Reach Child and Youth Development Society, a local non-profit that helps children with special needs, received overwhelming community support at its recent Reach for the Stars gala.
Reach Foundation chair Barbara Wallick's goal for the third annual event was to top last year's fundraising total, a target that was easily reached. This year's gala raised over $100,000, up significantly from the $60,000 in 2014.
This couldn't be more timely as Reach is fundraising for a new child development centre in the heart of Ladner. Along with an open community playground, large meeting space and teaching kitchen, the new centre will allow Reach to serve twice as many children and families, ensuring that children with special needs will not be left behind.
Reach has now reached the halfway mark in its $5 million capital campaign.
Highlights of the April 25 gala included Mayor Lois Jackson's short speech where she appealed to the 250 guests to match her personal donation and pledge $1,000 or whatever amount they could towards the capital campaign.
Global BC morning news co-anchor Steve Darling was a crowd pleaser as MC. A local family shared its son's journey with autism in a moving video.
Kurtis Reid was recognized for winning a bronze medal in the first Commonwealth Para-
Taekwondo Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland. Local musicians Brad Muirhead Friends, Cherlyn Coates and Noah Walker rounded out the evening.
MK Delta Lands Group, Port Metro Vancouver, Ivanhoe Cambridge and Ocean Trailer were presenting sponsors of the Black and White Gala. Century Group was the venue and dinner sponsor.
