Reflecting on Illuminating Hope: Thank You for an Incredible Evening

Hosted at the Fringe Theatre Arts Barn, the 4th annual Illuminating Hope Garden Cocktail Party brought together community members, sponsors, donors, volunteers, partners, and supporters for an evening rooted in care, compassion, and purpose.

The evening was a chance to gather in support of individuals and families impacted by family violence, while also reflecting on the hope, healing, and safety that can exist beyond experiences of violence and abuse. From the meaningful conversations shared throughout the room to the generosity shown through sponsorships, donations, and silent auction support, Illuminating Hope was a reminder of what can happen when the community comes together with intention.

We were honoured to hear from Dorothy Briggs, CEO and Founder of Womanition Magazine, as she shared her powerful keynote, I Know a Girl. Her deeply personal reflection on family violence, healing, resilience, and hope was an important reminder of why listening to lived experiences matters. Stories like Dorothy’s help create understanding, build awareness, and remind us of the strength it takes to move forward.

We also appreciated being recognized by all levels of government. This recognition reflects the importance of continued awareness, collaboration, and support in responding to family violence and creating safer futures in our community.

As the evening unfolded, there was a real sense of people showing up with intention. Guests came not only to attend the event, but to stand behind the work of The Today Centre and the individuals and families who may one day need that support. In a room filled with conversation, food, reflection, and care, Illuminating Hope offered a reminder that change is often built through many quiet acts of commitment.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

Illuminating Hope would not have been possible without the people and organizations who contributed their time, resources, services, and care to the evening.

To our sponsors, in-kind partners, silent auction donors, volunteers, planning committee, and community partners, thank you. Each contribution helped shape the experience of the event and strengthened its purpose.

Your involvement helps ensure The Today Centre can continue offering accessible support, education, resources, advocacy, referrals, and coordinated care to individuals and families impacted by family violence. We are grateful to everyone who helped bring the event to life.

Our Financial Partners

Thank you to our financial partners for investing in Illuminating Hope and in the ongoing work of The Today Centre.

Financial sponsorship helps create space for connection and awareness, while also supporting the services and resources that community members may turn to during difficult times. Your support helps sustain the work behind the scenes, from education and prevention to direct support and system navigation.

We are grateful for your partnership and for the confidence you place in this work.

In-Kind Service Partners

Our in-kind partners helped bring the details of the evening together in ways both big and small. Their contributions added care, warmth, and support to the event, helping create a space where people could gather with purpose.

Business In Edmonton Magazine

Corus Entertainment

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

Etched In Marketing

In Your Face Photo Booth

Lillian Osborne High School

Pioneer Press Ltd.

River City Events

Sawmill Banquet & Catering Services

The Fringe Theatre

Visible ID

Because of your support, the evening came together with true care and intention. Your contributions helped create a welcoming space for reflection and shared awareness around the importance of family violence support in our community.

Silent auction partners

The silent auction brought energy, generosity, and connection to the evening. Each donated item, service, experience, or gift offered guests a way to participate while helping raise funds for The Today Centre’s work.

We are thankful to every silent auction partner who chose to give. Your contributions helped create moments of excitement throughout the event, but more importantly, they helped support the care, resources, and education that continue long after the evening ends.

Thank you to our silent auction partners:

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Services

Ale Architect

Bent Stick Brewing Co

Bing Phung Artist Studio

Blue Solaris Tattoo

California Closets

Chianti Cafe and Restaurant

Citadel Theatre

Confetti Sweets

Councillor Aaron Pacquette

Councillor Anne Stevenson

Councillor Ashley Salvador

Councillor Erin Rutherford

Councillor Jo Anne Wright

Councillor Jon Morgan

Councillor Reed Clarke

DoubleTree Hotels by Hilton

Edmonton International Airport

Edmonton Riverhawks

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

Eye Candy Lash Extensions

Famoso Pizzeria Napoletana Magrath

Full Circle Aesthetics

Game OVR

Glasses2Go

HEEP Kids

Kay Kerr Designs

Kingsway Mall

Laser City

LaunchPad

Mayfield Dinner Theatre

Mayor Andrew Knack

Mayfield Dinner Theatre

MLA Brooks Arcand-Paul

MLA Marie Renaud

Montana's BBQ & Bar

MP Kerry Diotte

Norwood Dental Centre

Original Joe's Magrath

Pact Coffee

Passion to Purpose Live

Pat & Mike's Family Restaurant

Peter Family

Porter Airlines

Proforma NBT

RejeuvaDERM

Robert Bray Portrait Design

Salisbury Greenhouses

Sarah Dargatz

Sea Change

Simply Orthodontics

Snow Valley

Stanford Hearing Centre

Suspended ...

TalonPoint Defence

The Comic Strip

The Fringe Theatre

The Seven80

Thu Parmar

Trapped Edmonton

Urban Bulldogs Against Kids Abuse

Wallish Greenhouse

Womanition Magazine

We are grateful for the care and generosity brought to the auction, and for your willingness to be part of an evening rooted in hope and action.

Cork Pull Micro-Fundraiser Partners

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the generous partners who helped make our Cork Pull Micro-Fundraiser possible. Your support added something special to the evening and helped create another meaningful way for guests to give back.

Thank you to our Cork Pull Micro-Fundraiser Partners:

Adam Szybunka-Ostopowich

Dalisha Parker

Elizabeth Colbourne

Furlong Family

Keg n Cork Liquor

Nanette Kufeldt

Peter Family

Richard Ouellet

Trevor Smith

Super Value Liquor

Liquor Lake

Your support helped make this fundraiser possible, and we are truly grateful for the care and community spirit you brought to the evening.

Hope, Carried Forward

To everyone who attended, sponsored, donated, volunteered, planned, shared, and supported Illuminating Hope, thank you.

An event like this lasts for one evening, but its impact reaches further. It helps build awareness. It helps sustain services. It reminds survivors that they are not alone. It reminds our community that family violence is not something any one person, family, or organization can address in isolation.

At The Today Centre, we believe safer futures are possible when people are met with compassion, information, and support. Illuminating Hope is one of the ways our community helps carry that belief forward.

Thank you for helping us illuminate hope.