By Joe Mancini
Published in June 2001
The 14th Annual Mayor’s Dinner was a wonderful community celebration. 550 people gathered to recognize Chloe’s unique ability to build webs of friendship and social action rooted in social justice and equality. The evening reflected this in many ways. Michael Higgins, President of St. Jerome’s University, as Master of Ceremonies, brought his usual dignified presence to the events that swirled around him. Dominic Cardillo, as auctioneer, ably supported by Michael, provided both live comedy and creative auctioneering. The live auction raised over $7,000. It was great for all to see former Mayor Cardillo take part in the Mayor’s Dinner program.
Lisbeth Haddad hosted the tribute to Chloe by integrating Caribbean music and poetry, Janet Forde read Maya Angelou’s, “Still I Rise” and Jessica Yamoa gave testimony to Chloe’s work with youth. By the end of the tribute Lisbeth’s Jamaican dance song brought people on stage dancing with everyone else twirling colourful napkins over their heads.
It was a fitting demonstration of community connectiveness where the whole room shared the spirit of Caribbean culture. Chloe rounded off the evening with a beautiful speech that used stories to connect with the many people who have been part of her journey.
This year Bell Canada offered a major Community sponsorship, substantially contributing towards dinner expenses. A special Thank You to our generous patrons who have contributed in many ways to the success of the Mayors’ Dinner: MHBC – MacNaughton Hersman Britton Clarkson Planning Limited, Terraces by Hallman, Zehrs Markets, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, Metro- Karges, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, RDM- Research and Development and Manufacturing Corporation
Thank you to our community table supporters who are a very important part of each Mayor’s Dinner: BDO Dunwoody, Bingemans, Congress of Black Women – Waterloo Chapter, Cowan Wright Ltd., Roman Dubinski, Ethos Consulting, First Echo Group, Kitchener Downtown Business Association, K-W Kinsmen Club, Rosseau Rehabilitation Inc., Royal Bank, St. Jerome’s University, St. Louis Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Hospital, Dwyer Sullivan, and TD Canada Trust.
Thank you t the Statute Steel Band – a local Caribbean-Canadian family band made up of Wendell Claxton, Emelda Claxton and their three children Chauntay, Andre and Jenneisa.
An important part of each dinner is the 200 businesses and individuals who contribute auction items. This auction is a diverse collection of dinners, art work by local artists, house hold items, clothing, gift baskets and local theatre packages.
Thank You to those who helped make The Mayor’s Dinner so successful: Mayor Carl Zehr, Brian Lockwood of Bell Canada, Lisbeth Haddad, Ro man Dubinski, Neil Aitchison, Michael Higgins, Lawrence Bingeman, Fred Walker, Bingemans, Dominic Cardillo, Margaret Motz, Dave Krpf at Encore Printing, Freemans Formal Wear, Murray Haase, Andy Nessner, Don Allen, Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flowers, and many others.
