5th Annual Cabriolet Charity Gala with Special Guest Jay Leno! Presenting Sponsor Brian Jessel BMW
Proceeds supporting the Canucks Autism Network, Arts Umbrella and VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation (Pancreatic Cancer Research).
Hats off to Rhoda Rizkalla, Brian Jessel. the committee, volunteers, staff and generous sponsors for pulling off another amazing fundraiser!
Art of BMW by Ron Sombilon Gallery
www.BrianJessel.BMW.com
www.JayLenosGarage.com
www.RonSombilonGallery.com
Pac Blue Printing - Official Printers of the Ron Sombilon Gallery
www.PacBluePrinting.com
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VIEW All the photos from the Gala.
www.flickr.com/photos/23889619@N04/sets/72157 624034109702/
Learn about the Charities you have helped
About the Canucks Autism Network
www.CanucksAutism.ca
In 1996 Paolo and Clara Aquilini listened in shock and disbelief as medical professionals diagnosed their son with autism.
In the following years Paolo and Clara experienced the trials and triumphs that come with raising a child with autism. They also began to live with the frustration of watching their beloved child struggle to participate in "normal" activities and at times be told that he was simply unable to do so.
Autism deeply affects not only the individual who is diagnosed, but also their families. As the rate of occurrence of autism continues to climb and existing programs become increasingly overwhelmed, Paolo and Clara’s hearts and prayers continually go out to other families facing the same turmoil and challenges.
Compelled by the growing need in the community and driven by their own personal experience, Paolo and Clara constantly searched for ways to support families living with autism. It is their profound desire to enhance the quality of life for families living with autism in BC.
This vision is the founding inspiration for the Canucks Autism Network and will guide us in our mission to provide high quality recreational, sports, social and vocational development programs for individuals and families living with autism and to build capacity through community networks across British Columbia.
You have the power to enhance the lives of individuals and families living with autism!
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About Arts Umbrella
www.ArtsUmbrella.com
"It was a dream to instil in all children the love of the arts, inspiring them to become healthy, confident, productive, creative citizens. A dream to build a centre that would awaken the artistic potential of young people in a way that hadn't been done before. It was a dream to make a difference."
— Carol Henriquez, O.C.,
honorary chair of the Arts Umbrella board of directors, co-founder of Arts Umbrella
In 1979, United Nations' International Year of the Child, Arts Umbrella opened its doors to 45 children. It was an endeavour buoyed by the dream of five enthusiastic artists concerned about the lack of arts education available to children. The founders served as instructors, the organization's first board of directors and did everything it took to get their idea off the ground.
The need in the community for children's arts education was evident, and Arts Umbrella took off instantly. Soon a new building, an increasing group of volunteers and donors, and a high-level Board of Directors were in place.
Arts Umbrella has flourished with a strong vision and an unwavering focus on inspiring kids for life through the arts by providing the highest quality visual and performing arts education to children regardless of their financial circumstances.
At Arts Umbrella, children learn to dance, to paint, to sculpt, to create computer games and cartoons, and to perform. They experience the joy of creation and discover their own creative potential. They learn to appreciate the arts. Through arts education, children gain self confidence, independent thinking, technical skills, discipline, and even improved academic results and specific career direction.
Arts Umbrella's strong legacy and culture are the result of the vision and "magic" established by the founders, and continued through the work of the community that supports and upholds the organization. Everyone that has been touched by Arts Umbrella — from students past and present, to parents, staff, instructors, volunteers, donors and the board of directors — thrives and is fed by the energy of the thousands of young people who engage in the magic of the Arts Umbrella experience, year after year.
This magic — charismatic, knowledgeable instructors fostering creativity and inspiring passion in children — is a key attribute of Arts Umbrella, and something the organization continues to take very seriously.
By fostering and nurturing the magic, Arts Umbrella has become a truly world-class children's arts centre serving the community around it, and a model for children's arts institutions around the world.
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About the UBC and VGH Hospital Foundation
www.WorldClassHealthCare.ca
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a registered charity that raises funding for the latest, most sophisticated medical equipment, world-class research and improvements to patient care for Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.
For more than 25 years, the Foundation and its donors have been a bridge between the essential health care governments provide and the most advanced health care possible
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CKNW - NEWS TALK SPORTS AM 980.
www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/Community/JoyJournal.aspx
Joy Metcalfe isn't really everywhere, it just seems that way. Openings, premieres, interviews, news conferences, celebrity sightings...it's fast-paced, energetic, and effusive, like Joy herself.
"My main job in life? Get it first." - Joy Metcalfe
Joy's Journal - Tuesday, May 11th
He came, he saw, he conquered - almost! Jay Leno, the best known and talented late night show host/comedian and well-known car buff, was the very special guest at auto tycoon Brian Jessel's 5th annual fund-raising Cabriolet Soiree in his spacious BMW car showroom on Boundary Road. Jay doesn't waste time. He flew in at 7:30 and departed our town at midnight, but not before he had the audience in stitches.
Prior to his show, more than 1200 guests swilled and milled about checking out the various auction items and munching on the delectable hors d'oeuvres produced by the chefs from Joe Fortes, Elixir and Vij's. Vikram was almost as popular as Jay, with guests asking for photographs and autographs as well as seconds on his butter chicken.
CTV's Mike Killeen and Coleen Christie emceed the gala, co-chairs were Jim Murray and Rhoda Rizkalla while the ubiquitous Barry Scott was auctioneer. Also spotted Olympian Charmaine Crooks, top insurers Devina and Paul Zalesky, star-tracker Darren Parkman, Ask A Woman's Tammy Preast, Dr.Crysta Sevne of the Vitality Clinic, Baroness Heidi von Phetten, Kathy Winton and her attractive daughter Kelly, Clara Aquilini, Julie Ferguson, Alexis Palkowski, Kasondra Cohen, P.R.s Lori Rowe, Annabel Hawksworth and Jill Killeen, CBC boss Johnny Michel and his wife Helen, Mel, Wendy and Carmen Zajac and Joe Fortes' lovable Frenchy Gagne.
And while Jay did his almost-hour-long monologue on the U.S. politicians, actors and VIPs, in my humble opinion, he could have had the crowd rolling in the aisles just by talking about BC politics. Think of the comedic possibilities - Gordo, Vander Zalm, Kash Heed et al. An untapped goldmine of zingers.
In the end though, the evening was all about raising money and they certainly did that. And the last auction item paid off. Jay offered a private tour of his garage and four VIP tickets to the Tonight Show. He asked the audience who would pay $2000. More than 50 bid paddles went up and Jay announced that they could all go, instantly adding $100,000 for the charities!
Total take for the gala - $250,000..
