By Dave Thomas
Published in June 2009
Imagine an intimate, hospitable get-together – that’s how the 22nd Annual Mayors’ Dinner turned out, even with more than 780 people gathered in the vast expanse of Marshall Hall at Bingemans! The convivial atmosphere was reflected in the capacity crowd gathered to pay tribute to the Guests of Honour, ardent sport boosters John and Donna Weber.
The couple were fêted for their decades-long contributions to amateur sports, from managing teams to feeding hundreds of tournament participants. For the Webers, supporting team sports is just as important as the strong bonds of family, friends and community that were clearly evident at the annual fundraiser.
This year’s event, held April 4, raised more than $58,000 to support the work of The Working Centre and St. John’s Kitchen. A good chunk of that total came from one live auction item – an opportunity to have dinner with John and Donna at their home! Three couples got to enjoy a multicourse meal (specially prepared by Donna) that featured such delicacies as an asparagus proscutto wrap appetizer, Madeira and mushroom stuffed tenderloin, and a white chocolate peanut cranberry bark dessert.
Thank you to all who make the Mayors’ Dinner successful
Special thanks to Mayor Carl Zehr, Mayor Brenda Halloran, Lorna Van Mossel, Arleen Macpherson, Roman Dubinski, Neil Aitchison, Lawrence Bingeman, Fred Walker, Dominic Cardillo, Margaret Motz, Joyce Stankiewicz, Murray Haase, Don Allen, the individuals and businesses who contributed to the auction, and many others.
Thank you to our generous Patrons
Bell, Church of St. John the Evangelist, Erb and Good Funeral Home, Ahmet Jakupi, Kitchener Dodgers, Kitchener Hockey, MacNaughton Hersmen Britton Clarkson Planning Limited, RDM Corporation, Bob and Judy Shantz, and Strassburger Windows and Doors.
Thank you to our Community Tables
144 Park Limited, Athlete of the Year Program, Bingemans, Civitan Sports – Waterloo Region, Jim & Sue Hallman, Inter County Baseball, Kitchener Downtown Business Association, Kitchener Fastball Promotions, Kitchener Public Library Board Trustees, Kitchener Sports Association, Margaret Motz, MTE Consultants Inc., Margaret & Bob Nally, RBJ Schlegel Holdings, Region of Waterloo, Susan & Marvin Rempel, St. Jacob’s Country Inn, Superior Memorials, Township of Woolwich, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Waterloo County Hall of Fame, Waterloo Regional Police Association, John & Donna Weber, and Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network.
Thank you to our Mayors’ Dinner Contributors
Bob & Terry Ballantyne, Joyce Bell, BLT Farms Inc., Brava Tex, Peter Braid, M.P., J. Howard Butler, Dom & Mary Cardillo, Century Group Financial Solutions, Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty, Estelle Enns, Erb & Erb Insurance, Pat & Noreen Flynn, Ray Gabel, Gerry & Carol Gerber, Michael Graham & Hulene Montgomery, Grand River Valley Newspapers, Cathy Gravelle & Peter Ciuciura, Carl & Eleanor Kaufman, John Kokko & Sue Anderson, Theron & Joy Kramer, Anne Miller, Ken & Marilyn Murray, Richard & Karen Neil, Frank & Cleo O’ Malley, Carol Oner, Quarry Integrated Communications, Ratz Bechtel Funeral Home, The Record, Audrey Reitzel, Snyder Metal Fabricating, Joyce & Bill Stankiewicz, Bryan & Joan Stewart, Vikki & James Tait, Edmund & Mary Jac Tell, Tristram Realty Associates Inc. Brokerage, United Way of Kitchener Waterloo & Area, Kirsten Van Drunen & Peter Shirk.
