A pair of one-carat diamond earrings will be up for grabs — along with four "giving trees" and other goodies — at the 24th annual Treasures of Christmas gala in Coquitlam.
The biggest fundraiser of the year for the Crossroads Hospice Society, the event on Nov. 25, held at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, will see the jewellery raffled off for the charity. The earrings, valued at $5,380, were donated by Davidson Designs for the gala.
Special events co-ordinator Shelly Pennington told The Tri-City News today (Thursday) the name of the raffle winner will be revealed at the end of the live auction and "the winner has to be present to collect them," she said, adding, "We are very pleased to have such wonderful support for our gala and our hospice operations."
The non-profit organization hopes to raise at least $100,000 at the event, which — as in years past — will also see four "giving trees" on the block, with Crossroads receiving the proceeds, the winner getting a tax receipt and groups having the decorated trees:
• Youth Giving Tree, designed by Coquitlam Florist and sponsored by Flavelle OceanFront Development, will be presented to Covenant House Vancouver;
• Seniors Giving Tree, designed by Angela and Debbie Steidel and sponsored by Drysdale Bacon McStravick, will go to Cartier House care home in Coquitlam;
• Pet Rescue Tree, designed by Lana and Lisa Leslie and sponsored by Rose Miller, will be delivered to SAINTS Rescue of Mission;
• and Family Giving Tree, designed by Julia Kusmirek and sponsored by the Roberts family, will be donated to an anonymous family in need, as referred by Tri-Cities Transitions.
Besides the raffle and auctions, guests will also hear from longtime hospice nurse Dora Grieve, who will read a letter from a family that lost a loved one at the Inlet Centre facility. And musical acts Ken Abel and Dr. Strangelove will open up the dance floor.
Sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, the gala will be emceed by Global News Morning's Kaitlyn Herbst and Johnny Defazio of Hard Rock Casino Vancouver.
• Tickets for Treasures of Christmas on Saturday, Nov. 25 are $125 and include a buffet dinner. Call 604-945-0606 or email info@crossroadshospice.org.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
