Enchanted Garden Gala Celebrates 20 Years for Vancouver Charity

Friends For Life Charity takes celebrating to new heights with ‘avant-garden’ party on the Coast Plaza Hotel’s secret rooftop.

Twenty years ago the Vancouver Friends For Life Society moved its charity headquarters from a West End apartment into the Diamond Centre For Living. To celebrate the two decades of its work providing complimentary health services to those living with life-threatening illnesses, FFL (with the help of event gurus at The Social Concierge), put on the Enchanted Garden party Saturday at the Coast Plaza Hotel’s secret rooftop terrace.Local tastemakers and politicos were amongst the droves of attendees who came out to support FFL at the $150-per-ticket event, including Vancouver’s Man About Town Fred Lee, MP Hedy Fry and MLA Jenny Kwan.Kim Angel (right), executive director of Friends For Life, welcomed Easter Armas, A Loving Spoonful founder, to the West End celebration marking the society’s two decades of providing compassionate care. Representing for TD Bank Group (a sponsor for the gala event), were Grant Minish, Regional Manager, LGTBA Business and Fraser King, VP and Market Manager.  Friends For Life Board of Directors President Paula Parker poses with Suzanne Bidinost, Coast Hotels’ Regional Director. Garden nymphs Tess Montague and Jessica Williams greeted guests at the $150-a-ticket event. Coast Plaza Hotel Executive Chef Justin Paakkunainen designed the tasty bites for Lisa Martella, Executive Director of A Loving Spoonful and others to enjoy at the garden gala. The Social Concierge‘s Tyson Villeneuve and Sophie Perodeau produced Friends for Life’s Enchanted Garden Gala. Vancouver’s Man About Town Fred Lee and MLA Jenny Kwan were among notable guests in attendance at the outdoor cocktail party. Christopher Hunte, a.k.a Symone, Vancouver’s First Lady of Glam, emceed the evening’s festivities that reflected on the past and future of the Diamond Centre for Living—a home for those living with life-threatening illnesses. DJ Rachel Sehl spun tunes to keep the party going well past midnight. MP Hedy Fry and Chris Bolton, a.k.a. Conni Smudge, kibitzed at the anniversary celebrations.