In these unprecedented times we are all in it together and our health care heroes need support now more than ever! This year the Airdrie Health Foundation is getting creative with fundraising, and the annual Light Up the Night Gala is reimagined for 2020. Between Sunday, September 20th and Sunday, October 4th we will be hosting a two-week long online auction, host four virtual wine tastings with food pairings, a virtual pour art class with local artist Verone Solilo, and wrapping things up with the Light Up the Night Fundraiser – a live-streamed solo acoustic concert with country music star Brett Kissel on October 3rd.
Brett Kissel is constantly exploring new ideas, while never forgetting what he does best. It’s an approach that has propelled him to the top of Canadian country music, with two Gold certified albums, a Platinum and eight Gold singles and 15 top-10 radio hits to his credit. 2019 was his biggest year yet, winning the JUNO Award for Country Album of the Year and earning the Canadian Country Music Association’s Fans’ Choice Award, following a record-breaking 112-date tour that reached every single province and territory. The Canadian Press crowned him “The New King of Canadian Country.”
Although some artists might see these accomplishments as a cue to hit cruise control, for this proud husband and father of three, it has only added fuel to his fire to give his audiences more, and to expand his musical vision. That’s precisely what he’s done on his latest album, “Now Or Never.”
These virtual events will provide unique experiences for attendees while offering opportunities to support the foundation at the same time. The challenges of COVID-19 – and not being able to host a large gala in the fall – means that we have had to get creative with fundraising efforts. The need for funding enhanced health services continues to grow as the community grows. The fundraising goal this fall is to raise $80,000. These funds will provide services, equipment, programs and education that directly impacts the community – for over 70,000 Airdrie residents and over 30,000 residents of surrounding smaller communities.
Schedule of virtual events:
- Online auction – Sept. 20 – Oct. 4
- Pour Art Night with Verone Solilo – Sept. 21
- Cross-Canada wine tasting with food pairing from Great Events Catering – Sept. 24
- Portuguese winemaker’s lunch with food pairing from Il Forno – Sept. 27
- South African wine tasting with food pairing from Il Forno- Sept. 29
- Argentina wine tasting with food pairing from Great Events Catering – Oct. 2
- Brett Kissel concert – Oct. 3