October 4, 2019 New Westminster, BC – The challenge is on once again at the Dan’s Legacy 6th Annual Chefs’ Charity Dinner on November 2nd in Surrey, as the entire menu will be created using surplus food. Funds raised at the gala go towards Dan’s Legacy’s therapeutic counselling and life-skills programs for youth battling trauma-based mental health and addictions issues.
Chefs TJ Conwi and Bruce Nollert (Ono Vancouver), Chef Shay Kelly (The Caterer), Chef Warren Chow (Juniper Kitchen & Bar) and Pastry Chef Alannah Peddie (Frolic & Forage) will put their culinary skills to the test, each creating a signature dish for the event using recovered food donated by local growers and grocery chains.
“Each year we host our gala fundraiser in one of the communities we serve,” says Dan’s Legacy’s executive director Barbara Coates. “We’ve grown our partnerships with Surrey organizations in the past year, and about 40% of our clients are from Surrey. The Chefs’ Dinner is one of the ways we celebrate our clients’ outstanding achievements, and thank the community for its support.”
Dan’s Legacy’s therapists go to the youth wherever they are, there is no wait list and the counselling services are free for those who need financial help. In Surrey, the organization has partnered with Surrey School District’s Foundations School, the Cwenengitel Aboriginal Society, the RCMP CSFSEU integrated gang task force, Fraser Health Authority’s youth outreach teams, and takes immediate referrals from the medical teams at Surrey Memorial Hospital’s emergency department for youth admitted due to self-harm or overdose.
Dan’s Legacy has a 50% success rate in helping youth to stabilize in four months (16 one-on-one counselling sessions), and begin working towards their education, employment, safe housing and recovery goals.
The Chefs’ Charity Dinner fundraiser takes place Saturday, November 2nd from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. in the Atrium of Surrey City Hall, with CBC Radio host Angela Sterritt returning to emcee the festivities. Tickets are $150 each and event sponsorships are still available – contact Barbara Coates at [email protected] for more information.
Dan’s Legacy thanks CN Rail, Global BC, Daily Hive, Miss604, Experience Delta, Rick’s Heart Foundation, Wild Ginger Designs, BCGEU, Marcus Lai & Mandy Wu Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities for their sponsorship.
If you or someone you know is asking for help, contact Program Director Tom Littlewood at [email protected]. Full bursaries available for those who need financial help.
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About Dan’s Legacy Dan’s Legacy provides therapeutic counselling and life-skills intervention programs to youth affected by trauma-based mental health and addictions issues. In the past four years Dan’s Legacy has helped over 300 youth meet their educational, housing and life-goals.