You are invited to the Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School
BEST OF ME GALA
On May 1st, 2021 at 7:30pm, Our virtual event will take place in your home, sharing it either with your Pod Party of 6 bubble friends/family or experienced individually!
OUR GOAL:
All funds raised by the Gala go to the bursary fund, which supports deserving students whose families could not otherwise afford to provide them with such a specialized learning experience. In 2019, our event raised just over $200,000 from our passionate donors, surpassing our goal of $150,000. With our student population still growing and programs expanding we have set this year’s goal at $200,000, which we hope again to surpass, with your help.
ABOUT THE GALA
The Best of Me Gala is a biannual event to raise money for the KGMS Bursary Fund which helps children with learning disabilities attend our school
About Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School:
- KGMS is a centre of educational excellence that empowers children with learning disabilities in a passionate, progressive and inspiring learning environment.
- Serving Vancouver and the Lower Mainland for over 40 years, our non-profit, fully accredited school is for students in kindergarten through 12.
- The personalized program at KGMS led by our highly-trained teachers and support staff, brings out the personal best of our 210 students.
Who are our Students?
- All of our students have two things in common: they learn differently and typically enter our school after experiencing difficulties in a previous learning environment.
- Our diverse student population includes diagnoses of dyslexia, learning challenges in reading and written output, autism, anxiety, and ADHD.
What is The Best of Me Gala?
- It is an event to raise funds exclusively for the KGMS bursary/scholarship fund, organized by parent volunteers.
- The hybrid event will consist of two potential levels of engagement, hosting a Pod Party with or without dinner for 6 bubble friends/family or on a completely individual family from the comfort of your own home, both levels livestream the event starting at 7:30pm.
- The Gala will be held on May 1st, 2021
- Tickets available in November 2020, stay tuned!
- Tickets are now available now! Click here to purchase.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
2021 Sponsors
Thank you to our Media Partners
Wine Sponsor
Official Catering Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Brad and Lisa Steiman Family Foundation

Brendan Murray from National Bank Financial
Gold Sponsors
Kwan Family
Silver Sponsors



The Lougheed Green Family



Bronze Sponsors


We are thankful to our 2019 donors for all their valued support.
Platinum Sponsors





Gold Sponsors





Silver Sponsors




Bronze Sponsors
Wine Sponsor

Cocktail Sponsor

Additional Sponsors

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Us!
AUCTION
There will be a Silent Auction with a dynamic array of items, such as weekend getaways, art pieces, service opportunities, active gear and apparel, specialty one-of-a-kind items and experiences and more! This will be available for viewing and bidding for seven days prior to the night of the event. There will also be a Live Auction of our top three packages on the night of the event – you don’t want to miss out on this! A link to our online auction platform will be available HERE closer to the auction date.
PURCHASE TICKETS
This year, The Best of Me Gala is going virtual, and here are the ways you can participate:
- Host a 6 person dinner party at your home starting at 6pm, which includes a signature KGMS meal, signature cocktail, wine and KGMS swag and décor. Fine dining and casual dining options available. Then join the livestream event at 7:30pm!
- Participate individually online, starting at 7:30pm, with a minimum $25 donation, which will go directly to the KGMS Bursary Fund. This package includes KGMS swag.
Tickets are now available now! Click here to purchase.
CONTACT US
For information concerning Sponsorship Opportunities, Donation of Auction Items, Tickets or monetary donations not found on this website, please email our team at gala@kgms.ca or contact our Chair Kirsten Ueland at 604-805-7688.
BECOME A SPONSOR
There are many ways to become a supporter of the KGMS bursary fund which helps students attend our school and discover their true aptitude and provide hope for their future. Please find our Sponsorship Opportunities below and feel free to contact our Director of Communications & Advancement Kaila Sept at ksept@kgms.ca with any questions. Thank you for supporting the students at KGMS!
Maplewood Sponsor – $25,000
- 6 Complimentary Tickets & Name Recognition on table
- Special mention by the host
- Premier branded recognition at the event, including: prominent placement on auction software and event slideshow & logo on school website
- KGMS donor wall recognition
- Special acknowledgment on KGMS social media
Diamond Sponsor – $10,000
- 10 Complimentary Tickets & Name Recognition on table
- Mention by the host
- Branded recognition at the event, including: placement on auction software and event slideshow & logo on school website
- KGMS donor wall recognition
- Special acknowledgment on KGMS social media
Platinum Sponsor – $5,000
- 10 Complimentary Tickets & Name Recognition on table
- Branded recognition at the event, including logo on school website
- KGMS donor wall recognition
- Special acknowledgment on KGMS social media
Gold Sponsor – $2,500
- 10 Complimentary Tickets & Name Recognition on table
- Branded recognition at the event
- Special acknowledgment on KGMS social media
- Logo on school website
Silver – $1,000 or more
- Branded recognition at the event
- Special acknowledgment on KGMS social media and website
Bronze – $500 or more
- Special acknowledgment on KGMS social media and website
A tax receipt is available for any donations over $20. Any amount is appreciated to support the KGSM bursary.
DONATE AUCTION ITEMS:
Donated Auction items should be new or unused. The only limit is your imagination! Some examples of past Auction Items are spa gift certificates, vacation rentals, gym memberships and personal training, art pieces, jewelry, sports clothing and equipment, excursions experiences, unique and one-of-a-kind memorabilia, classes – the list can be endless! Please find an Auction Item donation form HERE to fill be filled out for each donated item. If approaching local businesses or your own workplace for donations please feel free to distribute this information letter from the gala team HERE. Please also not that many workplaces have matching programs so enquire to see if this is possible for you to access. Items can be dropped off at the school office with prior notice to maintain social distancing procedures. The office number is 604-985-5224.