Building Hope Gala Ropes In Donations
By John Swartz
Last Friday night’s Building Hope Country Gala fundraiser at Casino Rama had a packed room of 286 people for dinner and entertainment.
Tickets were $150 per person and proceeds form a silent auction of dozens of donated items and a live auction of art (which added more than $2,500), when combined could contribute $25,000 to the $3 million goal.
Announced at the Gala was a donation of $10,000 from the Chippewas of Rama. Leah Denbok was a featured speaker and she told the audience of her experiences gathering stories and photos of the subjects in her book, Nowhere To Call Home. Pat Nixon, who started Calgary’s homeless shelter Mustard Seed Street Ministry, spoke of his rise from the streets to become a member of the Order of Canada for his work helping others. Then Jason McCoy took the stage with his band to play.
Also unveiled was a sculpture of a lighthouse created by Paul Baxter which will eventually be installed at the Queen Street project.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia)
