BC Business
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Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia raises $200,000 to protect B.C. waters
Almost 200 guests and business leaders attended the second annual Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia October 13. Presented by Telus, the event raised a record $200,000, double the amount raised last year.
The evening began with a cocktail reception and an opportunity to bid on silent auction items including an Edmonton Oilers VIP package with Wayne Gretzky, which fetched $17,000. Gala co-chairs were Lauren Hornor, Fraser Riverkeeper executive director, and Mark Mattson, Swim Drink Fish president. Edward Burtynsky, Governor General’s Award and TED prize recipient, was the featured guest, and broadcasting and recording executive Denise Donlon was the emcee.
Proceeds from the night of music and philanthropy will benefit Swim Drink Fish Canada and B.C.’s Fraser Riverkeeper, founded in 2004 to protect and restore the Fraser River and its watershed, ensuring the right of all citizens to safely swim, drink and fish in B.C. waters. The Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver is a key source of funding for protecting B.C.’s rivers, lakes, streams and beaches. In the last five years, Waterkeeper galas across Canada have raised more than $2.6 million to support the firm’s core programs and create a national movement to promote water culture.
Lauren Hornor, Fraser Riverkeeper executive director; Matthew Hornor, Tejas Capital Corp. international business leader; Kevin Johnston, redM Real Estate Development Management Group Ltd. managing partner; Bruce Langereis, Delta Land Development president; and David Suzuki, award-winning scientist, environmentalist, broadcaster and David Suzuki Foundation co-founder
Les Stroud, Survivorman TV personality; emcee Denise Donlon, broadcasting/recording executive and Waterkeeper Lake Ontario steward; and Mark Mattson, Swim Drink Fish Canada president and Waterkeeper gala founder
Dylan Neild, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper technical advisor; and Tim Thompson, filmmaker
Deb Chmelauskas, Turning Point Rehab occupational therapist; and her husband, Jay Chmelauskas, investor and former Western Lithium president
Rachelle van Zanten, singer/songwriter and activist; Shari Ulrich, musician; Denise Donlon, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper steward; Barney Bentall, musician; and Terry David Mulligan; radio and TV personality
Les Stroud, Survivorman TV personality; and Jennifer Baichwal, documentary filmmaker
Joshua McVeity, photographer; and Edward Burtynsky, award-winning Canadian photographer and Swim Drink Fish ambassador
Debra Hadden, Ostara VP communications; and Charlotte Abrary, environmentalist
Rachelle van Zanten, singer/songwriter & activist
Mark Mattson, Swim Drink Fish Canada president; Glenn Rink, Waterkeeper Alliance Inc. board chair; and Kris Moore, Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation board member and Waterkeeper trustee
Ruth Legg, HSBC manager of sustainability; and Coro Strandberg, Strandberg Consulting president
Catherine Chick, Seaspan VP business services & technology; and Tim Wolsky, Washington Corporations director of enterprise infrastrucure
Waterkeeper Gala Vancouver at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia
Barney Bentall, musician; Terry David Mulligan; radio and TV personality; Shari Ulrich, musician; and David Suzuki, award-winning scientist, environmentalist, broadcaster and David Suzuki Foundation co-founder