More hungry children will be fed in hopes of breaking the stigma around poverty.
The Mayor's Charity Ball brought glitz and glamour to the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver last month, which saw dignitaries, public officials and local residents support firefighters in their quest for a healthier community.
More than $135,000 was raised from the inaugural event on Nov. 12 as proceeds for the cause came from ticket sales, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and an online auction.
The money is earmarked for Nutritional Snack Programs run by the Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam Firefighters' Charitable Societies, who co-hosted the evening alongside Mayors Richard Stewart and Brad West.
The programs are said provide roughly 7,000 meals a year to School District 43 (SD43) students.
The black-tie event is set to return for next year. A date has yet to be formally announced, as of this publication (Dec. 3).
The new charity ball also marked the return of the popular in-person Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam firefighters gala fundraiser.
The final total also added to the $225,000 collected for snack programs since 2019, including a combined $140,000 from 2020 and 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the gala to go virtual.
For more information, you're encouraged to visit the Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society's website.
The Tri-City News was a sponsor of the inaugural Mayor's Charity Ball.
