Tenth Annual Mayor’s Gala will be Magical!

Nick Wallace will perform at the Tenth Annual
Pelham Mayor's Gala on May 26

It’s gratifying when people support local charities that improve our community; it’s fun when people get dressed up for a great time. The Annual Mayor’s Gala combines both opportunities!

On Saturday, May 26, 2018, community volunteers will host the Tenth Annual Pelham Mayor’s Gala. This year’s magic-themed gala will appear “right before your eyes” at Lookout Point Golf & Country Club at 6:00 PM.

In addition to showcasing great music, exquisite food, and an amazing live auction, the event will feature Nicholas Wallace, Practitioner of the Art of Astonishment and Canadian Champion of Magic! Nick will perform a masterful show full of illusion, mindreading, and magic that will be entertaining, thought provoking, and leave you wondering “How did he do that?”

Yet, these festivities have a purpose.

Since 2009 and thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, and attendees, the Mayor’s Gala has raised more than $250,000! Proceeds have supported more than 35 not-for-profit community organizations and service clubs that play a vital role in shaping and improving the Town of Pelham. With these funds, the Gala has helped youth and seniors, helped provide special education, supported children and women’s centres, and funded arts, cultural, and sporting initiatives.

The Gala also founded the Pelham Community Fund through the Niagara Community Foundation. Donations toward the fund’s principle may be given from not only the Mayor’s Gala, but also from anyone in the community. (As you update your estate plan, for instance, you may want to donate to the Pelham fund – and your gift will assist the community in perpetuity!)

The Mayor's Gala Committee sought applications from local organizations serving residents of the Town for the proceeds from this year’s Gala. Based on the eligibility criteria, four organizations were selected as recipients this year: Pelham Cares (toward the Konnecting Kids program); Pelham Raiders Minor Lacrosse (for extra training and equipment); Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara (for Pelham-peer program in local schools); and Wellington Heights Public School (toward new playground equipment for Grades 4-8).

The community generously supports the Pelham Mayor’s Gala. In fact, we are grateful for the many businesses and individuals that continue to support the charities and the event year-after-year. If you are interested in sponsorship, we do have a few opportunities available via the website links below.

Finally, tickets and tables are “disappearing” quickly! Please call 905-892-2607 ext. 337 to purchase your tickets or see the website for more information.

The sponsorship opportunities, and tickets may be found at www.pelhammayorsgala.ca or via www.pelham.ca (search: Mayor’s Gala).

The magic begins at Lookout Point Country Club at 6:00pm. Please join us!

You may contact Mayor Dave at mayordave@pelham.ca or read past columns at www.pelhammayordave.blogspot.ca.

Donations “Overboard” at Ninth Annual Mayor’s Gala

Because of the generosity of sponsors, donors, and participants, the sold-out Ninth Annual Pelham Mayor’s Gala netted $23,600 for four worthy charities and groups!

(L-R) Pete Behring, Treasurer, Pelham Minor Baseball;
Joe Maggiolo, Board Chair, OneFoundation for NHS;
Anne Kirkpatrick, Program Manager, Niagara Nutrition Partners;
Mayor Dave Augustyn; Brenda Langendoen, Program Director,
Horse Cents for Kids. (Credit: T. Lyons.) 

This past Saturday, community volunteers hosted the “Sail the Seven Seas” themed gala at Lookout Point Golf & Country Club.

The Gala showcased great music (thanks to Notre Dame Jazz Combo), exquisite food (thanks to Chef Abby), an amazing live auction (thanks to generous donors), and time to mingle and catch-up with other “passengers.” And, with Ross Macfarlane as emcee and Kevin Jacobi as the nautical quizmaster, the event was a “swashbuckling” great time!

Yet, these festivities supported the work of four local groups.

Horse Cents for Kids provides access to horses and the therapeutic and life enhancing attributes for children 5-18 years old, regardless of their financial circumstances. With the support of the community, the Gala will donate $5,000 to give children from less fortunate families – but who love horses – the opportunity to attend the summer riding program or the Wild West Summer camp. In addition, Bayshore Group generously offered to donate an additional $2,400 to Horse Cents during the Gala!

Niagara Nutrition Partners oversees more than 200 breakfast, snack, and lunch programs in 150 schools throughout Niagara! Amazingly, they help more than 17,000 students each day to fulfill the simple notion that if students eat right they learn right. Thanks to the Gala, NNP will receive $5,000 to support the recently initiated nutrition program at EL Crossley High School.

OneFoundation for the Niagara Health System raises funds to acquire the equipment and technology needed in all six of the Peninsula’s hospital sites to support a wide range of in-patient and out-patient services. Since doctors and medical technicians use their eight-year-old ultrasound equipment 7-days a week for emergency and in-patient exams, the Foundation identified they urgently need to purchase replacement equipment for the Site in Welland. The Gala will donate $3,500 toward this ultrasound equipment.

Pelham Minor Baseball Association provides organized youth baseball for Pelham residents aged 4-18. Their dedicated volunteers offer the opportunity to learn the love of the game and the importance of teamwork while players take part in healthy competition. Since 2017 registrations unexpectantly increased by 36%, the Gala will donate $7,500 to help replace equipment that has reached end of its useful life and also extra equipment needed to meet increased number of players.

Since 2009 and thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, and attendees, the Pelham Mayor’s Gala has raised more than a $250,000! These proceeds have supported more than 30 charities, not-for-profit community organizations and service clubs that play a vital role in shaping and improving the Town of Pelham.