Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: dave babych

A4K Boxing Gala Glam Brings Vegas to Hollyburn Country Club

It’s been 11 years since the Athletic for Kids (A4K) group got together to put up their dukes to raise money for youngsters to play sports. And with ever increasing costs, more and more families have been reaching out for assistance. This year the board was back with its Las Vegas themed gala at Hollyburn Country Club in West Vancouver where invited guests and VIP athletes were treated to a night of cocktails, prizes, auction items, a gourmet dinner and the main event – a five round sanctioned boxing card that featured an exhibition match by rookie fighter and ex BC Lions star Sean Millington.

01 – Getting ready behind the scenes with the fighters and holding up the coveted big belt are board member Craig Knapton, left, and fight night coordinator / former Olympic boxer Manny Sobral.

02 – Athletics for Kids past-president Craig Knapton, right, welcomes former BC Lions Sean Millington to the ring for his exhibition boxing debut. Don’t worry ladies, he’s still looking good even after taking a few punches.

03 – Athletics for Kids board member and former Vancouver Canucks hero Dave Babych, centre, chats with guests Chris Gray, left, and Barry Pynn before the dinner starts.

04 – Making sure all the feathers and sequins are in place for a perfect Vegas night are A4K director Kimberly MacAulay, left, and PR pro Pamela Buck.

05 – Sitting ringside with their doctor duties this night are Dr Jim Hunter, left, and Dr Marc Boileau.

06 – It’s a true boy’s night out as guests Adam Wicks, left, and Andre Boileau can tell you complete with Vegas showgirls, steak dinner and live action boxing.

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By Catherine Barr – April 5, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on April 11, 2013

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April 8, 2013
Vancouver Upcoming Gala Events for 2013

Happy New Year everyone! And just as you’re finishing putting away the holiday decorations, it’s time to take out your date books and pencil in some spectacular events for the upcoming year. There’s never a shortage of things to do all across the North Shore and charity events are always on the list. The summer months are bursting with community fun and festivals but you’ll want to book off lots of time during May, June, October and November as these are always when the big glamorous galas are held. Check out some of these dates below and be sure to check back with me throughout the year to keep you posted. Best wishes to all.

01 – Kay Meek Centre board member Paul Tutsch, left, West Vancouver councillor Mary Ann Booth and volunteer Barney Ellis were among the many guests at last year’s annual Kay Meek Gala event. This year you’ll want to keep May 31, 2013 clear as they celebrate again with special guest star Holly Cole.

02 – October is a big gala month and they don’t come any bigger than the Gift of Time Gala for Canucks Place Children’s Hospice. Last year lots of North Shore faces were in attendance as Global TV anchor Chris Gailus and radio star Tara Maguire played co-host.

03 – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation gala chair Mary Jane Devine shows us that the Rockin’ for Research Gala is always hot stuff by posing with members of the fire department as they were auctioned off as part of a fabulous dinner and dine package during last year’s live auction. Mark Nov 2, 2013 on your calendar for this one.

04 – Wine, women and . . well more wine. Whistler’s annual Cornucopia may be considered one of the wildest weekends on the mountain with so many dinners, dances, tastings and parties to attend that come November 2013, they are planning on holding it for a whole week. Hold onto your hats for details.

05 – Formerly known as the Diamond Ball, the 17th Annual Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Ball will be held on April 27 this year. Black and yellow are all the rage at this event as North Shore golden gals Bryanna Baker, left, Elizabeth Dyer and Carey Macbeth can tell you.

06 – Put up your dukes on April 5, 2013 as Hollyburn Country Club prepares to once again host the A4K – Athletics for Kids extravaganza. It’s a Vegas theme all the way as board members Craig Knapton, left, and Dave Babych get ready for their eleventh year.

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By Catherine Barr – Dec 28, 2012

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 3, 2013

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December 27, 2012
Barenaked Ladies and Celebs at Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Fundraiser

What happens when you put high fashion, luxury sports cars and celebrities together in one room? The answer is the 6th annual Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Charity Gala. Supporting pancreatic cancer research at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), this night featured both silent and live auction items, food and beverage stations (provided by some of Vancouver’s best known restaurants) and a live performance by Canada’s own Barenaked Ladies who rocked the house till midnight. Some of the North Shore’s famous faces walked the red carpet alongside the city’s beautiful people who all came out to support this very worthwhile cause.

01 – Taking a look at the auction items up for grabs are Candace Alderson, left, Alan Gelfand and Lynn Wigen.

02 – Always wonderful to see CTV Vancouver’s Coleen Christie and Farhan Lalji take the stage. This dynamic duo helped MC at the live auction and also introduced the Barenaked Ladies for their performance.

03 – Sexy social gals Traci Myles, left, and Carla Temple get a chance to talk about cars, stars and Carla’s impressive former life as a Canadian bodybuilding champion.

04 – CTV news anchor and North Vancouverite Mike Killeen is all smiles as he gets a chance to cuddle up to his beautiful wife Jill, left, and talented West Vancouver estate lawyer Nicole Garton-Jones.

05 – Former Canucks hero and North Shore resident Dave Babych, seen here with wife Diana, was among the VIPs at the party.

06 – BMW sales executive Dave Griffiths, left, congratulates dealer/owner Brian Jessel on another fantastic gala fundraising night.

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By Catherine Barr – June 11, 2011

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on June 23, 2011

June 20, 2011
Athletics for Kids Boxing Gala Is a Hit at West Vancouver Hollyburn Country Club

Sometimes getting in the game is hard, especially for those living close to the poverty line. Hockey gear, soccer gear, baseball gear and registration fees, are costs that sometimes add up to a young person not being able to participate. Fortunately, there’s the good folks behind the Athletics for Kids organization (A4K). They’re out to even the score by supplying financially disadvantaged youth with access to community amateur sports programs. Last week, the 9th Annual A4K Boxing Dinner Gala helped raise funds via an elegant black-tie night out at West Vancouver’s Hollyburn Country Club. Round one was a martini reception, complete with silent auction items galore. Then it was time for a beautiful three-course dinner, a live auction, and then the main event – five rounds of Olympic rules sanctioned boxing. Congrats to all involved.

01 – Put up your dukes, let’s get down to it. Boxing buddies Bob Leblevec, left, Dave Bird, Todd Wall and Brad Wolgs play it up for the camera during the before dinner reception.

02 – Time for a boys night out as Andre Boileau and his dad, Dr. Marc Boileau, get ready to watch some Olympic class boxing.

03 – A4K President Chris Obst welcomes guests, like former North Vancouver fire chief Tommy Cummings, to the best night of boxing on the North Shore.

04 – QM/FM radio personality and former A4K director Tara McGuire, left, dines with producer Brad Challoner and Crystal Lidemark.

05 – And in this corner, helping with the MC duties for the night, is QM/FM morning show host Mike Shaeffer.

06 – They look just as comfortable in the ring as they do on the ice. Canucks anthem singer (and lucky charm) Mark Donnelly, left, and Canucks hockey hero Dave Babych get ready to raise money for the kids.

07 – He’s the man that helped start it all. Loads of hugs and kisses to A4K co-founder Craig Knapton, seen here with wife Becky, for pouring his heart and soul into helping all the kids.

08 – Leaving everyone shaken and stirred are the beautiful serving duo of Hannah Locke, left, and Nelly Kutle who ensure that the martini glasses are always full.

09 – Hit me with your best shot. Former Super Welterweight Champion of the World, boxing coach and A4K spokesperson Manny Sobral, left, kids with friend Ivano DeCotiis as the boxing matches get underway.

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By Catherine Barr – April 1, 2011

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on April 7, 2011

April 4, 2011
Athletics for Kids Boxing Gala

It was time for bow ties and boxing gloves as the 7th annual Athletics for Kids (A4K) Boxing Gala was held last Friday at Hollyburn Country Club. Rock 101 FM’s Bro Jake “The Champ” Edwards had them rolling in the aisles as he helped MC the evening which included a glamorous martini reception, big steak dinner and five rounds of Olympic sanctioned boxing. Helping raise money for kids who can’t afford to play sports is the goal of these go-getters, and they continue to do so in style thanks to the many who came out in support. (more…)

April 6, 2009