| Beyond Words
Peter Mansbridge hosts two events
that raise almost $100,000 for literacy!
On July 9th 2007, CBC Chief Correspondent Peter Mansbridge hosted Literacy & Beyond, a star-studded wine and food event at beyond restaurant + lounge. Almost 200 guests gathered to raise a glass of BC’s finest in support of literacy. VIPs included Senator Larry Campbell, Premier Gordon Campbell, and many CBC celebs including Rick Cluff, Gloria Macarenko, Shelagh Rogers, Cecelia Walters, Jurgen Gothe, Fred Lee and more.
 |
 |
| Rick Cluff, Premier Gordon Campbell and Peter Mansbridge |
Caroline Best, Senator Larry Campbell, Gloria Macarenko, Peter Armstrong |
Guests tasted some of BC’s most coveted wines from Black Hills, Blasted Church, Blue Mountain, CedarCreek, Herder, Mission Hill, Poplar Grove, Sandhill, Stag’s Hollow, Wild Goose and more while sampling mouth-watering fare from beyond Chef Paul Marshall’s summer menu, all against a backdrop of jazz from Vancouver’s Amanda Tosoff Trio.
Jurgen Gothe at tasting table |
Guests at Literacy & Beyond |
Amanda Tosoff Trio |
 |
Peter Mansbridge and Premier Gordon Campbell each spoke, sharing humorous anecdotes and more serious words about their passion for helping people attain strong literacy skills. The event raised almost $30,000 to support Literacy BC.
Photo
on left: Premier
Gordon Campbell, Literacy BC's Sarah Housser, and Senator Larry
Campbell |
The legendary 17th annual PGI Golf Tournament for Literacy BC founded by Peter Gzowski, was held on July 10th. With the help of host Peter Mansbridge, “Celebrity Putter” Ross Rebagliati, Senator Larry Campbell, CBC’s Rick Cluff, generous sponsors, including Mercer Human Resource Consulting and Marsh Canada, and the 144 golfers who played, the 2007 PGI raised almost $70,000.
Photo on right: Peter Mansbridge and Ross Rebagliati at the PGI
|
|
 |
A few special highlights of the PGI included the presentation of the Co-operators Learner Achievement Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of an adult learner in BC. This year’s recipient was Rav Bal of Nanaimo who at 27 went back to school and overcame significant learning challenges to achieve first class marks. Rav is now working on completing his grade 12 academic subjects after which he plans to train as a power-line technician.
Photo on left: Peter Mansbridge, Rav Bal and Peter Podovinikoff |
Another highlight was the Gzowski Award, presented annually to the person who “gets” the spirit of what the PGIs are all about. For the first time the Gzowski Award went to a team, Dan Dere, Doug Cameron, Dennis Rigo and Dean Roosdahl, who have golfed in the PGIs for more than a decade and who exemplify the spirit of what the PGIs are all about. Peter’s daughter Alison Gzowski flew in from Toronto to present the award.
Photo on right: Dan Dere, Dean Roosdahl, Alison Gzowski, Nick Prince, Dennis Rigo and Doug Cameron. |
 |
Celebrated Canadian broadcaster Peter Gzowski founded the PGI Golf Tournaments in 1986 with the goal of raising one million dollars for a lifelong passion – literacy. More than 20 years later, that initial gesture has grown into a national series of golf tournaments that have raised more than $11 Million for literacy programs across Canada.
Canada’s literacy problem
The Canadian labour market has changed dramatically over the past few decades, with unskilled work becoming increasingly rare. Recent studies indicate that 70% of all new jobs created in Canada require some form of post secondary education. The fact is that more than 40% of work age British Columbians lack the necessary basic literacy skills required for successful participation in our rapidly changing labour market.
The funds raised through Literacy & Beyond and the PGI support Literacy BC’s provincial efforts to promote and support literacy and learning skills for all British Columbians.
For more information contact:
|
