Langley, BC — Langley’s generous philanthropist community showed their dedication to health care excellence at Langley Memorial Hospital during the fourth annual Giving Hearts Gala on February 11, where 350 donors and sponsors raised $240,000 to renovate the hospital’s Spiritual Space.
The urgent needs to renovate the hospital’s Spiritual Space inspired extraordinary donors Racy Sidhu, Garry Gill of Surrey Cedar, and the Bath Family Foundation to commit $10,000 each for the cause.
In an exciting turn of events, the Mann family, made up of local philanthropists and Giving Hearts Gala co-founder Balraj Mann, his wife Jasbir Mann and his children, donated an additional $100,000 to help equip Langley Memorial’s Pain Clinic, which offers daily care and treatment to people who seek treatment for chronic pain.
Journalist and Giving Hearts Gala committee member Sonia West MC’ed the event, which featured lively performances from Royal Academy of Punjab’s Bhangra Dance team, Dhol (Indian drumming) from Darvn Gill and the soothing sitar mastery of Anju Bedi.
This year, guest speaker Retired Cpl. Baltej Singh Dhillon, the first Sikh to wear a turban as a part of the official Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) uniform, addressed the crowd with his message on integrating the principles of Sikhism in local philanthropy.
“We have the opportunity to serve and to support a space that will help patients, their loved ones and health care workers find peace, solace and support in a time of crisis or loss,” said Baltej S Dhillon.
Giving Hearts guests’ donations will support renovations to the Spiritual Space at Langley Memorial, transforming it from a dated, dim space into a serene environment designed for privacy and healing, prayer, meditation, or quiet thought.
“At the Foundation, we knew that a Spiritual Space would inspire the generosity of the Giving Hearts Gala community, which is dedicated to hospital care that serves emotional and psychological needs — care from the inside out,” said Heather Scott, Executive Director of Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Since 2019, Giving Hearts gala guests and sponsors have raised $905,000 for advances that make an impact on the lives of Langley residents every day, including $200,000 to help fund the Martini Family Emergency Centre and MRI Suite; $150,000 for wheelchairs and walkers to aid patient mobility, and another $215,000 to fund lifesaving care for vulnerable newborns through a new Giraffe Carestation for Langley’s Maternity unit.
