On Saturday, May 23rd over 600 bidders registered for the Fighting COVID Together online charity auction, raising $60,000 for six of British Columbia’s most well-respected philanthropic organizations.
Fighting COVID Together Online Gala Auction Raises $60,000 for BC Charities
“We are over the moon with these results and the profile this event gave to these most worthy organizations,” says co-organizer Tracey Wade.
Participating charities that had items up for bids, along with “Fund-a-Need” options were:
After their gala events were cancelled this spring due to COVID-19, these charities came together in this exciting, fun, and unprecedented live online charity auction event hosted by AbleAuctions.ca.
Co-organizer Howard Blank praised Jeremy Dodd and the wonderful team at Able Auctions for their assistance in making this event possible. “100% of all proceeds went directly back to the charitable organizations as Able Auctions donated everything for this event!”
The concept for Fighting COVID Together came about when Howard Blank, known for mixing his love for philanthropy and his skill for hosting and auctioneering, wanted to do something to help all the charities he cares so much about. He turned to his friends at Able Auctions and event expert Tracey Wade, Laura Ballance, and Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt — and Fighting COVID Together was created.
Vancouver-based non-profit One Girl Can invites people around the world to unite at their first ever virtual IWANTtoBE event: Alone Together: A No Gala, Gala presented by Beedie Foundation.
Alone Together for One Girl Can
When: Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 6:00pm Where: Online! Tickets: Register for Alone, Together online through Handbid. Registration fee is by donation; anyone who donates $99 or above will receive an AG Hair gift box valued at $95. Attendees will require a computer or the Handbid app to access the event.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, countries like Kenya have experienced unprecedented school closures. Many girls and women may be overburdened by being a caregiver for their families and facing growing domestic violence. The limited gains made in past decades toward gender equality are at risk of being rolled back.
This is why One Girl Can is all the more focused on their commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty and impacting gender equality through education and mentorship. With this in mind, the organization has adapted their original IWANTtoBE fundraiser – initially scheduled to take place in April at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom – to a global virtual event, where anyone in the world can join.
One Girl Can’s fundraiser will be hosted by Mackenzie Davis, Canadian actress and One Girl Can ambassador. Alone, Together will feature inspirational speakers broadcasting live from Kenya, silent and live auctions, and a special live musical performance by Los Angeles-based musician Rainsford.
Event Schedule on June 4th
6:00pm Welcome remarks from Lotte and Mackenzie Davis
6:15pm Mackenzie Davis interview with Royashley Mbuthi and Millicent Mutheu, students
of One Girl Can
6:25pm Live auction
6:40pm Online silent auction closes
6:45pm Special performance by Rainsford
“The global pandemic has affected societies and economies around the world – but cultural gains are being impacted too, with economists predicting women to be hit harder than men and existing inequalities to worsen,” says Lotte Davis, CEO and Founder of One Girl Can.
“The future of the 500 girls we sponsor, mentor, and build schools for depends entirely on our generosity. We can’t stop our fundraising efforts now as Kenya faces one of its biggest challenges.”
100% of all donations will go directly to funding scholarships for girls living in extreme poverty in Kenya. For updates, including information on the silent and live auctions as well as exclusive pre-event content, follow One Girl Can’s social media accounts.
Now in its 13th year the GrapeJuice Wine Auction presented by RBC is committed to continuing its support of Big Sisters by going virtual for a live streamed evening to celebrate the power of mentorship.
GrapeJuice – Vikaash Prasad Photography
GrapeJuice Wine Auction
Where: Broadcasted live online from Weissach (1757 West 2nd, Vancouver) When: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm Tickets: Available online now for $30, or choose a charcuterie and wine package from $135 to enjoy during the virtual event
Guests will enjoy a virtual tasting with Mission Hill Family Estates Lead Sommelier and Select Fine Wine Ambassador followed by a short program with founding partners Sarah and Cameron McNeil and Cheryl McNak with live entertainment by Mark Woodyard.
Connection matters now more than ever. With social distancing practices enforcing closure of schools and temporary holds of in person meet ups for Big Sisters matches, isolation is a real risk on the mental health of the already at-risk youth Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland serves.
“Trauma falls hardest on our youth” said Hanne Madsen, Executive Director for Big Sisters BCLM. “This pandemic will have a long lasting impact on their mental, physical and economic health. The connection our youth have with their Big Sister is more important now than ever before to mitigate the risk factors and help them navigate this new normal. With over 135 girls on our waitlist, we are striving to ensure that we can help all of them reach their potential. GrapeJuice has been a huge part of making our programs possible over the years and while we have had to adjust its format we still are hoping to celebrate it’s million dollar year this year.”
Megaphone Magazine has launched its 10th annual special literary edition — Voices of the Street— showcasing the literary talents of marginalized writers in Vancouver and Victoria.
Voices of the Street Available Now
Megaphone is a non-profit organization that publishes an award-winning monthly magazine sold by 175 low-income vendors in Vancouver and Victoria. Vendors buy each magazine for 75 cents and sell it for $2, keeping the profit. By selling Megaphone, people experiencing poverty, homelessness or health challenges can earn income through meaningful, dignified work.
Megaphone also publishes an annual literary anthology, Voices of the Street. Many of the writers whose work is featured in the book are introduced to writing in Megaphone’s various writing workshops, including weekly sessions at Onsite, a residential treatment program run by the Portland Hotel Society.
“Decide to survive. Be willing to thrive. Let our beauty & vision keep us Alive. It is a paradox that the weakest among us must work harder to overcome. But there are so many examples of ones who have gone before, that we can’t hide our eyes. When all of us grow, then diversity can thrive.” — James Witwicki
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Megaphone has temporarily ceased street sales of its publications in order to protect its customers and vendors. As a result, for the time being, Megaphone is releasing its 10th edition of Voices of the Street online in digital format.
The theme of the 2020 Voices of the Street is “Envision” with 36 literary works focusing on the sense of sight and everything associated with that, including clarity, blindness, reflections and hindsight.
“Voices of the Street, while providing a platform for those least likely to be heard — people striving to survive in the midst of poverty, homelessness, and physical and mental illness — also unearths startling talents,” says Megaphone managing editor Paula Carlson.
Megaphone supporters can now purchase this special literary anthology online, along with a copy of the latest Megaphone magazine, for $12. Readers can direct the funds to their usual vendor or Megaphone will distribute the income among all its active vendors.
Since shifting its sales model online, Megaphone has put more than $12,000 into the pockets of its team of vendors, helping them purchase essentials such as healthy groceries and COVID-19 cleaning supplies.
“In any other year, the launch of Voices would be an opportunity to gather with our supporters, celebrate the 36 unique contributions, and hear writers speak life into their poetry,” says Julia Aoki, executive director of Megaphone. “We may have shut down street sales and events for the time being, but this beautiful compilation is still available, and 100% of proceeds will be distributed to vendors to create a bridge to better times.”
Customers can purchase the special edition as well as Megaphone magazine online here now. Supporters are also encouraged to donate to Megaphone’s emergency fund to help sustain the organization’s essential operations such as magazine production and daily vendor support.
After closing in March due to COVID-19, Uno Gelato began offering free delivery of their farm-to-cone gelato and vegan sorbetto. To celebrate their three main locations re-opening in Kitsilano, False Creek and at the Vancouver Convention Centre, I am pleased to offer up a four pint delivery of Uno Gelato to a lucky Miss604 reader!
Savour Uno Gelato
Now available are scoops in a cone or cup, or pints of freshly made farm-to-cone gelato and sorbetto. The flagship Kitsilano shop is also offering Italian inspired hot beverages such as affogato (one scoop of gelato and one-shot of espresso). As of May 22nd, the new daily hours are: Kitsilano & Vancouver Convention Centre 1:00pm to 9:00pm and at False Creek 9:00am to 9:00pm.
Flavour Offerings
Gelato: Lavazza Espresso Mint Chocolate Chip New Fashioned Chocolate Salted Caramel Tahitian Vanilla
Vegan Sorbetto: Mango Tango Midnight Chocolate Passion Fruit Yuzu Lemon
Delivery Schedule
The products are made fresh in small batches, thus orders placed by end of day Monday will be delivered that same week. Orders made on Tuesdays or afterwards will be delivered the following week. Delivery days:
Wednesday – Richmond, Vancouver
Thursday – Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster, Surrey
Friday – Coquitlam, North Shore, Port Moody
For more information, follow Uno Gelato on Facebook.
Enter to Win
I am giving away a four pint delivery to one lucky reader (value $50). Will they pick Mango Tango, Midnight Chocolate, Passion Fruit and Salted Caramel? Or how about Lavazza Espresso and Yuzu Lemon? Or maybe just 4 pints of Tahitian Vanilla? The winner will get to pick! Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a 4 pint delivery from @unogelatoyvr http://ow.ly/3HiU30qIUtl” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
The winner must be in the available delivery area (Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Shore or Port Moody).
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Saturday, May 30, 2020. UDPATE The winner is Sara C.!
