Author: Ed Fong
Despite a two year hiatus and a short window to plan the event, Al Fresco 2015 was an extraordinary success in supporting our charity of choice, Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Together, our community came together and collected over 900 kilograms of food, a figure which wildly exceeded all expectation. ATB Financial, one of our event sponsors, collected 185kg. Carson Integrated conducted a corporate food drive and collected 120kg. The balance of the food was collected from Shoppers Drug Market City Centre East, the residents living in the condominium buildings that line 104th-St and the businesses and merchants. Well done everybody!
Between the online silent auction hosted by deVine Wines and Spirits and various collection points on 104th-St., Al Fresco raised $15,000 for Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Doug Hunter, Resource Development & Community Relations for Edmonton’s Food Bank wrote “We are humbled by your generosity. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!” A cheque presentation ceremony is being planned. We will invite everyone to come down and share this special moment after the final details have been arranged.
The online silent auction was an immense success, probably the most successful auction we have had to date. 91 individuals and businesses donated 107 items to the auction valued at $23,350. $19,450 in bids was made, representing an astounding 83% of retail value. Anyone who has ever been involved with organizing a silent auction will instantly recognize the generosity of the bidders who stepped up. Bravo to you all who bid and supported the auction!
Very special thanks to all the donors who provided such a vast selection of unique items to the auction. It was wonderful to receive so many items which provided experiences for bidders to enjoy, items such as the Dinosaur Dig, hot air balloon flights, dining experiences and hotel stays. Special thanks to Dirk Chan for administering the online auction, Kandice Little for packaging the items and Chris Arnold for reaching out to our many suppliers for support.
Residual auction proceeds of roughly $5,500 were turned over to the 104th-St. Action Committee. The monies will be used to plan future events and fund ongoing community development initiatives.
An event like Al Fresco can only take place when a dedicated individuals, groups and business come together to make it happen. We would like to acknowledge the follow champions for making our community drive to help Edmonton’s Food Bank a huge success.
Corporate Sponsors
ATB Financial – Ed Wong and his team of Downtown Branches
Downtown Business Association – Jim Taylor for his unwavering support
ZAG Creative – Alyson Hodson & Kara Paul for media input
Budget Printing – Zoeb Dungarwalla for print material
Planning & Development
Lixmila Serrano – Event Coordinator for knitting the pieces together
Myron Nebozuk – Event Chair for stick handling through all the permitting issues
Jon Hall – 104th-St. Action Committee Co-chair
John Williams – for his tireless work in organizing his fellow restaurateurs
Cheri Onusko – City of Edmonton, Community Recreation Coordinator for donating picnic tables, chairs & extra waste bins
Melcor Developments Ltd. – for allow us to use their parking lot for the Al Fresco Watering Hole
Ryan Mayer – Bluehaus Creative – for support in developing artwork, images and branding
Vendors who made financial contributions for hosting the event: Blue Plate Diner, Kelly’s Pub, Tzin Wine & Tapas, Credo Coffee, Cavern, Pampa Brazilian Steak House Food Truck and participating Farmers’ Market members.