Gala Fundraiser
Garden Party
View more photos from the gala:
Many thanks to these fine folks for their support:
Gala Planning Committee: Mary Blockberger: Rosemary Bates Terry, Paddy Wales, Susan Chipman, Heather Vince (Chair)
Gala Décor Team: Anne Marie Lasuta (Chair), Bev Nielsen, Esther Scmit, Joan Powell, Lynn Duncan, Margaret Boyd, Penny Dunford
Special Appreciation: Auctioneer – Ed Hill; Emcee – Vicki Gabereau; Catering – Katija Dewar & Sonja Hausner, (The Nomadic Kitchen); Florals – Kori Hudrick, Melissa Tripp, Paddy Wales, Vicki Halldorson; Harpist – Maureen Bodie; Music – Kenneth Johnson & Nancy Pincombe (Soleil Duo); Photography – Heather Till, Jennifer Oke; Wine – Dan Schell, Karen Madsen & Chris Funnel
Volunteers: Amanda Offers, Bill Lasuta, Katie MacKenzie, Jennifer McPherson, Kate Kraft, Leah McMullen, Mark & Maureen Ward, Sandra Cunningham
Summer gala ‘Garden Party’ kicks off fundraising for new Plant Propagation Program
August 9th, 2023
The Garden was all aglow for the return of the gala fundraiser on August 9th – after a dramatic parting of the rain clouds let the sun in, that is! Finally, after a long spell of warm & sunny weather, the skies above made good on a promise to provide the rain the plants and trees so desperately needed. As Murphy’s Law goes, and to our dismay, this would take place in the days leading up to our anticipated event! But as longtime Garden member and gala harpist Maureen Bodie said, “The weather goddess was grinning down on us.”
The evening was a celebratory kick-off to raise funds for what will be one of the Garden’s most important initiatives: the Plant Propagation Program, which will enable us to grow endangered plant species to create fully supported ecosystems, produce plants for the Garden’s annual plant sale, and grow tree species for our future arboretum.
A phenomenal team of committed and talented volunteers created the incredible, white-themed décor and flower arrangements that greeted our guests. The Birch Allée, decked in white parasols, guided our attendees to Karen Madsen, Dan Schell and Chris Funnel who welcomed them with flutes of sparkling wine from wine sponsor Hester Creek Estate Winery. Nancy Pincombe and Kenneth Johnson, the couple behind Soleil Duo, set the tone with their classy-jazz sounds.
Native plants such as huckleberry, salal, Oregon grape, and sword fern were on display and used to adorn the tables and tents. The Nomadic Kitchen prepared canapes, dinner, and dessert which we are still receiving praise for; the Garden’s Board Vice-President, Jean Bennett spoke to the reasons for and the multitude of benefits that will be drawn from the Plant Propagation Program; and Board Director Rosemary Bates Terry followed by dedicating a legacy gift of her late husband, Bill Terry, in support of this new initiative. The evening’s emcee Vicki Gabereau and auctioneer Ed Hill provided an entertaining and profitable live auction. Thanks to the generous bidding of Garden supporters and gala guests in the live and silent auctions, the Garden raised $31,000.
The event was made possible by our generous event sponsors Sunshine Coast Community Forest, O’Reilly Real Estate, Crowe MacKay, and Hear on the Coast. And of course, we are most grateful to all the guests, donors, bidders, volunteers, staff, in-kind sponsors, and community partners who made this evening such a success!
We are grateful for the support of our generous sponsors
