The largesse of the South Asian community was at display at the sixth annual A Night of Miracles gala that donated $3 million towards BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Special Procedures Suites.
BC Children's Hospital Foundation’s (BCCHF) annual A Night of Miracles gala was as an extraordinary display of the generosity of the South Asian community depicting their solidarity for social causes. The sixth annual event held at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel on November 8th, 2014, was an elegant affair attended by 400 guests that successfully raised $3 million for the construction of ANOM’s Special Procedures Suites in the new BC Children's Hospital. As BC's only full-service, paediatric acute care hospital, it serves one million children living in BC and the Yukon. Children that are seriously ill or are suffering from grave injuries are referred to BC Children's Hospital (BCH) where in some cases they are treated at the facility itself, while in other cases after consultation from a specialist children are administered in their community facility.
The miraculous evening, bringing together such largesse ranging from $10,000 to $1 million will be recognized in the Teck Acute Care Centre of BCH where the main collection of operating and procedure rooms will be called the ANOM Special Procedures Suites. While announcing the success of the sixth annual edition of the gala, Teri Nicholas, President & CEO of BCCHF, event Chair, Robin Dhir, and Vice-Chair, Vik Khanna expressed their gratitude and congratulated the community on achieveing this milestone.
Here are some of the many individuals that contributed towards the realization of this dream:
Arran and Ratana Stephens: (Donated $1 million)Founders of Nature's Path Foods, Arran and Ratana Stephens have given the BC kids a million reasons to smile by helping the community reach their $3 million target. In 2013, the Stephens’ had declared a surprise $1 million challenge gift to inspire their friends, community and supporters to come forward and participate at the event. “For every dollar donated to A Night of Miracles, Arran and Ratana made a gift of equal amount up to $1 million. On November 8, 2014, the Stephens’ Challenge was completed and A Night of Miracles completed its $3-million pledge,” shares the ANOM website. “This is a great cause to support. You never lose when you give, especially when you give with a warm hand," Arran tells ANOM.
The humble couple that has been active in its philanthropic efforts urges others to participate towards the beautiful cause through a video prepared by the ANOM team. Ratana says, “We are not going to be in this world forever. If we’re able to help in anyway– any organization, our society, a person or a child – we should. We should definitely try. Those who try do not fail, and we do not succeed until we try. So please do what you can. And give whatever you can to support BC Children’s Hospital.”
Tony Singh
Donated $50,000
In 1994, Fruiticana began as a small produce store in Surrey. Today after a journey of more than two decades, the grocery store has taken an exponential leap with a growing empire across BC and Alberta. Founder and President of Fruiticana, Tony Singh, has taken the mission of ANOM with much ardor and reflects back saying “It is extremely gratifying and satisfying to learn that the South Asian community successfully raised $3 million for BCCHF. I am glad that with our efforts we have been able to provide a ray of hope for the young lives that are the future of the global society. The ANOM evening was excellent and it brought together individuals from all walks of life that all shared a common goal- donate whatever we can and maximize donations towards the BCCHF. “
Daljit and Harinder Thind
Founder and CEO of Thind Properties, Daljit and his wife Harinder, expressed their solidarity for the cause that ANOM voiced at the 6th annual gala. "It was an honour for me to attend such an elegant gala and be in the company of such generous individuals. ANOM is the perfect platform for South Asians to come forward and reflect their support for a cause that benefits the children of BC. Together as residents of BC, it is our duty to make life a better experience for everyone here and when it come to children, I would say that duty becomes even more perennial. I believe the South Asian community has been an active participant in endeavours such as ANOM that serve the noble purpose of enlightening the lives of others. It traces back to our culture and tradition where sharing plays a significant part in the overall growth of society.”
Robin Dhir
(Donated $50,000)
For the past many years, Dhir has been taking the cause (ANOM) forward within the community with commendable fervour. As the Event Founding Chair, Dhir has actively propagated the relevance and urgency for the cause that ANOM supports. While speaking to us about the night Dhir said, “The individuals who supported A Night of Miracles included people who had supported the hospital for years, as well as a great number of people who were new to the cause. I have deep respect for all of these donors and sponsors, because each of them came to understand how important it is that we all step up to support children, and that we can do this by ensuring they have access to the best medical care possible, whether it’s in terms of highly skilled doctors and nurses, or the most modern operating facilities, such as operating rooms. A Night of Miracles has become very near and dear to my family and we felt it was only fitting to also make a Major Gift pledge of $50K to encourage others to do so as well.”
Paul & Ruby Arora
Donation Cap- $50,000- $99,000
The owners of Gagan Foods, Paul and Ruby Arora have shared close ties with the BC Children’s Hospital since they moved to Vancouver in 1991. The couple, who donated to BCCHF along with their family, say that one should always feel the responsibility to invest in the well-being of the children who are the future of our society. “As a recognizable member in the South Asian community of Vancouver, we felt compelled to donate to this cause because we knew firsthand of the life changing services that the BCCHF provides to thousands of families each year. Along with the obvious funds needed by the hospital to carry out these services, we felt our efforts also brought the necessary awareness to other members of our community and urged them to follow suit and support this worthy cause.”
Jonathan and Bina Gill
Donated $100,000+
After emigrating from the United Kingdom in the early 1980s, the Gills pursued their passion of opening an environmentally conscious enterprise, Odyssey International Exports. Second-hand clothing is recycled and exported to countries in Africa, Asia and South America with the motive of utilizing resources to the best possible extent. “We were eager and humbled to be associated with a cause such as ANOM. The donation to BC Children’s hospital allows us to assist the things that are most important in our lives, our children. Providing hope and cures to these young lives is the reason we donate,” explains the couple and further adds,” Donating to organizations such as BC Children’s hospital allows you to make a difference in multiple people’s lives. No matter the size of the donation, it all makes a difference.”
Looking back at the past successful galas, the ANOM team today takes pride in the hard work and generosity that South Asians have reflected since its inception. In its initial years, the gala contributed gifts towards the hospital’s equipment but for the past few years, the team has been campaigning for funds for the Special Procedures Suites and their efforts have come to fruition with the achievement of their $3 million pledge. With its efforts the community has displayed its solidarity for causes that uplift the society as a whole and have instilled a sense pride, not only amongst South Asians but within the Canadian parameters. Needless to say, the South Asian community has created an integral picture of itself in the Canadian society, and it will only get bigger and better.
