Sons and Daughters of Italy

Sons and Daughters of Italy Gala - 2023
2023-03-18 18:30 - 22:00 (America/Winnipeg) | RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3J3, Canada
Order Sons and Daughters of Italy, Garibaldi Lodge held its 35th Annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in the York Ballroom of the RBC Convention Centre.

Presented by RBC, this acclaimed event not only demonstrated the philanthropic spirit of Sons of Italy, but also the caring and giving that Winnipeggers, their businesses and leaders are known for.

The 2023 Gala was held in support of Women’s Heart Health at the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation and we are so proud to have raised $270,000 for this worthwhile cause!

Attendees enjoyed a welcoming reception, an outstanding five course dinner, fine wines, engaging (and short) presentations, and wonderful music that had the dance floor full.

In Support of Women’s Heart Health Researchthrough the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation

The 35th Annual Sons and Daughters of Italy Gala is in support of Women’s Heart Health Research at the St. Boniface Hospital. Heart disease is the number one killer of women worldwide and it affects women of all ages. Women are just as likely as men to experience a stroke or heart attack; only their risk factors differ.

Pre-menopausal women who have heart attacks experience worse outcomes than men of a similar age. Post-menopause, women are more likely than men to experience certain kinds of heart failure, are more dramatically affected and are more likely to die. There is an immediate need to bridge the knowledge gap which informs the current approach to diagnosis and treatment of women with cardiovascular disease compared to men.

Currently, Manitoba is the only province in Canada without a dedicated Women’s Heart Health program. The long-term goal of this program is to better understand the sex and gender-specific differences in cardiovascular disease outcomes, address the needs of Indigenous and other under-represented women and establish a dedicated women’s heart health clinic serving Manitoba women.

RBC and Sons & Daughters of Italy, with the support of our Gala Sponsors, will provide crucial salary and research funding, enabling the recruitment and retention of brilliant researchers who will carry this work forward.

Honorary Co-Chairs

Mabel Garcea, Garcea Group of Companies

Mabel Garcea, is a multi-business owner alongside her family, ranging from interior design to various facets of the construction industry. In addition is a commissioner of oath and wedding officiant.

Mabel has devoted countless hours on fundraising boards for Winnipeg hospitals. She has devoted countless hours to fundraising for Winnipeg hospitals and brings a strong level of commitment to each foundation that she supports. Mabel has devoted countless hours on the fundraising boards for St. Boniface, HSC, and seven oaks hospital. Mabel brings a strong level of commitment to each foundation that she is a part of. She has the distinctive ability to create a connection of trust. Her capacity to listen to the needs of our health care system, and create a well-executed strategy, allows her to focus on specific objectives.

Combined with her years of experience, Mabel has a solid foundation rooted in community engagement and determination to get the job done and done well. Her present and most passionate endeavours are advocating for women’s heart health here in Manitoba.

Elba Haid, President and CEO, RealCare Inc.

Elba Haid, an entrepreneur, and philanthropist, who is passionate about helping and serving others. Elba contributes her time and expertise to several philanthropic endeavours in the community with a focus on the Arts and advancing women and women’s issues in this province. Elba has been a supporter of arts and culture in Winnipeg as a passionate volunteer for Manitoba Opera, The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. This, in addition to her contributions to the elder-care community. In 1995, Haid founded Realcare Inc., a primary-care provider for elders in Winnipeg, with the mission to set and maintain a high standard of care in the industry, driven by the belief Manitobans deserve to be cared for with dignity and compassion.

Elba believes in giving back to the community. She felt a very strong commitment to take on the role of honourary co-chair in this initiative because of the devastating impact of heart disease and stroke among women of all ages. Haid lost her mother to stroke when she was only 14 years old and growing up without a mother had a profound impact on her life. She believes in doing everything possible to save other young women from a similar experience.

Elba Haid is a trailblazer in this life-saving campaign, and now Manitoba has six founding members, the most in Western Canada. Elba Haid – “I am honoured to be one of the Honorary Chairs of the Sons and Daughters of Italy Gala with the proceeds going to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation Women’s Heart Health Research”.

Canadian Italian Business Professional Association (CIBPA)2022 Entrepreneur of the Year CIBPA

Having successfully managed and completed north of $1Billion of commercial projects in every sector across Western Canada, Mr. Bova as Founder, President and CEO of Pretium Projects Ltd. and Pretium Construction West, has become one of the fastest growing and highly sought after design builders and construction managers throughout the prairie provinces and Northwest Ontario.

His proprietary PRETIUM Lean Construction approach, emphasizing collaboration with Owners, Design, and Trade Partners, mitigating risk, eliminating waste and maximizing Client’s return on their investment, from the preconstruction phase through to Project Handover has resulted in Pretium becoming the preferred builder for major national and international brands.

Mr. Bova was honoured for his considerable achievements with our highest professional award on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the RBC Convention Centre.

Entertainment

Dinner Entertainment by Cec Lopez

Music is a conversation with anything and everything greater than oneself. With each song, Cec’s voice breathes honesty and intimacy.

The producer and songwriter, who has lived in Spain, the United States, and Canada, pulls influences from each country. Their music emphasizes the community feel of the Spanish sobremesa, heavy choral elements gained during their time as a member of the Dartmouth College Gospel Choir, and intentional lyrics having studied with contemporary American poet Vievee Francis.

Lopez has also recently been chosen for the First Up with RBCxMusic program (along with fellow local artist Stun), a program dedicated to showcasing and elevating emerging Canadian artists, and is excited about what it means for the development of their career.

Presented by First Up with RBCXMusic. Hear Cec Lopez on YouTube

Big Band Dance Music by the Big City All Star Band

The Big City All Star Band was formed as a select group of Winnipeg’s best talent and have quickly risen to become the area’s busiest high-profile band. Playing nationally and internationally with a highly diverse repertoire, this band has a reputation of always delivering a fun energetic show that’s sure to get you dancing.

Sponsors

Major Sponsors

Corporate Sponsors

Friends of the Gala

Claire Giavedoni

Jerry Kruczek

Joe Strazzulo

Gallery

Gala NightSaturday March 18th

President’s Reception

Friday March 17th

The “President’s Reception” is an invitation-only event to thank the major sponsors and contributors of the Gala for their support.

Sons and Daughters of Italy - Encore / Gala 2021
2021-05-01 18:30 - 22:00 | MB
Bockstael Construction was proud to present the 2021 Sons and Daughters of Italy – Garibaldi Lodge Virtual Encore Event on May 1, 2021 with proceeds benefiting the Bruce Oake Memorial Foundation.

In 2021, the Sons and Daughters of Italy, Garibaldi Lodge selected the Bruce Oake Memorial Foundation as the benefactor for our Encore Event. “Encore,” because in 2018, the Sons and Daughters of Italy raised an impressive $250,000 for the Bruce Oake Memorial Foundation. The large gift was recognized by the foundation by naming the stage in the gymnasium of Winnipeg’s new Bruce Oake Recovery Centre the Sons and Daughters of Italy Stage.

As in-person events have been affected by the pandemic, we found it fitting to host our 2021 “Encore Event” from the Sons and Daughters of Italy stage in the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. At the time of our event the recovery centre will be only days away from its official opening. Therefore, we raised funds to support to the Bruce Oake Memorial Foundation’s “Save A Life Campaign.”

Our Title Sponsor for the evening, Bockstael Construction, was responsible for the construction of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. Bockstael stepped up on a regular basis and we are so proud to have had them as our Title Sponsor for this event.

This event featured an evening of delicious food, fine wine, wonderful friends, great fun and more importantly provided support for those suffering from addiction. Participants saw a few special cameo appearances from our exciting guests, had a chance to win some great prizes and were mesmerized by the talent of Winnipeg’s own illusionist Darcy Oake.

Finally, the evening was capped off with our feature DJ and the ultimate at home dance party!

SDOI Encore 2021 was presented by:

Sons and Daughters of Italy Gala 2020
2020-10-03 09:30 - 22:00 | MB
Gala was Broadcast Live Online

We were excited to present the first Sons and Daughters of Italy Virtual Event on Saturday, October 3, 2020.

To view a recording of the gala:

on Facebook, click here: www.facebook.com/SDOIwinnipeg

on Youtube, click here: www.youtube.com/SOIwpg

The 2020 SDOI Gala, in support of the Clan Mothers Healing Village, featured greetings from our President, Berardino Petrelli, RBC Regional President Kim Ulmer, and various members of government.

This evening acknowledged and celebrated our Heart of the Lion award winner, Gerry Lomonaco. We were also honoured to hear from individuals from our charity of choice, Clan Mothers Healing Village.

A Message from the SDOI President, Berardino Petrelli

I would like to first thank each and everyone who purchased tickets or sponsorships and for your continued support to the Sons and Daughters of Italy (SDOI) and Clan Mothers – Healing Village, the 2020 SDOI Gala charity of choice. Over the last few months sponsors and ticketholders were contacted and were offered the opportunity to donate their sponsorship or ticket cost, in-whole or in-part, to SDOI to cover Gala expenses with additional proceeds donated to the Clan Mothers.

An overwhelming number have generously donated their sponsorships and ticket cost and to them we say THANK YOU for making this year’s SDOI Virtual Event possible. To those unable to make donations at this time, we also thank you and appreciate your continued support.

Our SDOI Virtual Event was held online and streamed through facebook live for everyone to see.
Berardino PetrelliPresident – Sons and Daughters of Italy – Garibaldi Lodge

Our 2020 Charity: Clan Mothers Healing Village

The 34th Annual Gala is in support of Clan Mothers Healing Village, a group of facilities that will provide mid-term to long-term support to women who have been victims of multi-generational trauma, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking as they begin their healing journey.

Clan Mothers will create an Indigenous model of healing and education focused on the restoration of our communities based on the matrilineal values and principles of their original self-governance systems. Clan Mothers is committed to the creation of a contemporary, sustainable Healing Village governed by a distinctive Indigenous council (see aerial layout).

The heart and spirit of the Village is the resurgence of Indigenous methodologies and world views to heal the most important beings in communities across Canada, the mothers and daughters of the next generation.

Clan Mothers’ Objectives:

To provide a safe and nurturing land-based healing environment for sexually exploited women and girls.

To develop collaborative, innovative social enterprises that will sustain educate train and prepare our women for a healthy future.

To have a knowledge centre that will facilitate the offering of programs through partnership

For more information on Clan Mothers Healing Village, please visit clanmothers.ca

Funds donated by the Sons and Daughters of Italy are allocated specifically to the Clan Mothers Healing Village Building Fund, to aid in the building of the Clan Mothers Healing Village.

Honourary Chairs

Elder Mae Louise Campbell

Kristie Pearson-Pollard

Carmine Zirino

Heart of the Lion Lifetime Achievement Award

The Sons and Daughters of Italy “Heart of the Lion” Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has tirelessly given of themselves and has made significant contributions to the community. The “Heart of the Lion” Lifetime Achievement Award is a special honour bestowed by the Sons and Daughters of Italy, Garibaldi Lodge.

At this year’s virtual event, Gerardo “Gerry” Lomonaco will receive the Sons and Daughters of Italy “Heart of the Lion” Lifetime Achievement Award! Please join us in congratulating Gerry on this prestigious award.

Join With Us!

The 34th Annual Sons of Italy Gala is again presented by our title sponsor RBC. Kim Ulmer and her team at RBC have been tremendous supporters of our Gala for a long time. As Title Sponsor, they have for many years shown their commitment to Sons and Daughters of Italy, our Gala and to the wonderful charities we have supported.

We need your help too! It is through the participation of our valued sponsors that we raise the money that we use to support this year’s Charity of Choice. Please check out our full list of last year’s sponsors, and support them too, as they have supported us.

Sponsors

Title Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Entertainment Sponsor

VIP Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Wine Co-Sponsor

Wine Co-Sponsor

Print Media Sponsor

Corporate Sponsors

3 Phase Electrical Ltd.

A&S Homes

Albensi and Associates

Ambassador Mechanical LP

Battlefield Equipment

Bird Construction

Bruce Oake Foundation

BMO Bank of Montreal

Catholic Health Corporation of Manitoba

Capital Commercial Real Estate Services

Caspian Construction

Ceridian Canada Inc.

CGM Engineering Ltd.

CMLS Financial

Concord Projects Ltd.

Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd.

De Luca Brothers

Deloitte Canada

Deer Lodge Centre Foundation

Dimension Insurance

Exemplar Developments

Fillmore Riley LLP.

Global Philanthropic Inc.

Holy Rosary Church

HUB International

Kontamanis Graumann Smith MacMillan Inc.

KPMG MSLP

LaFarge CDA Inc.

Mercedes Benz Winnipeg

Narratives Inc.

Nejmark Architect

Olexa Developments

Payworks

PCL Constructors Canada Inc.

Pizza Hotline

Pretium Projects Inc.

Pullan Kammerloch Frohlinger

RBC Convention Centre

Richardson GMP

Rogers Canada

Shindico Realty

SI Alarms

Stride Developments Corporation

Subterranean Manitoba Ltd.

Sysco Food Services

Taylor McCaffrey LLP

TDS Law LLP

Terracon Development Ltd.

The Hive

The North West Company

Thermo Design Insulation

Transcona Roofing

WRE Development Ltd.
