Ashleigh Morriss (middle) receives award for Best Fundraising Event in Orlando, Florida with Joelle Paleologou (right).

WHITE ROCK, B.C. – Peace Arch Hospital Foundation (PAHF) has something to celebrate after winning an international award at Special Event Magazine’s Annual Gala Awards competition. Last year’s gala, La Dolce Vita, described as a “love letter to Italy,” was awarded Best Fundraising Event for its outstanding work in the special events industry worldwide.  

The Peace Arch Hospital gala, first planned for 2020, was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eventually occurring on May 2, 2022, La Dolce Vita celebrated the lush beauty, tantalizing food, and succulent wine that goes hand-in-hand with The Sweet Life, Italian-style. More than $900 thousand was raised for Peace Arch Hospital. 

Ashleigh Morriss (middle), PAHF’s Senior Events Officer, and Joelle Paleologou (right), Chair of the Foundation’s Gala Committee, received the award at a special ceremony held in Orlando, Florida.  

“We are so excited to bring this award home to White Rock,” says Ashleigh Morriss, who has co-led the event with Paleologou for the last seven years. “Over the years, our little gala that could has transformed into the most anticipated fundraising event in our community. International recognition of this kind would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteer Gala Committee members, supporting partners, and our incredibly generous sponsors. We are so grateful!”  

The now internationally acclaimed Peace Arch Hospital Gala will be back for another spectacular rendition, taking place on May 6, 2023. “We’d like to congratulate our incredibly talented and devoted gala committee members, who year after year outdo themselves with this event and continue to raise even more funds for Peace Arch Hospital,” Joelle Paleologou says. “Presented by Neil & Lisa Yarmoshuk, this year’s event, called Alice… Curiouser & Curiouser, is a journey to the magical world of Alice in Wonderland.”  

“Year after year, our talented team completely transforms Centennial Arena into an unexpected, elegant ballroom,” Morriss adds. “Our 2023 event promises to wow our guests like no other!” 

Media Contact:

Logan La Roue 

Manager, Strategic Communications 
Peace Arch Hospital Foundation 

PHONE: 604.535.4520 
EMAIL: logan@pahfoundation.ca 
WEB: www.pahfoundation.ca