Advertisement 1

Fred Lee's Social Network: Praising DTES unsung heroes, party planners

Article content

Meaningful Mission

Celebrating 25 years of investing in those who make their homes in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Mission Possible welcomed more than 300 guests to their ninth annual dinner and auction, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

Founded 25 years ago by Rev. Liz Wall, the humanitarian agency has walked alongside people challenged by homelessness and poverty providing them with opportunities to achieve a renewed sense of dignity and purpose through meaningful work.

Article content

Working with businesses and other organizations, the registered charity based in the gritty neighbourhood strives to create jobs that lead to lasting change, and support those who face barriers to employment.

Mission Possible currently runs two social enterprises, MP Maintenance and MP Neighbours, employing an average of 50 individuals per year in transitional jobs, offering them a paycheque and the opportunity to discover their fullest potential.

Mission Possible CEO Mathew Smedley, along with committee members Brittany Farquhar, Shannon Hoolsema, Helen Jackson, Angela Kirkham, Rachel Nelson, Jennifer Ottevangers and Sarah Swanson fronted the recent holiday hootenanny welcoming supporters who came out to help those burdened with the hardships of living in one of the country’s poorest and toughest communities.

Article content
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

Together, attendees helped raise $176,000 to support the firm’s ongoing efforts. A roaring 20s themed-affair, the ballroom was transformed into a stunning speakeasy where revellers imbibed and celebrated the organization’s many achievements.

Radio personalities Nat Hunter and Drew Savage were the masters of ceremonies. The sparkling night also saw attendees raise a glass to VioletBittern, MikeDivine, KelseyDuncan and ChrisReed, recipients of Mission Possible’s Comeback Awards for their courage, determination and faith in overcoming great challenges and adversity in their life.

CEO Mathew Smedley, centre, welcomed supporters including Town Hall Brand’s Andrew von Rosen and Leeann Froese to Mission Possible’s 25th anniversary celebrations at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
CEO Mathew Smedley, centre, welcomed supporters including Town Hall Brand’s Andrew von Rosen and Leeann Froese to Mission Possible’s 25th anniversary celebrations at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore and his wife Erin were among the notables in attendance at the ninth annual dinner and auction.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore and his wife Erin were among the notables in attendance at the ninth annual dinner and auction.
Comeback Award recipients Mike Divine, Violet Bittern, Chris Reed and Kelsey Duncan were celebrated for their courage and determination overcoming tremendous challenges and their efforts to help others.
Comeback Award recipients Mike Divine, Violet Bittern, Chris Reed and Kelsey Duncan were celebrated for their courage and determination overcoming tremendous challenges and their efforts to help others.
Partygoers Gary Lesueur and Pam Vidalin got into the roaring 20s themed-affair, joining hundreds at the speakeasy to mark Mission Possible’s 25 years of helping people challenged by homelessness and poverty.
Partygoers Gary Lesueur and Pam Vidalin got into the roaring 20s themed-affair, joining hundreds at the speakeasy to mark Mission Possible’s 25 years of helping people challenged by homelessness and poverty.
Vancity’s Ryan McKinley and Telus’s Ryan Bazeley raised a glass to Mission Possible’s humanitarian efforts in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The dinner and auction raised $176,000 for the registered charity.
Vancity’s Ryan McKinley and Telus’s Ryan Bazeley raised a glass to Mission Possible’s humanitarian efforts in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The dinner and auction raised $176,000 for the registered charity.
Masters of ceremonies Nat Hunter and Drew Savage flanked by 2015 Mission Possible Comeback Award winner Loretta John, who has been working at Mission Possible’s Neighbours watch program for the past five years.
Masters of ceremonies Nat Hunter and Drew Savage flanked by 2015 Mission Possible Comeback Award winner Loretta John, who has been working at Mission Possible’s Neighbours watch program for the past five years.

Event-Full Party

Behind the boldface names of gala chairs — those who generally receive public praise for a successful affair — is an army of unsung heroes who helped execute the magical event.

Advertisement 4
Story continues below
Article content

As most chairs will attest, no successful gala, conference or party would be possible without the supporting cast of event planners, technicians, sound people, suppliers, caterers and entertainers — not to mention a legion of volunteers — who seamlessly, effortlessly and quietly behind the scenes work together to make it happen.

Taking a break from the manic fall schedule of socials and conferences, industry insiders came together to celebrate their own as well, support those looking into getting into the event planning and hospitality sector.

Fronted by the local chapters of Meeting Professionals International, Professional Convention Management Association and the International Live Events Association, party hosts Heather Sharpe, Alex Bickers, and Robert Porter welcomed some 400 members and friends who convened for the second staging of the now annual year-end party.

Advertisement 5
Story continues below
Article content

The visually stunning Through the Wardrobe-themed party held at Parq Vancouver — the city’s newest event and gala destination — was a fantastical affair, featuring mystical beasts, ice queens, and decked out attendees partying down at the holiday schmoozer and elbow-rubber.

Between exchanges of air kisses and business cards, attendees enjoyed delicious offerings from Parq’s culinary brigade while contributing to scholarships to support the next generation of event planners and hospitality professionals.

Entertainers Tracey Bell and Chelsea Brennan were part of a fantastical cast that greeted industry insiders at the second annual holiday hootenanny for event professionals.
Entertainers Tracey Bell and Chelsea Brennan were part of a fantastical cast that greeted industry insiders at the second annual holiday hootenanny for event professionals.
LeLe Chan of Debut Event Design and Shannon Boudreau of Lazy Gourmet Catering were on hand to celebrate their own as well, support those looking into getting into the event planning and hospitality sector.
LeLe Chan of Debut Event Design and Shannon Boudreau of Lazy Gourmet Catering were on hand to celebrate their own as well, support those looking into getting into the event planning and hospitality sector.
Event hosts Alex Bickers, SW Audio Visuals and Showtime Events, and Robert Porter of Elizabeth Stanley Event Design, welcomed attendees to the Through the Wardrobe-themed party, staged at Parq Vancouver.
Event hosts Alex Bickers, SW Audio Visuals and Showtime Events, and Robert Porter of Elizabeth Stanley Event Design, welcomed attendees to the Through the Wardrobe-themed party, staged at Parq Vancouver.
The Vancouver Aquarium’s events team Kelly Clarke and T.C. Brotherson execute the marine science centre’s signature fundraising soirees including Night at the Aquarium, Toast to the Coast and Chowder Chowdown.
The Vancouver Aquarium’s events team Kelly Clarke and T.C. Brotherson execute the marine science centre’s signature fundraising soirees including Night at the Aquarium, Toast to the Coast and Chowder Chowdown.
Tigh-Na-Mara Resort and Conference Centre’s Suzanne Hedges, Nicola Wealth marketing and event manager Lanie Collins and International Live Events Association director Jennifer Harper Uncao enjoyed an evening of camaraderie at the holiday mixer.
Tigh-Na-Mara Resort and Conference Centre’s Suzanne Hedges, Nicola Wealth marketing and event manager Lanie Collins and International Live Events Association director Jennifer Harper Uncao enjoyed an evening of camaraderie at the holiday mixer.
FrischkornMediaCo Audio Visual (FMAV) team of Dylan Waite, Jon Godbout and Adelio Trinidad took in the fantastical night of schmoozing and beastly delights.
FrischkornMediaCo Audio Visual (FMAV) team of Dylan Waite, Jon Godbout and Adelio Trinidad took in the fantastical night of schmoozing and beastly delights.
Alumni UBC event planners Amrita Gill and Mariella Koc-Spadaro partied at Parq Vancouver with fellow events, conference and hospitality professionals.
Alumni UBC event planners Amrita Gill and Mariella Koc-Spadaro partied at Parq Vancouver with fellow events, conference and hospitality professionals.

CLICK HERE to report a typo.

Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers