The longest-running and largest fundraiser in Alberta continued its winning ways on April 15 as more than 1,200 guests gathered in the BMO Centre to support the 29th annual Enserva STARS & Spurs Gala.
The gala has, since its inception in 1994, raised more than $19 million (net) for STARS, making it the organization’s most significant annual fundraising event. That the gala raised more than $1.2 million this year ensures the life-saving services that STARS’ provides will continue for years to come.
Taylor Munroe, the featured speaker at this year’s gala, shared his near-death experience as a result of a fateful ride in a utility terrain vehicle. He suffered multiple injuries and fractures including to his spine. “I’m living my second chance. I’m grateful for every moment. I’m amazingly grateful for STARS. STARS saves and changes lives every day.”
Highlights this night included: fabulous silent auction items; a red carpet photo booth; live auction items; a 360-degree video booth; a wall of wine, wall of spirits or beer and bubbles raffles; STARS helicopter tours; Indigenous entertainment; country singer Dan Davidson; and headline entertainer The James Barker Band.
Guests in attendance included: Enserva president and CEO Gurpreet Lail; gala chair and Bravo Target Safety CEO Kevin O’Brien; STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson; volunteer committee members Mark O’Byrne, Tyler Dahlseide, Kristos Iatridis, Ryan Smith, Chris McCullough and Peter Christopher; STARS pilot Jason Arthur with colleagues John Doyle, a flight paramedic, and Stuart Grant, a flight nurse; Tenaris vice-president Shellie Clark with her husband Brian Clark and colleague Dave McHattie with this wife Mirna McHattie; featured artist Karli Crowshoe of The Chief’s Daughter fame with her sister Amelia Crowshoe; Precision Drilling’s Jim Clarke, Marrett Alwood, Ashley Connolly and Corey Lazar; Trimac’s Rhonda Leason, Ramon Ignacio, Leah Miller, Marc Gravel and Deryk Gillespie; Indian Resource Council’s Mark Taylor and his wife, competitive figure skater and coach Cathy Taylor; ConocoPhillips’ Kenny Brunette, Chris Malkin, Bij Agarwal, and James Makowecki; and others pictured.
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