November 10, 2024
On Saturday, November 8, 115 guests turned out to support Dan’s Legacy’s 12th Annual Chefs Charity Dinner fundraiser at the CIVIC Hotel in Surrey, and raised $102,761 for at-risk youth. The funds will go towards Dan’s Legacy’s trauma-informed, no barrier counselling and wrap-around support programs.
Erin Cebula was the evening’s MC, which featured the culinary creations of the hospitality team at the CIVIC Hotel under the direction of Head Chef Adam Meagher as well as chefs Shay Kelly (LACH & KEA Culinary Consultants), Andrew Brazeau-George (Wet’suwet’en Nation | Métis), Alannah Peddie (Frolic & Forage Catering), and Dan’s Legacy’s own Luke Willingdon assisted by students from the charity’s Cook Training & Dan’s Diner social enterprise programs. All dishes prepared at the fundraiser were made using surplus food.
“We were thrilled to have brought our signature fundraiser back to Surrey this year,” says Barbara Coates, Dan’s Legacy’s executive director. “Surrey is well known for its outstanding generosity, and thanks to the community’s support, we can continue to provide critically needed mental health counselling and job-skills training to young people who ask for our help.”
Young people like Santana Houweling, who shared her story of how Dan’s Legacy’s counselling helped her overcome overwhelming anxiety and depression: “They didn’t just see my struggles, they saw me,” said Santana. “They saw a person with worth and potential, even when I couldn’t see it myself. They gave me tools to cope and I began to heal. They reminded me that I wasn’t broken, and I wasn’t alone.”
Last year Dan’s Legacy provided services to approximately 700 at-risk youth in the Lower Mainland, who benefit from the charity’s harm prevention approach to counselling and wrap- around support programs, as well as job training in the culinary industry. All of Dan’s Legacy’s programs are provided free of charge to the youth.
Dan’s Legacy thanks Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon, Minister Jessie Sunner, Parliamentary Secretary Amna Shah, Councillor Gordon Hepner, Program Director Tom Littlewood, and Santana Houweling for speaking at the event.
Grateful thanks also goes to the following sponsors: Double Platinum sponsors The BCGEU and Rathburn Contracting Ltd.; Platinum sponsors Century Group, Van Kam Freightways Ltd., CUPE BC; Media Sponsor Global BC; Social Media Sponsor Miss604; Venue Sponsor the Civic Hotel, Autograph Collection; and event sponsors Surrey Digital Printing, Oppy, Hye Floral Studio, Watkins Sawmills Ltd., Singh Beans, Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, CN Rail, Beem Credit Union, Kelly Farms and Roberts Farm. A full list of sponsors can be found here.
Dan’s Legacy also recognizes and salutes its volunteers for the gift of their valuable time.
If you were unable to attend the gala but would like to support Dan’s Legacy, or if you know someone who is asking for help, please visit www.danslegacy.com to make a donation or Get Help.
Photo Credit to volunteer Jayden Lee.
-30-
About Dan’s Legacy
Dan’s Legacy provides no-barrier therapeutic counselling and wrap-around programs to youth dealing with mental health and addictions issues. We go directly to the youth wherever they are, we try to maintain a no-wait list and all of our services are free. Last year Dan’s Legacy helped over 800 youth meet their educational, employment and recovery goals.
Media Contact
Barbara Coates, Executive Director
604-329-9186