Fundraisers are always looking for that unique edge that will make their events stand out, stay fresh, and ignite sufficient interest to send their charity fundraising goals over the top. 

The committee which is planning this year鈥檚 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation gala has picked one of the most unusual locations to host what is one of the community鈥檚 biggest social events of the year: Hangar 3 at the Canadian Museum of Flight at 91原创 Regional Airport.

鈥淲e were looking for something unique, something completely different,鈥� said Tania Vrionis, the foundation鈥檚 executive director.

鈥淲e wanted to flip it totally inside out.鈥�

The gala will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $175 ($1,250 for a group of 8) and are available at 604 533-6422, langleyhospitalfoundation@fraserhealth.ca, or online at www.lmhfoundation.com.

The gourmet fare will be catered by The Seasonal Experience. The Fort Winery, Domaine de Chaberton, Neck of the Woods and Vista d鈥橭ro will provide the wine. 

There will be live and silent auctions, and guests will dance to the Swing Soul Orchestra.

Vrionis said that it will take a lot of work to transform the museum so that it takes on the ambience of an elegant soiree. Equally important is that taking the bold step of choosing the flight museum will shine the spotlight on an important 91原创 landmark. 

鈥淲e will showcase this little gem, and bring a very different feel to the event,鈥� Vrionis said, 鈥渁nd we will bring the same elegance that we have always had, but at a different and unique venue.鈥�

Proceeds from galas are used to buy much-needed equipment for 91原创 Memorial Hospital. This year, money will be spent on top-of-the-line endoscopy equipment to enhance the diagnosis of colorectal conditions.

鈥淲ith new HD technology, our current scopes have become quite out of date,鈥� Vrionis said.

鈥淲e have already begun to replace some scopes with HD technology which gives better accuracy, is a more effective and efficient and may reduce wait times,鈥� she added.

It鈥檚 only appropriate that a glittering gala with an aviation theme should have a major airline as a supporter. Westjet has joined the list of sponsors, which include The Times, and one of the highlights of the evening will be a draw for two tickets to any Westjet destination.

鈥淭he odds are pretty good,鈥� Vrionis said.

鈥淭here are a lot of great things coming this year, a lot of changes. It鈥檚 a year of growth and a new vision for the hospital.鈥�

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The Canadian Museum of Flight houses a large collection of aircraft and artifacts which illustrate the region鈥檚 long involvement with aviation. Aircraft include replicas of Second World War planes, a 1930 Waco biplane, a 1940 Douglas DC-3 transport plane and a 1942 Hampden bomber. The collection moves into the jet age with a Vampire fighter, the all-Canadian designed and built CF-100, and the needle-nosed Lockheed Starfighter.

A number of planes are maintained in flying condition, among them a 1930 Waco INF, a 1937 Waco AQC, a 1940 Tiger Moth, a 1940 Fleet Finch and a 1942 Harvard. A replica of a First World War SE5A and a replica of a Second World War Mustang are part of the museum鈥檚 collection that fly regularly in the summer months.