Last night’s Evening in the Maritimes bid fair winds and following seas to Jeff Snyder, a local community leader who’s captained ABLE2’s signature gala for as long as even the most loyal attendees can remember.
“I’ve loved every minute of it but it’s time to move on,” the vice president of sales and solutions at Capital Office Interiors told a crowd of 550 attendees gathered at The Westin hotel in downtown Ottawa.
Snyder first started volunteering with the non-profit organization in 1994, after moving to the nation’s capital as a young man from Halifax. Since 2005, he’s held a leadership role with the annual fundraiser, which has cumulatively raised millions to help people of all ages across the disability spectrum, and their families. This year, Evening in the Maritimes (EiTM) grossed more than $375,000 in revenue – making it one of the best years yet for the event.
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Standing beside Snyder on stage was his successor: Danielle Demark, associate wealth and investment advisor with RBC Wealth Management. “I look forward to her bringing energy and new ideas to this wonderful event,” said Snyder while taking a moment to thank the many corporate sponsors. “It really has been an honour doing this for so many years. Next year, I’m just going to kick back, maybe have an extra beer, and just enjoy.”
EiTM is well-suited for taking it easy. It offers the kind of music, decor and food that captures the East Coast Kitchen Party feel. There’s an ocean-themed photo backdrop that comes with its own crustacean mascot; a replica lighthouse surrounded by lobster traps, netting and ornamental seagulls; live fiddle music; and a four-course lobster dinner complete with tie-on bib. Need the crowd’s attention? No problem. Just blast the fog horn sound effect.
Even live auctioneer Ryan Watson from Raising the Bid embraced the magic of the Maritimes by donning an Anne of Green Gables-like straw hat and red braids. He did stop short of wearing a pinafore, though.
The gingham-clothed dinner tables were divided into the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. EiTM is so well-organized, it runs more smoothly than a fishing trawler on tranquil waters. There were even charging stations readily available to make sure cell phone batteries didn’t die during the online silent auction bidding.
Serving as honorary chair was entrepreneur and comedian Michael Lifshitz, who was born with a condition called Multiple Congenital Musculoskeletal Abnormalities. Said Lifshitz on stage: “I can relate firsthand to the frustration that can result from living in a world that’s far too often not designed for inclusion and accessibility. It can truly take a toll on a person’s self-worth and their mental health.
“This is why I believe it is so important to support ABLE2 in its mission, as its programs work to remove the barriers and empower people with disabilities to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives,” said Lifshitz, who’s been known to rappel down buildings to raise funds and awareness in support of people living with disabilities. “I believe that, together, we can all truly accomplish the goal of one day having a truly accessible world where everyone can thrive.”
Lifshitz took over as honorary chair from Jim Kyte, the only legally deaf hockey player in the history of the NHL. Kyte, who was part of the organizing committee this year, was credited for securing the big-ticket items for the live auction.
One of the highlights was learning more about ABLE2’s Matching Program from client Marsha Gilchrist and community volunteer Meghan Maack, who works as a senior development officer at Carleton University. They spoke on stage, seated in red Adirondack chairs, with gala host Graham Richardson from CTV Ottawa News.
People living with disabilities report higher rates of loneliness and social isolation than people without disabilities. They tend to have much smaller social networks. It was interesting to hear Maack talk about the enjoyment that she gets from having someone like Gilchrist in her life. “We all have those friends who say ‘I’m too busy’ or who don’t answer the phone. Marsha is always there for me and happy to chat, and up to doing anything.”
Gilchrist, who’s been blind since birth, talked enthusiastically about her outings with Maack to fresh food store Farm Boy. “She gives me a vegetable and asks me what it is,” explained Gilchrist. “If I don’t know, she’ll tell me.”
The crowd also learned that Gilchrist has been married for almost 48 years to her husband, Butch, and keeps busy by singing in choirs. She was proud to share that she recently tried downhill skiing. “Everybody thought I couldn’t do it; I showed them they were wrong,” she said, her moxy met with warm applause.
ABLE2 board treasurer Nick Korpiloski didn’t grow up in Ottawa but told OBJ.social his family would have benefited from some of the programs and support offered by ABLE2. His sister lives with disabilities. “I honestly think the biggest thing is isolation and not having the right social connections,” Korpiloski, a commercial account manager at RBC, told OBJ.social. “I wish there was something like the Matching Program to provide her with a network, a buddy that she can get together with.”
The evening recognized the 50th anniversary of ABLE2 (formerly called Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa) by calling up one of its founders, David Hall. He told everyone he was “over the moon” to be part of the celebration.
Sold off that night were travel experiences involving the best hotels and restaurants. There were trips to the Rocky Mountains, Vancouver and Whistler, the Maritimes and The Bahamas, as well as a pair of Air Canada tickets to anywhere the airline flies.
caroline@obj.ca
