On June 18th, 224 guests gathered for a sold-out celebration in support of the Dufferin Community Foundation. The skies outside may have been grey and drizzly, but beneath the glow of chandeliers in the beautiful tent, An Evening Under the Stars once again lived up to its name in the most meaningful way.
Hosted for the fourth time by Joan and Paul Waechter, the event transformed their home and property into a magical gathering place for community leaders, friends, and supporters of the Foundation to connect and celebrate.
A lively mix of fundraising activities kept guests engaged throughout the evening, including Heads or Tails (a guest favourite), an exclusive raffle, and a live auction. The auction featured several standout experiences, including a Porsche Drive Experience for 2 donated by The Policaro Group and a Private Helicopter Experience for 6, donated by Andy Kidd of Devonleigh Homes. Each of these experiences raised $5,500 for the Foundation, totaling $11,000!
One of the most memorable moments of the night came from the Streams Community Hub’s Centre Stage Youth Group. Their performance of three songs from Finding Nemo Jr. brought our guests to their feet and showcased the incredible impact of youth arts programming supported by the Foundation, including through the Streams Creative Futures Fund, an endowment created to support these programs for years to come.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our guests, sponsors, donors, and community partners, this year’s An Evening Under the Stars raised more than $60,000 in support of the Foundation’s ongoing work of strengthening communities across Dufferin County.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the gala possible:
- Joan and Paul Waechter, our generous and gracious hosts
- Julie Wood for her moving remarks on creating a family legacy
- Gourmandissimo for catering the delicious food and drink
- Deb Sanderson for donating her photographic talents
- Old School – we love their music so much!
- Jamie McCutcheon, our lively and entertaining auctioneer
- Streams Community Hub and the Centre Stage Youth Group
- Zehrs for donating our table centerpieces
- Our Onsite Gala Volunteers – Summer Smith (The Brackett Auto Group), Samantha Bumber, Sheldon Francis, Mike Jamieson, Lauren Orsborn, Rajbir Kaur, Luisa Santopietro, Yvonne Guse Rahn, Sagun Raheja, and Erin Goody from Meridian’s Orangeville Branch, and Brandon Andrews
- Our Stars Planning Committee: Joan Waechter, Debbi Goss, Julie Wood, Amie Zukowski, Gord Gallaugher, and Michele Fisher
Our Gala Sponsors:
- Gourmet BBQ Sponsor – Lismar Financial
- Wine Sponsor – Jack and Henriette Kottelenberg
- Reception Sponsor – Meridian
- Entertainment Sponsor – RLB Chartered Professional Accountants
- Dessert Bar Sponsor – Avertex
- Welcome Cocktail Sponsor – Cole Heideman, RBC Wealth Management
- Beer Sponsors – Creemore Springs Brewery & GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Co.
Our Live Auction Donors
- Andy Kidd, Devonleigh Homes
- The Policaro Group
- The Brackett Auto Group
- Cedarcroft Home & Outdoor
- Holmes Agro
- Greystones
- Joan & Paul Waechter
- Hotel X Toronto
- Champion Shavings
- TPC Toronto
- Scott Reinhart Trailer Sales Ltd
An extra thank you to The Policaro Group for showcasing a Porsche 911 champion race car at the gala!
Our Raffle Prize Donors:
Heads or Tails Prize Donor & Bouquet: Orangeville Flowers & Amie Zukowski
Door Prize Donor: Elizabeth Bryan, Weaverbee Textiles
And most importantly, thank you to all our guests for supporting our ‘forever fund’ for Dufferin County. You were the true stars of the evening…and we look forward to seeing you next year!
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