Over 400 guests and nearly 100 charities walked the red carpet together at the fourth annual Friendraiser at the Conexus Arts Centre on August 13th. The room was shining with the stars of our community and the amazing things that happen when we come together.
The Friendraiser is like a tradeshow for charities where representatives get to meet with the public and other organizations to talk about their great work. It takes place on the stage of the Arts Centre surrounded by lights, balloons, and live music.
"Community impact is rarely a solo performance. It happens when people come together, start conversations, and collaborate with one another. That is the purpose of a Friendraiser and powers why we continue to provide this amazing event. People meet, conversations start, ideas are shared, and connections are made. All these connections turn into real impact in our community."
This year’s Friendraiser brought back orchestral music and live painting. It also featured live Indigenous beading and a photo booth with polaroid pictures. There was the presentation of the VSCN Award and Lasting Legacy Awards, and a delicious variety of appetizers and beverages.
We also introduced a new community activity this year, the Stars of Our Community where guests were able to recognize individuals and charities who make our community a little brighter.
"Being involved in planning all four Friendraisers, it’s been incredible to see how much the event has continued to grow and transpire since that very first year. As we work to make every year better than the last, it’s also special to see that the core remains the same– relationships, connections, and celebrating the heart of our community."
This year was a huge success thanks to the hard work of the student team! Their dedication and professionalism allowed their vision for this event to truly come to life. For some this was their first time planning an event, for others it was easy to walk the red carpet like a professional. Despite having various levels of experience, the team worked together to truly make this event shine.
"It was incredible to see so many charities and community-minded people all in one room. Planning this event gave me a deeper understanding of the non-profit sector and the incredible work being done across our community every day. Seeing so many passionate people come together to connect, share stories and celebrate the work being done was truly inspiring and impactful."
The Community Foundation would also like to put a spotlight on the amazing sponsors for this event. Without their dedication to supporting community, this event would not have been possible. We’d like to thank:
Red Carpet Sponsor
Spotlight Sponsors
VIP Sponsors
We would also like to extend our thanks to everyone else that helped make this event successful. Thank you to local food suppliers, volunteers, and venue staff. We appreciate you being a part of our Freindraiser this year and making it truly special.
"I am finding that each year I am having richer conversations with [the] donor guests, and there seems to be a deeper understanding of the intention behind the event. People appear more open, engaged, and willing to talk about the work happening in our community. I… really enjoy the camaraderie among the nonprofits in the room… Giving is infectious and it encourages others to contribute and become involved. I also feel it is breaking territorial barriers that sometimes exist within the non-profit community. There is enough generosity for all of us to benefit, and working together with like-minded people only makes our community stronger."
At the Friendraiser, guests reflected on their past engagement with the community. Through conversations they learned about the great work our local charities have done. As a Community Foundation, we exist to connect donors and charities. Through this event, many conversations took place, resulting in new relationships. We were thrilled about how many guests and charities walked the red carpet this year.
"The Friendraiser was a wonderful experience that left me feeling energized, inspired and more closely connected to the community. I especially appreciated learning about the Foundation’s granting work and speaking with Victor [Roman Morrow] about the future plans for my charitable funds. The event strengthened my confidence that these funds can create a meaningful and lasting legacy while supporting important needs in our community."