The final tally of funds raised by Sources Foundation’s latest gala will remain a mystery for a few weeks to come, but organizers did not hesitate to divulge the fact that a preliminary total leaves them with no doubt the sold-out event was a success.
In a news release issued Monday (Nov. 6), officials announced that more than $400,000 was raised at the Mystery on the Nile affair, held Saturday (Nov. 4) at Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club.
“We are grateful for all those who donated their time and money to support such an important fundraiser,” gala co-chair Paul Cope said in the release.
“The social needs of this community are critical and as such, we set our sights to raise $400,000. Through the generosity of this incredible community… we succeeded in reaching our goal.”
The South Surrey venue was transformed into an “ancient Egyptian-style spectacle” for the gala – in its 27th year – which featured a whodunit mystery dinner, live auction and more to raise funds for Sources’ community living, food bank and DiscoverY youth counselling programs.
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The live auction alone raised more than $100,000.
Proceeds from the soirée will enable Sources “to focus on some of the areas that need the greatest attention,” said Nicolas Verrier, a representative for gala co-sponsor Scotiabank.
Sources operates five staffed homes for adults with developmental disabilities and autism, but officials say one is a priority for space and accessibility upgrades.
Planned work aims to create a home where all of the residents can comfortably age in place.
“We want to give our residents exactly what everyone has, despite their disabilities and how their needs may change,” Sources Foundation executive director Christine Conlin said ahead of the gala.
“They deserve to feel comfortable, be able to access their home and live as independently as possible.”
Sources food banks, meanwhile, have logged nearly 77,000 visits in the past year; an increase of more than 50 per cent from 2021-2022.
In an interview with Peace Arch News earlier this year, now-retired food bank manager Jaye Murray said she had “never seen it this busy in all my years.”
Murray started working at the food bank in the late 1990s.
Last year’s gala raised $420,000 for Sources’ women’s programs, which helped launch a new anti-violence women’s program.
There is still time to boost this year’s gala proceeds. Tickets to a 50/50 draw will remain on sale through to 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, with the winning ticket to be drawn at noon on Nov. 30. Officials say the jackpot could grow up to $200,000, with half going to the winner.
As of Tuesday morning (Nov. 7), the jackpot was $8,250. Visit sourcesfoundation.ca for more information.
According to information online, a 70-item silent auction – with bidding that continued through till noon Monday – raised just shy of $19,500.