A few weeks ago the African Children’s Choir celebrated their 25 year anniversary. People around the world gathered together at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver to join in the festivities. Thanks to my friend, David Hurford, I was able to attend the gala. Sir Bob Geldoff was honoured for his avocacy work. The fundraiser profiled how the organization grew from a missions trip to Africa. There Ray Barnett, Founder & President of Music for Life heard a child sing. In a land where thousands of children were starving and in need of food and support, they found joy. Instead of the pictures of poverty and desolation that appeared on most news stations around the globe, the African Children’s Choir founders wanted to show the world how wonderful the children were. Through the tours, the choir has been able to give dignity and respect to the children and raise valuable dollars to build schools and so many wonderful programs.
Many of the choir members alumni were present. Engineers, doctors, fashion designers, and those working with the communities they reside in were there. It was inspiring and uplifting to me to see how much the African Children’s Choir has achieved in 25 years. I watched as the live auction took place. Vicki Gabereau and Barry Scott, an auctioneer from Maynards kept driving the prices of the live auction pieces up. I watched in fascination wishing that I had funds to bid on some of the pieces. Running a charity, one understands how necessary having money to achieve your mission can be. To quote Peter Brinckerhoff: “No money, no mission.”
Beauty Night National Executive Director & Founder, Caroline MacGillivray with Serena and Jeffrey Lowe and two of the members of the choir at the African Children's Choir 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration on Sept. 29 (Fairmont Hotel Vancouver)
I started to reflect about how much Beauty Night Society has done on such a nominal budget. Through community support we have run our programs for almost 9 years. Thanks to our volunteers, contributors and our participants, we have achieved many things. I could not help but wonder what would happen if we did have sustainable funding. Our program success are a huge tribute to human spirit, belief that we can make a difference in this world by following our mission and persistence. I started to wonder how we get from where we are today to where I would like to be on our 25th anniversary.
Our mission is to provide marginalized people tools to make positive lifestyle changes to heal themselves and our communities. Our goal is to be able to serve as many people as we can in as many communities around the globe as possible. As I watched pieces from the Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince and Audrey Hepburn’s glove & Tiffany watch be auctioned off, I couldnt’ help but wonder how do we get from where we are now to where we would like to be in two years.
“Caroline MacGillivray from Beauty Night Society,” a voice called out. I looked up to see Vicki Gabereau holding my business card. With a jolt, I pulled myself out of my chair and headed towards the stage. At the top of the evening, we were able to enter our names in a draw to win Bryan Adams tickets. From the distance, I could see my pink business card in Vicki Gabereau‘s hand.
When I climbed up the stairs to the stage, Vicki asked me if we should tell everyone about Beauty Night Society. For a moment, I hesitated as it would be great to tell people about what we do. I shook my head. It wasn’t the right time and place. It was time to raise money so the African Children’s Choir could continue to heal more children. I told Vicki I wanted to auction the tickets off. She turned to the mike and announced we were auctioning off the tickets. People became engaged and began to bid. The tickets sold for $4000.
With a bounce in my step, I walked down the stairs back to my seat. The people at my table, some who I now count as friends hugged me and told me it was “such a great thing to do.” I was surprised as to me – it was the only thing to do. When something feels right and I listen to it, I feel satisfied. As I continue to walk towards the future, I thought of all the organizations that are making a difference in this world. I want Beauty Night Society to continue to walk beside them. As we continue down this path, I can only hope that we will be able to work with like minded organizations to help restore dignity and respect to everyone in this world.
* And I did get rewarded for my efforts. I was already flushed from raising an additional $4000. Paul Rodger‘s wife told me it was a wonderful thing that I did. She teased me and said, “You don’t really like Bryan Adams do you?” I looked at her in surprise and told her I love Bryan Adams. I grew up listening to him. She pressed the tickets in my hands and told me to enjoy the concert. When I protested, she told me they could always get tickets from Bryan. I was told to have a good time. And that I did. The concert was fantastic!
