It was as if everyone at last night’s sold-out Starry Night Glamping Gala was grabbing one last burst of fun in a summer that’s coming to an end far too soon.
The massive benefit party, which raised more than $500,000 for BGC Ottawa (formerly the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa) was held outside the non-profit organization’s Tomlinson Family Foundation Clubhouse on Prince of Wales Drive, with luxury car dealership Mark Motors Group returning as the presenting sponsor.
The evening twinkled brightly in so many ways, from the amazing food and drinks to the magnificent party tents, decorated by Avant-Garde Designs, to an exciting assortment of activities. The weather was perfect, too. Also set up were tented lounges that major sponsors could use to host friends or clients. The customized Airstream bar was back, allowing attendees to enjoy the outdoors while they grabbed some cocktails.
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“Best vibes ever,” opined one happy partygoer, Bruce Raganold, director of business development for Welch LLP.
Michelle Taggart, vice president of planning and land development for Tamarack Homes and Tartan Homes, returned for her third year to co-chair the gala. She was joined this time around by her long-time pal Jeff Smith, president of Smith & Reid Insurance.
Their gala committee included Richcraft Homes executive vice president Monica Singhal, Engel & Völkers real estate agent Sarah Grand, Backbone Angels co-founders Brittany Forsyth Smith and Marcie Murray, Daniella Granzotto from Shopify, Dr. Samuel Hetz, physician and medical director at Concept Medical, and North & Navy co-owner Chris Schlesak. He was in charge of food and drinks.
The evening featured Beckta Dining & Wine, Coconut Lagoon, Farinella, La Bottega, Maverick’s Donuts, North & Navy, Pure Kitchen, Torta Boyz and Town. Quenching everyone’s thirst were Bar From Afar, Dillon’s Distillers, Dominion City Brewing, Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits, Stem Wine Group, Tromba Tequila and Vodkow.
“Listen, I’m totally blown away by how well-organized this event is,” Trexity CEO and co-founder Alok Ahuja told OBJ.social. Even more compelling, said the first-time attendee, was the number of businesses rallying around the cause. There were nearly 50 sponsors listed. “All the so-called heavy hitters in Ottawa, that we all look up to, showed up and put their best foot forward.”
The crowd was full of leaders of all kind, including former Cognos CEO Rob Ashe; Alex Munter, chief executive of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and McMillan Vintage managing director and COO Robyn Osgood, who recently took over as the board chair of BGC Ottawa from well-known restaurateur Stephen Beckta (he now holds the title of director emeritus, along with his board chair predecessor, Graham Macmillan). Also out that night was Cindy Tomlinson. Her family’s donation of $1 million helped to heavily renovate the Clubhouse some six years ago.
The gala was just the thing to draw former Solace CEO Les Rechan back to town. He now lives in Naples, Fla. and New York City but, up until 2020, was a resident of Ottawa with his wife Meredithe, who’s on the board of BGC Ottawa.
Rechan thought the evening was just incredible. “I think the people who put the event together did an amazing job. It’s a great time of the year to get the community together and really uplift each other around a great cause.”
Now, about that cause. BGC Ottawa provides barrier-free services and programs to more than 5,000 children and youth in our community each year. It helps kids build confidence and skills, and offer them a place of belonging, the gala co-chairs said in their speeches, which were intentionally brief but meaningful.
“What is the difference between fitting in and belonging?” Taggart asked everyone. “Fitting in requires us to change ourselves in order to be who we think we need to be, to be accepted.
Belonging is being accepted for who we are. Accepted, wanted, included and valued.
“Belonging is the first word on the BGCO tagline: Belong, believe, achieve. It’s the foundation of what we’re trying to do for all these kids,” said Taggart, who’s also on the board of BGC Ottawa and was instrumental in her family’s gift of $1.4 million toward the creation of the Taggart Parkes Family Clubhouse on Heatherington Road.
The organization is much more than an after-school program, Taggart continued. “Everything that is done at BGC Ottawa is with intention. The promise of a gym or art program might be what gets a kid through the door but, once you come in the door, we’re here to help you build skills for life; reading and writing but also how to cook, how to share, how to be part of a team, how to be a leader.
“We help these kids get scholarships. There are also wrap-around supports that go out and benefit the entire family.”
The crowd heard how the demand for BGC Ottawa’s services is currently at its highest. “We have more kids coming to the Club than ever before in its 100-year history,” said Smith.
BGC Ottawa CEO Adam Joiner told OBJ.social that the rise in inflation and the cost of living has driven up the need for social services for many families. The organization’s summer camp, Camp Smitty, was not only full this season but had a waiting list.
Similar to last year, the co-chairs launched their Big Ask. They were looking for BGC Ottawa supporters to raise a hand in the air and donate $5,000. “You guys have been so generous but we’re going to ask you to be a little more generous,” said Taggart. Incentives included a chance to win prizes and to have one’s name included in a garden recognition plaque.
Twenty hands shot up. Smith walked the talk by raising his. Other donors included Stephen Beckta, AFP’s 2022 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist award winner Michael Wilson, gala committee members Marcie Murray and Dr. Sam Hetz, Altis Recruitment CEO Kathryn Tremblay, Les and Meredithe Rechan, and both Taggart’s husband, Alex Wilson, and her dad, Ian Taggart.
A total of $100,000 was raised.
Among the shining stars that night was Cody Coyote, an award-winning Ottawa-based Ojibwe hip hop artist and motivational speaker. He got everyone to be present for his performance by interacting with and engaging his audience. “He truly held space,” Shopify employee and rap artist Peter Joynt told OBJ.social afterward. “That’s tough to do in an environment like this.”
Coyote performed his song “Ogimaa (Remix)”, which means “Leader” in Ojibwe.
caroline@obj.ca
