It was a night filled with many emotions, many dignitaries, many REALTORS® and many people raising money for Daffodil House in St. John, Newfoundland. On Friday, September 12, 2008, tuxedos were dusted off and gowns were worn as Exit Realty on the Rock’s sold-out gala evening got underway. Guests were greeted with a glossy 20-page program and served complimentary champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries. Every lady was presented a complimentary rose.
At 7:30 p.m., the head table guests – which included CREA President Cal Lindberg, Premier Danny Williams, Lieutenant Governor His Honour John C. Crosby, Exit Realty Corp. International Senior Vice President Ed Martens, and guest speaker Peter Mansbridge – were piped in by the City of St. John’s Pipe Band bagpiper.
“(Veteran journalist) Peter Mansbridge’s keynote speech literally left everyone in the room speechless,” said Bruce Mullett, Sales Manager of EXIT Realty On The Rock. Mullett added “the emotion that swept the audience during the moment of silence and 14 year old Stephanie Barbour’s rendition of ‘Angel’ enhanced the closeness, the emotion, and the momentum of the event.”
Highlights of the night included Mr. Mansbridge and Premier Williams in “collection mode,” passing their top hats around to gala attendees; out of town guests Val and Kim Connell of Exit Town and Country in Greenwood, New Brunswick adding $1,000 each to the “Locks of Love” campaign and the high bid frenzy that was created by auctioneer Derek Stapleton.
Anne Squires – a broker with Exit Realty On The Rock and the evening’s Chairperson and MC credited the success of the evening to her team of volunteers. “I may chair this event and I may be on stage tonight, but the amazing efforts of a truly committed team of 19 volunteers who have stayed with me on this since February, have made tonight’s event the success that it is. This is not my show, it’s the team’s.”
A cheque for $100,000 was dedicated to Daffodil Place on the night of the event with thousands more on the horizon. Daffodil Place will be a 24-suite facility to accommodate those who have to travel to the Newfoundland capital for cancer treatment, providing emotional and practical support for cancer patients and their families. Construction is scheduled to be completed in early 2009.
Photo Caption: Newfoundland & Labrador Premier Danny Williams (5th from left, front row) along with Peter Mansbridge (6th from left, back row) and REALTORSpresent Daffodil Place with their $100,000 cheque.
