The Comox Valley knows and loves the music and humour of Helen Austin, which expands the heart and challenges the spirit.
That鈥檚 why L鈥橝rche Comox Valley has asked Austin to be the headline entertainer at L鈥橝rche鈥檚 annual gala this Saturday at the Westerly Hotel on Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
The gala will also host a giant silent auction and a live auction with donated items from dozens of Valley businesses and individuals. These items range from weekends in Tofino, airline tickets, a luxurious barbecue, massages, works of art, tools, wine kits, services for your favourite cat or dog, etc., etc., etc.
Food will grace every table so you can munch while you laugh and listen or outbid your neighbours for that much sought-after item.
Tickets for this exciting event are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. They can be purchased at Blue Heron in Comox or Laughing Oyster in Courtenay or at the Chamber of Commerce in Courtenay.
L鈥橝rche Comox Valley has many events happening the week of May 2.
L鈥橝rche and Central Builders are sponsoring a Relay for Life Texas-Hold-Em-No-Limit Poker Tournament to support the Canadian Cancer Society. The tournament takes place at the Westerly Hotel on May 2 beginning at 1 p.m.
Also that week, L鈥橝rche will host a conference of representatives from all the L鈥橝rche communities from Winnipeg west to Vancouver Island.
The executive directors and board chairs from seven western cities will be coming to Courtenay to see what L鈥橝rche Comox Valley has achieved and to compare notes as to how best to serve the community of people with developmental disabilities in this region.
Corporate sponsors for the L鈥橝rche Comox Valley Gala include the Canadian Western Bank, Investors Group, Coldwell Banker and Best Western鈥檚 Westerly Hotel.
Operating through its Outreach and Creative Arts Centre at 1744 England Ave. in Courtenay and its residence, Jubilee House, L鈥橝rche Comox Valley ends the isolation and loneliness of people with developmental disabilities, one person at a time. It accelerates their inclusion in the broader community, thereby creating a more compassionate society.
L鈥橝rche, founded by Canadian Nobel Peace prize nominee Jean Vanier, is a force for social change with a global impact. It is at work in 40 countries on six continents, challenging the way societies relate to people with developmental disabilities.
L鈥橝rche has applied to the federal government for a major grant to build a new Creative Arts Centre and residences for 15 more people. At the gala, it will launch a capital campaign to raise an additional $1.5 million for these projects.
There is a severe shortage of safe, affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities on Vancouver Island, and L鈥橝rche is determined to make a major contribution to meeting this need.
鈥� L鈥橝rche Comox Valley
