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ABBOTSFORD
Members who served on the first Crystal Gala Committee 15 years ago include (from left) Diane Moon, Gerri Charles, Myrtle-Anne Rempel, Sandy Andreasen, Dorothy Dyck and Diane Giesbrecht. Missing from the photo are Tammy Preast, Elly Preast, Caroline Dickinson and Trudy Siborne. Charles and Dyck still serve on the committee.
Crystal Gala has something to celebrate Nears $1 million in donations to Abbotsford Regional Hospital After selling her Champagne and Lace bridal shop of 28 years this summer, Gerri Charles has since dedicated herself to volunteer projects. She says that fundraising for breast cancer through the Crystal Gala Foundation is a perfect fit to satisfy her personal passions, as well as her company’s “corporate heart” strategy. As chair of the foundation, Charles says the committee is constantly dreaming up ideas to make each gala evening better than the last – from new games and entertainment to the menu and decor. “Ultimately, we want our sponsors, donors and guests to have a fun, elegant, memorable evening that makes them feel good about the contribution they are making in the lives of people
they love and care about,” Charles said. “Many of our sponsors have become our friends when they joined the Crystal Gala family in 1999, and take great pride in our achievements.” Last year’s gala raised $130,000, which went towards purchasing a new ultrasound machine that allows 15 additional patient screenings per day. The funds committed to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre (ARHCC) have outfitted the hospital with two digital mammography machines – one used for breast screening within the Crystal Gala Breast Health Unit and one used for more in-depth diagnostic testing in the medical imaging department. This year’s Crystal Gala is held on
Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre (36035 North Parallel Rd,). The theme is “Crystals in Bloom,” and the extravagant evening includes dinner, dancing, entertainment, and live and silent auctions. This year, the foundation is expected to reach $1 million in fundraising for the ARHCC, and at some point in the evening the next fundraising goal will be announced, at which time Charles assures there will be “much merriment and celebration.” The overall success of the evening takes year-round planning and is largely based on the efforts of many volunteers. The “Gala Girls” take turns hosting meetings, networking, finding auction items, and perfecting all the fine details in
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“I also need to interject a little love and appreciation for our husbands, families and businesses that allow us to pursue our passion for Crystal Gala.” The effort the Crystal Gala Foundation continues to put into the community event year after year is being strongly reciprocated by businesses and individuals alike, and Charles attributes that to their mandate to keep the dollars local. “From the beginning, the intent of the Crystal Gala was to make a difference for the people of the community we love and care about, and that has only intensified.”
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preparation for the lavish event. “These are special people, selfless and energetic, and the synergy and passion at our meetings is remarkable,” Charles said.
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