WHITE ROCK, B.C. – The award-winning Peace Arch Hospital Gala was back on Saturday, May 6 with an Alice in Wonderland themed event to support the purchase of critically needed equipment at Peace Arch Hospital. Alice…Curiouser & Curiouser raised a whopping $1.5 million, breaking the previous gala record of just over $1 million in 2018.

The sold-out black-tie fundraiser, presented by Neil & Lisa Yarmoshuk, was attended by 465 guests and 50 volunteers who helped plan and execute the magical evening.

“Every year, the generosity of our gala guests is overwhelming,” said Stephanie Beck, Peace Arch Hospital Foundation’s Executive Director. “And this year, we broke a fundraising record by raising $1.5 million, all thanks to our incredibly philanthropic community.”

Lead donations were made by Mark Woodall and Judy McKague, who made a $250,000 matching gift, Donna Dong and Xudong Liu, who donated $150,000, Vern and Helga Höing who donated $110,000, Dave and Diane Balsor, who donated $100,000, and an anonymous donation of $100,000.

The Province Newspaper and Boulevard Magazine’s Fred Lee lent his talents as auctioneer, and entertainment included performance artist Michael Israel who flew in from Florida and painted live on stage, and the Underground Circus, whose acrobats were dressed as butterflies and descended from the ceiling to pour wine for the guests.

Guests drank vials of liquid labelled ‘Drink Me’ before entering the event through a giant tree stump and then squeezed through a keyhole to find their tables. They also enjoyed freshly shucked oysters from Victoria’s Wandering Mollusk, a hookah lounge, a garden of giant flowers and mushrooms, and the Queen’s Court silent auction.

The evening was presented by Neil & Lisa Yarmoshuk, with support provided by, Gold Sponsors – DMCL, Isle of Mann, Lark Group, RBC, and Westland Insurance, long-standing media sponsor – Peace Arch News, Venue Sponsor – The City of White Rock, Silent Auction Sponsor – Engel & Volkers, along with many other generous local businesses.

A 20-person steering committee, led by co-chairs Joelle Paleologou and Ashleigh Morriss, worked for more than a year to prepare for the event.