Although event organizers have called it a ‘non-traditional partnership’, Theatre Northwest and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern British Columbia are celebrating a successful joint fundraising event.
Last Saturday the two organizations teamed up to co-host a 1920’s “gin blossom” speakeasy.
The event took place at Theatre Northwest and invited guests to try various gin cocktails, including the five that were created as part of the gin cocktail competition.
Today (Friday), the first and second place winners of the cocktail competition were invited back to Theatre Northwest to accept donations to benefit the charities of their choosing.
Haylee Seiter, a volunteer guest bartender, won first place with her citrus-based cocktail.
Seiter accepted $500, which she chose to donate to the BC Burn Fund Association.
“My partner works for the Prince George fire department,” she explained.
The BC Burn Fund is composed of 3700 firefighters across the province and the Yukon. The organization sponsors burn survivor programs, outreach support programs, and the Burn Fund Centre in Vancouver.
“Anyone suffering major burn injuries will go there and it’s basically a home away from home,” said Byran Burleigh, local representative for the Burn Fund Association.
The second-place winner, Wayne Carrasco, accepted a $200 donation on behalf of Prince George Animal Rescue.
Although final numbers are still being tallied, revenue from the event will be split between Big Brothers Big Sisters and Theatre Northwest.
“I have been wanting to do a speakeasy for a while, I like the aesthetic of the era,” said Marnie Hamagami, Theatre Northwest’s Executive Director.
“Why compete against each other when you can bring your resources together and pull off something pretty incredible?” asked Tim Bennett, Executive Director for Big Brother Big Sisters.
“The community is starting to see donor fatigue, there are multiple events every weekend. By being able to partner together you’re able to pull the people who are here because they support Theatre Northwest, the people who support Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the people who just like to drink gin. We were able to get together multiple people who may never have been at the same fundraiser together,” Bennett added.
The two organizations also announced that a 2nd annual ‘gin blossom’ event will be hosted sometime next year.