By Joe Mancini
Published in June 1996
The Ninth Annual Mayor’s Dinner was very successful. Each year the Mayor’s Dinner serves to recognize people who have made significant voluntary contributions to the K-W area. We are proud to build on the good spirit of so many people who work with us on this project that cultivates a sense of community in a meaningful way.
Anna Kaljas certainly inspired the 500 people who attended the dinner. Ann Boyko David Cooke, and Luisa D’Amato gave testimony to the unique way that Anna touches everyone she meets. This extraordinary woman has filled the most elemental needs for food, shelter, love and warmth of the most disadvantaged and neglected people in our cities throughout more than forty years. She is a woman of heart, spunk, and self-less giving. And she is happy, laughs often and loves deeply.
Anna decries bureaucracy and red tape, choosing instead the more human response of meeting simple daily needs in a direct, personal way. This way of living is quite an inspiration to us as we work to build our community, value people for who they are, and break down the walls that needless bureaucracy creates in our lives.
Besides being a terrific evening, the Mayor’s Dinner helped us to raise almost $20,000 for The Working Centre and St. John’s Kitchen. We would like to thank Neil Aitchison for lending his wit and enthusiasm as Master of Ceremonies.
Our special thanks go out to:
Mayor Christy as host of the evening, Lawrence Bingeman and the staff at Bingeman Park and Kitchener Caterers, Dave Kropf and Encore Printing, Dominic Cardillo, John Juurinen and Rogers Cable, Jack Downes at Kabel’s, the Macpherson clan and friends, Peter Moberly, Larry Crawford and the Cen tro de Trabajo Band, Andy Nessner, Bill J anzen, Herb Siefer, Don Allen, Maurita McCrystal, Mary Graham, Jim Crawford, Brice Balmer, Margaret Motz, Margaret Nally, Fran Morrison and many others.
A special thank you to:
Elmira Poultry for their generous support as the Dinner’s Major Sponsor
The Patrons – Elmira Poultry, MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clark – son Planning Limited, Zehrs Markets, Laidlaw Waste Systems, and RDM – Research, Development & Manufacturing Corporation
Community Table Supporters
Haliman Construction, Andy Nessner, St. Louis Church, Waterloo Region Catholic School Board, St. John The Evangelist Anglican Church, Economical Mutual, First Echo Group, First Mennonite Church, Bingeman Park, Waterloo Christian Reformed Church, K-W Kinsmen
Contributors – Bob and Margaret Nally, Patrick Flynn, Stan Hybin, CHYM/CKGL Radio, Janzen Pianos The 120 businesses and individuals who contributed to the auction.
Plans have already begun for next year’s Tenth Mayor’s Dinner. We are looking for some new larger items for the live auction. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please call Stephanie at The Working Centre.
