By Pepper Parr
October 23rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
With a modified corporate name the Burlington Foundation held its annual gala, Share to Care, Saturday night at the Performing Arts Centre and took a “Marche” dining approach. No tables, there were what appeared to be organized collections of people in the Mezzanine/balcony areas.
The picture is worth the thousand words.
The gowns that were good were stunning. When the women in the city decide to show it off – they do a great job. It is no longer socially acceptable for men to comment on how stunning some women look – so we will leave it at that.
The Foundation uses the gala to raise their operating funds and manage the numerous endowments they have to do the fine work they have done and will undoubtedly continue to do.
They were responsible for raising the profile of mental health in the community and deserve credit for doing what no one else was prepared to take a chance on.
There are hundreds of not-for-profit groups in this city who are able to do their work to some degree because of the funding they have gotten from the Foundation in the past.
The Burlington Community Fund grants to the pressing needs in Burlington, with a current focus on poverty, youth and mental health. This unrestricted endowed fund responds to grant applications received from local charitable organizations.
The Sold Out crowd made a night of it.
During fiscal 2015-16 the Foundation made 14 grants that ranged from $1500 to $20,000.
When push comes to shove and there is a hard job, a really hard job that has to be done with no time to dither – it is the Foundation that gets the call. They in turn make the calls to the people they know will produce.
The response to that flood in 2014 is a sparking example as to just how effective a soundly run community organization can be. This newspaper still doesn’t understand why they took the word community out of their name – but with the track record they have – they can do whatever they like.
That is a Jean Belliveau sweater.
The Silent Auction tables were full enough – there was a Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater with the late Jean Belliveau’s number on it – worth whatever someone paid for it.
The sold out crowd appeared to enjoy themselves Saturday night. The DJ providing the music had a great selection – but this reporter didn’t see anyone dancing – well – this is Burlington.
The opportunity to network, get caught up with people they may have lost touch with and then take in some first class entertainment when Allan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies performed in the Main Theatre made it a fine evening.
I am sure these ladies will be thrilled to read that their efforts made an impact.
I disagree with your comment regarding women. I think it is perfectly acceptable to comment if a woman looks beautiful, stunning or impeccable. Please do not let the Trumps of this world take away decent chivalry and manners. What he said was totally different. There is not a woman out there that does not like to be told that her efforts with hair, dress and make up are not appreciated. Thank you.
OK – Lori Heron looked divine in a beautifully cut blue outfit. And the woman in the full-length black gown with one of those slits up the side that stopped just where it was supposed to stop.