Through volunteerism, gala unites community
by Vera Kanigan

Today more than ever before, we hear the term “community”. Actually, the word has been in the English language since the 14th century and can refer to a range of senses and references. To mention only a few, community can refer to: the people of a district, community of people with special or ethnic interests or relationships – sharing of common goals, or even local groupings passed on by proximity. More recently, since the 1990s, we have heard of “virtual communities”-“social connections that emerge from the Internet when people carry on public discussions to form webs of personal relationships.” (Howard Rheingold)

The Gala to what I am referring was a gathering of, mainly women, who were celebrating the super woman in each of us – their contribution to society, to each other, to their work, to their relationships as well as their communities. The SuperWomen and Friends Red Carpet Gala Fundraiser, which raised funds for the Women In Leadership Foundation’s mentorship program brought together a diverse group of volunteers from different backgrounds. There were thirty-six in all, ages 17 – 72 from numerous cities across the Lower Mainland. The Foundation, which was formed in 2001, has a head office in Vancouver. It is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing women in leadership roles. WIL’s web-site reads that it “has played a pivotal role in helping thousands of women across Canada surge to success”. Our daughter, Maya is the President and founder, along with Dave Mossman, Program Director and “love of her life”, and as supportive parents, Walter and I packed our “gala” attire, and flew to Vancouver, November the 20th for an absolutely inspirational event at the Four Seasons Hotel.

The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver ably holds a multitude of conferences, seminars and fundraisers. As we entered the lobby, we noticed the numerous decorated Christmas trees, dressed for the Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees fundraiser. The variety of trees was so vast, that there even was one that was decorated with recycled pop cans. The group of volunteers involved with planning and organizing the Gala had less than four hours to set up at their designated space. However, by 6:00 p.m., the tables were set in the ballroom and by the time people started arriving, the tables with the silent and live auction items were beautifully decorated and displayed by the energetic volunteers. Each knew exactly what was required. As people mingled, they checked out the auction items that included Jewelry by Tiffany and Co., boat cruises, artwork, gift baskets, Canucks game tickets, Kanigan Wood Design boxes, holiday packages, trips to Bali, Indonesia, as well as many, many other generously donated items. While mingling in the foyer, bidding on the many silent auction items, we sipped on refreshments and nibbled on appetizers, such as cubes of watermelon and balls of goat cheese, held together by toothpicks, while meeting many of Maya and Dave’s team, including her co-chairs, Cindy Willick and Lucille Wang. Finally, we took our places at the beautifully decorated round tables, got acquainted and savored the delicious three course meal, while enjoying the inspirational, speakers, music, fashion show and live auction.

During dinner, under the capable ability of MC, Rena Heer, – Weathercaster, CTV News, the program ran smoothly. Maya’s welcoming words said: “This event honors and celebrates the SuperWoman in all of us. Whatever role(s) you choose to have; mentor, leader entrepreneur, trail blazer, associate, partner, daughter, sister or mother, this evening is a celebration of the SuperWoman in you making a difference.” What impressed us, as parents was the warmth of the many people that we met, – all who enjoyed being involved with the fundraiser, all that appreciated the value of being in this community of motivation and support, all that were inspired and enjoyed working with Maya and her team. A young woman, Linda, who sat next to me during dinner, commented that from her experience of working with young people, all had a better foundation, when they had been raised by a loving family, as well as a supportive community.

Two auctioneers, called the Chick Chanters – April Brown and Lori Richardson, professional fundraising auctioneers teamed up to support this great women’s event, encouraging the generosity of all those present at the Gala. Thanks to the team of volunteers, that canvassed the businesses of Vancouver, the choices were numerous. After the live auction, I checked my bids and discovered that others had outbid me. Nonetheless, because of the feeling of generosity, many chose to donate to the worthy cause of helping women improve their lives.

After the JC Studio fashion show and the performance of Alexz Johnson & Stephen Spender, everyone collected their beautifully wrapped gifts, assembled their auction items and expressed their gratitude for such a wonderful evening to Maya, Dave and their team of volunteers.

The dinner provided by the expert chefs at Four Seasons Restaurant – appetizers, salad, variety dinner buns, pasta for vegetarians and ginger pudding. All of the courses were delicious and enjoyed by everyone.

However, for the recipes in this issue, we’ve chosen a soup recipe from our Hospitality Cook Book, from the section on Community Cooking, since we’re talking about community. The quiche recipe is one that my niece, Valerie McNeil sent a while ago that our family loves, and a pie crust recipe from one of Maya & Dave’s friends.

CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP – Page 45

14 qt water
2 qt potatoes, halved
2 ½ c carrots, finely grated
3 c celery, finely chopped
4 c onions, finely chopped
2 ½ lb fresh mushrooms, finely chopped
1 ½ c rice
¾ alphabets (pasta)
1 ¼ flour (browned on cookie sheet in oven) and sifted
1 qt cream (or less)
¾ lb butter (or less)
garlic (optional)
Lawry’s seasoning salt and black pepper to taste

Add water to 20 qt canner and boil
Add halved potatoes, rice, 1 c carrots, 1 c celery, 1/8 lb butter, 2 c cream and salt to taste
In frying pan sauté onions (reserving ½ c for mashed potatoes), mushrooms, remaining carrots and celery. Do not brown
Add Lawry’s seasoning salt and black pepper to taste
When mixture is ready add to canner
When halved potatoes are tender, remove from pot and mash, adding ¼ lb butter, ½ raw onions, toasted flour, seasonings, black pepper and 2 c cream
Add alphabets to pot
Return mashed potato mixture to canner and bring to boil
Serve hot

VALERIE’S QUICHE

3 to 5 eggs (I use 4 eggs)
½ c biscuit mix
¼ c melted butter
1 c milk
¼ tsp salt and a dash of pepper
1 c shredded cheddar or other cheese
2 green onions, chopped

Add any or all of the following: About ½ to 1 cup of cooked peas, carrots, broccoli, Swiss chard, spinach, mushrooms, etc. Beat eggs before adding other ingredients. Pour into a greased pie plate. Bake at 375 º for ½ to ¾ hour (or longer) until the center is set. I baked the quiche for ¾ hour.

That evening, Maya introduced us to her and Dave’s friends, Joanne and Gulraj Thauli. Joanne asked me if Maya had told us about their “Apple Pie Party”. She said that each year, Gulraj and her invite people over to enjoy the delicious pies, which they make together. Following Joanne’s flaky crust pastry with a “secret ingredient”:

FLAKY PASTRY

1 lb. Crisco
5 c. pastry flour
1 tbsp salt
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
1 egg
7-up, Dry Ginger Ale or Club soda

Chop shortening into flour and salt until it’s an oatmeal like texture and make a ‘well’ in the centre. Place soda, vinegar, brown sugar and egg in a 1 cup measure. Mix and then fill to 1 cup level with 7 up. Add liquid to flour mixture and pour in ‘well’. Mix. Add more pop if/as required. Can be chilled/frozen

Makes: 2 complete pie shells and covers

Later that evening, Maya told us: “This is the first time since I’ve moved away from the Kootenays that I have experienced the same sense of community that I felt while growing up’ A passage from one of our Doukhobor psalms came to mind: “What is a community?” The reply in the psalm states that: “A community is a meeting place of true Christians, who believe in Jesus Christ and fulfill the law of God.” Working together for a common good may be the wonderful “meeting place” and sense of community. From this event, there was a lot that I learned about community, but the main message that stays with me, is that the positive flow of energy, love and support was visible, emerging in everyone that were so connected through their effort, through their generosity, through their hope.

Happy New Year everyone, be a volunteer and enjoy our community, Vera Kanigan!!

Filed under: WIL Events