WINNIPEG, MB –The University of Winnipeg community is honoured that last night, Wednesday, March 26, award-winning singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk performed at a celebratory evening, raising $30,095 to be shared equally by UWinnipeg’s Opportunity Fund and War Child Canada.
More than 350 people packed the Pony Corral Restaurant and Bar in downtown Winnipeg to hear Kreviazuk play piano and sing, and bid on a wide range of auction items, including a private concert by Kreviazuk which went for a significant amount; a Red River cruise for six; a VIP Juno Awards Package for four; and a hamam and yoga weekend package for four.
The evening was emceed by Winnipeg entrepreneur Bill Knight, and was only possible because of generous donors and sponsors: Pony Corral Restaurant and Bar; Clarion Hotel; True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd.; Bison Transport; The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre; Yamaha St. John’s Music; Spalifestyle Fashion Boutique; Pre-Con Builders Ltd.; Mark Lash Fine Jewelry; 295 York Modern Steakhouse; Burrito Splendido; Five Small Rooms; Moule’; Banville and Jones; Juno Awards 2014; Universal Music Canada; Sony Music Canada; Rachel Mara; The Right Hand Girl and Broadway Florists.
“The event last evening, so generously supported by Chantal and the community, allows us to continue assisting Indigenous students, new Canadians and refugees, and students from inner-city neighbourhoods, through our Opportunity Fund fast-track bursaries,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “We are also now providing tuition waivers to youth leaving the child welfare system, a program pioneered at UWinnipeg that is being replicated across the country. This financial support has an immediate impact on real lives, and we see the results.”
To date, the Opportunity Fund has raised just over $ 3 million and 1,443 fast track bursaries have been awarded to students in financial need, supporting more than 238 UWinnipeg graduates. Last evening’s proceeds will go directly to the Chantal Kreviazuk Bursary offered within the Opportunity Fund.
Earlier in the day on March 26, Kreviazuk helped launch a new performing arts program within UWinnipeg’s Collegiate on campus, and she received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UWinnipeg for her wide-ranging contribution to the arts and her deep commitment to humanitarian and social justice issues.
The Opportunity Fund was launched in 2007 by Chantal Kreviasuk, a Collegiate graduate, and Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. The goal is to build a $10-million endowment fund to ensure that everyone, regardless of background and socio-economic status, has access to higher education and opportunities. The Opportunity Fund is supported by generous private and government donations. Visit: www.uwinnipegfoundation.ca
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MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
