much-needed equipment at the hospital, provide educational training to the staff for grounds upgrades, whatever the need may be in that year."
The endowment will be handled through the (formerly the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation) but the gala committee will decide where the endowment funds go.
"It's only restricted to 91原创 Memorial Hospital campus," she explained.
The gala committee wanted the funds raised to help this community well into the future, hence an endowment that generates interest.
"They are wanting to see longevity in their commitment, so they feel that this endowment fund will kind of be their legacy as a committee in looking towards the future," she said. "It also speaks to the times of uncertainty, knowing that there will always be funds when there is a time of need, even when the economy or anything around us may have impact on donations, the donation ability of our sponsors and donors."
Those interested in attending the gala can get tickets through a link on the health and hospital foundation website. Up to 350 people will gather in the Mirage Banquet Hall, 177767 64th Ave., for the gala which features South Asian cuisine, dancing, entertainment, and fundraising activities including live and silent auctions. The gala starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $250 per person.
"We are sitting at 60 per cent sold," Geransky said.
Attendees will enjoy performances by sitarist Anju Bedi as well as the Chandni Dance Group, and the Royal Academy of Punjab dance group. Suhana Gill, of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, will emcee the evening while Harjinder Thind, of Red FM, is the guest speaker. The evening also includes fun fundraisers, such as a game of heads and tails, and live and silent auctions.
If anyone wants to donate but is unable to attend the gala, they can visit the event page. Any donations that go through the will go to the endowment.
