by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER …
How to Help A Desperate Situation?

It’s 2024, a new year, new beginnings and new hope for those less fortunate, thanks to those generous and caring benefactors and organizations in our midst.

A few weeks ago I was an invited guest at the Restaurant and Food Services awards evening with executive director, Ian Tostenson. The event was held at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Since my dear husband has recently gone to Heaven, and I don’t drive, I decided to take the bus (No. 29, I believe) out to the busy cultural centre. I wished I hadn’t, but, in the end, I’m glad I did because I could not conceive or even imagine how an entire section of our city is in such a deplorable state, a hideous blight and plight that’s been going on for years and years, filled with real, barely alive human beings, homeless, deprived, weak and handicapped, sleeping in the cold hard cement of Hastings Street and the close by areas or single rooms with shared bathrooms and no soap, old and young drug users, thin and pasty pale, many without limbs, many with mental anxieties and all without a hope for tomorrow.

I felt more than a little uncomfortable, being the only female on the bus and dressed for a party, especially when one big fellow decided to plop beside me, leering and trying to smell my perfume. I’m sure he was harmless, just a little drunk.

Thankfully as we headed up Hastings several blocks before Renfrew, the entire scene changed as the male downtown eastsiders departed and a feeling of my normal life returned. Bustling stores, bright lights and busy customers happy to be going home. And I felt happy for them.

Multiple blessings on those various charities that are trying to help these desperate souls, like the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House, the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Society, the Pot Luck Society, the Wish Drop In Society, and most especially, the Union Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army.

THE LADIES WHO LUNCH …

Starting the month of December off on a high note was Bianca Zanatta’s 23rd annual Ladies Christmas Charity Luncheon, which was held at Giardino’s. Dozens of glamorous femmes arrived in glittering attire to be welcomed by the Italian Stallion himself, Umberto Menghi, looking as handsome as ever .

Bianca (fifth from left/front row) and a few close, personal friends!

His elegant Giardino’s Restaurant on Hornby was fully decked out for the season. And it was such a treat to see old friends like Gloria Cuccione, the executive director of the MCFoundation’s Cure Child Cancer, along with her stunning daughter, Sophia.

Chatting together were Tracey Cambridge, Tanya Ali and Lori Teti whose family brought local fame to Italian cuisine through their long-gone Puccini’s Restaurant.

Realtor Lori Rowe glowed in her totally gold jacket and short flared skirt. She definitely has the legs to wear with that outfit!

**(from left) Judge Carmela Osborn, Lucy Devita, Bianca Zanatta, and Grace Osborn.**

Brenda McAllister brought her two sisters-in-law to the fundraising event, while Lucy Devita had her stunning hairstylist sister, Antonella Moscone, at her side.

Judge Carmela Osborn enjoyed the fun luncheon with her 90-year old mother, Grace Osborn, who looked fabulous! Every 90-year-old should look like Grace.

Also spotted in the crowd were Shelby Snodgrass, Sharyn Sanga and longtime pal, Marika Palmer, wife of now retired Frank Palmer, the former co-owner and boss of Palmer Jarvis Advertising. Frank’s partner, George “Turkey” Jarvis recently celebrated his 85th birthday in his sky-high condo in Burnaby.

New arrivals to the party crowd were Lisa Lao and Jen Zhao, two young dress designers from Hong Kong who hope to open a shop in Vancouver later in the New Year. Christine Gauthier (husband Chris is one of the top lawyers in town) and one of our host’s favourite people, Colleen O’Keefe, joined in the afternoon merriment.

**Vancouver’s host with the most — umberto Menghi.**

Petite and beautiful Devina Zalesky couldn’t stop smiling throughout this happy occasion. She’ll be celebrating her 37th wedding anniversary with her handsome husband, Paul Zalesky, in the Caribbean and Palm Springs, the spot where they met almost 40 years go.

The reason for this delectable benefit luncheon was to support Bianca and her efforts for the kids’ charity, Reach For Outer Space. This year, RFOS was able to accommodate 150 kids with gifts, clothing, winter boots and hampers benefiting the Spirit of the Children Society, YWCA’s Crabtree Corner, the Women’s Transition House and the Gitwangak Independent School where some 300 pounds of food, books, winter boots, clothing and holiday gifts were sent.

The indefatigable Mz. Zanatta was one happy lady and so were all the benefitees…

SOMETIMES IT’S PERSONAL …

One week later, there was another amazing fundraiser, this time for children with autism and their families. Ever since I have known her, Wendy Lisogar Cocchia, CEO of the Century Plaza Hotel, has been involved in helping children in any way she can. Eons ago she began raising funds for the Downs Syndrome people by hosting a day long Women’s Media Golf Classic which drew every female media person in town to take to the greens.

It was hilarious! Definitely the most fun day of the year!

Half of us had never even held a golf club, like me, but it didn’t matter. It was all about having a totally relaxing time while, at the same time, raising funds for those who desperately needed it. We recuperated later with a scrumptious dinner at Wendy’s Century Plaza Hotel.

**YVR’s Tamara Vrooman and Lt. Gov Janet Austin.**

That benefit went on for years, helping little kids with Down Syndrome, before Wendy launched a new and ambitious fundraising project a few years later. It was very personal for Wendy and her husband, Sergio, as they have a son with autism and their new priority became the Pacific Autism Family Network.

On December 7, the fifth annual Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) benefit luncheon called LAUNCH attracted more than 900 guests to the Bayshore, including the Lieutenant Governor of B.C. Janet Austin; the Premier of B.C., David Eby, Vancouver Police Chief Constable Adam Palmer and Assist. Chief Howard Chow, YVR’s new boss, Tamara Vrooman, Concord Pacific’s Terry Hui, Melita and Lorne Segal, Mel and Wendy Zajac, Pamela Martin, Peter Webster, Carrie Fieldgate and her two sisters (their Dad was former famed footballer Norm Fieldgate), Linda Stewart and Arlene MacDonald, P.R. Sue Daugulis and her crew, auctioneer Fred Lee, and photographer par excellence, Jay Shaw.

The star of the afternoon fundraiser was the young singer and pianist Kodi Lee. The former winner of America’s Got Talent is blind and autistic, and his performance certainly deserved the standing ovation it got.

I was particularly impressed that afternoon with Global TV’s Sophie Lui as she emceed the entire program. Calm, composed and caring, this beautiful young woman exemplifies the best in the TV news business. She was also the perfect emcee at the Chinatown Foundation’s superb Autumn Gala a couple of weeks ago with (again!) 900 dressy guests …

SCOOPS TO NOTE …

FACE THE WORLD … Joyful scoop! The dynamic Jacqui Cohen will relaunch her spectacular charity, Face The World, which is coming back to life next June! More details later. Can’t wait!...

BURGER NEWS … Sad Scoop. New boss at White Spot, Trent Carroll, tells me that they are permanently closing the Park Royal White Spot on Sunday, March 17. For almost 60 years the Park Royal White Spot was located at Taylor Way and Marine Drive, before relocating further down the block for another ten years. Time goes by very quickly. Get those Bigger Better Burgers now!...

And here’s to a safe, healthy and prosperous new year! Cheers! ...