A Tri-Cities non-profit is one week away from hosting its annual in-person formal fundraiser — the first one in two years since the COVID-19 pandemic took effect.
SHARE Family and Community Services is celebrating its 50th year as an organization with its Imagine Goes Golden gala set for April 2 at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver.
"I think what we’ve seen over the course of the pandemic is that social interaction is so important," said SHARE CEO Claire MacLean in an earlier interview with the Tri-City News.
"We’ve seen such mental health challenges, and we need to reconnect."
But for those that can't attend the gathering in person, interested donors can potentially contribute to SHARE's cause through the gala's online raffle and silent auction that recently launched for the public.
Last year, SHARE's virtual ReImagine event raised roughly $122,000.
The money is earmarked for services that benefit the region's needs, such as the SHARE Food Bank, help for refugees and newcomers, youth battling addiction, and counselling, speech, physical and occupational therapy for kids.
WHAT'S UP TO BID?
SHARE's list of silent auction items is extensive from smaller prizes to larger bids.
This includes a WestJet package that comes with a round trip to any of the company's marketed destinations as well as a $250 gift card to a Four Seasons hotel.
Others prizes up for grabs are several signed Vancouver Canucks jerseys; Costco Shop gift cards (including one for $200); gift baskets from local breweries and restaurants; a one-hour rental of Rocky Point's ice cream truck; and a zipline tour on southern Vancouver Island.
There are also four raffle items:
- Coquitlam Centre shopping spree, valued at $2,000
- Predator Ridge stay-n-play package, valued at $1,840
- Vancity $250 gift card, plus a $250 food bank donation
- Woody's $350 gift card and taxi voucher
Tickets to attend the gala in person are $150 per person.
For more information, you can visit SHARE Family and Community Services' website.
The Tri-City News is a media sponsor of the Imagine Goes Golden gala.
- with files from Janis Cleugh, Tri-City News
