The Whistler Community Foundation (WCF) is celebrating 25 years of giving with an inaugural gala.
Held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Nov. 29 and stylishly titled the Glow Gala, the event includes a cocktail reception and auction preview before dinner and an after party.
The gala is intended to grow WCF's endowment funds, which go towards Pemberton and Whistler charities.
Clare Mozes, CEO for the WCF, said the concept started sparkling last year as they started considering how to mark 25 years of community work.
“It was really just an opportunity to look in reverse of 25 years, and think about some of the milestones that we've hit,” she said.
In 25 years, the WCF has granted $5 million to local groups. The number is representative of countless stories of organizations doing important work in the area.
“What that really means is that local kids have scholarships. Charities have operational funding to do the important work they're doing. Environmental charities are supported to run their operations,” Mozes said.
The gala will help grow the endowment funds, with a goal of $10 million by 2026. Donations are invested and the interest is granted out each year to local community groups.
The fund currently has about $8 million.
“The community has great need and people that are in the community are really aware of that. We’re no different than any other small town of 14,000 people,” Mozes said, referencing food security, mental health and addictions as just a few of the challenges residents face.
“There's lots going on. We want to support people," she said. "Growing that endowment fund means growing our granting capability."
While the theme is a popular choice this year, with the Whistler Excellence Awards also going neon, the gala’s name inspiration came from a feeling.
“We’re thinking about the warm and fuzzy of Whistler, and glow is inspiring and warm,” Mozes said.
It’s an invitation to community members who already know the foundation and for new ones to get to know the work it does.
The online silent auction bidding starts Nov. 17, which allows people who can’t attend to support fundraising efforts.
Prizes run the gamut from lavish trips to gift cards to local companies. Some useful auction items anyone could need include window washing, jackets and grocery store gift cards.
“The timing is really great, it’s right before Christmas, so people can use it as an opportunity to get a gift card for Whistler Bungee. Some of the bigger prizes might take you out of Whistler. A nice mix is happening,” Mozes said.
Organizers are still accepting auction items before the auction starts, and more details about the event can be found on WCF’s website.
