Rotary Club of Vancouver Fraserview Annual Fundraiser Nov 5,2012

The Rotary Club of Vancouver Fraserview held it's annual Fundraiser on Saturday Nov 5, 2011 at the fabulous Royal King Palace Banquet Hall at Payal Business center.  A big thanks to partners Parminder Atwal and karan Khatkar.   We enjoyed another successful year as we raised proceeds of $49,000.  We again met our goal to committ $20,000 per year to  the BC Mental Health Foundation.  The monies raised go towards a unique and innovative program called "The Youth, Culture and Mental Health Fund which is headed by Dr Shimi Kang.  Our Club has made a $100,000 commitment over 5 years to this cause.  Young people between the ages of 15-24 report the most suffering from Mental Illness, Substance abuse, and Addiction.  Dr Shimi Kang, who has worked with youth for over 10 years, has observed that all youth, including South Asians are at serious risk.  Culturally specific awareness, education, and intervention at an early stage are key facors in keeping our young people healthy and communities thriving.  The evening was enjoyed by about 250 people in attendance.  Entertainment was started off by Neeraja Aptikar who provided a great selection of Classical Indian songs.  She was followed by Rajdeep Sekhon whose bollywood singing voice was as if we were listening to the original singer of the song's.  Dal Hothi then came on and rocked the night.  The dance floor was packed and many interesting and fun dance moves were witnessed by all.  The evening was MC's by Comedy Central Comedian Sunee Dhaliwal and his co-host John Perrotta.  Both provided a a fun filled evening with timely jokes and a nice flow to the evening.  The Club had a surprise and generous donation made by Bruce Kehler and Scott Frampton whose company Country Lumber presented a check for $5500.00 .  The unexpected donation was accepted by Club President Bob Rai and the two were asked to come to the stage and say a few words.  As well two key member's our club were presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award.  Immediate Past President Manjit Claire and Bruce Kehler were the recipients of this prestigious award which is given by Rotary International.  Congratulation's to both of them for their commitment to Rotary and thier generous contribtions.  The evening's fundraising activities were also well received.  The Silent Auction items completely sold out. The balloon sales to win a trip for two to stay at the Trump Tower Hotel In Manhatten, New York (donated by Kuljit Tmana) also sold out and the Live Auctions items provided some exciting bidding wars.  A slice of pizza that was donated spontaneously by Dave Atwal ended up going for an amazing $700.  Thanks to Dave for starting this creative and spontaneous auction item.  As destiny would have it his partner Dana Purington of DSM Civil Works ended up winning the Trump Tower Hotel Prize.  As well Narinder Kang and Jason Hari won a bid of a extemely generous $3000 for a hockey game package that  included two tickets to a Canucks Game of their choice donated by The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, A limo ride provided by Star Limo(Ranjiv Sandhu) and a tunnel pass to meet the players after the game donated by The Fan Zoo(Bob Athwal).  All in all the evening was enjoyed by everyone.  A big thank you  to everyone for their generous support and congratulations to the Vancouver Fraserview Rotary Club on another well done event.  A special thanks to President-Elect Kuldeep Tatla, Immediate Past President Manjit Claire, Treasurer Mercedes Wong and Secretary Anita Dalakoti for helping to put together the details of the event and making it  wonderful evening.