Upcoming Giggle Gala adds humour to fundraising

The third-annual Geordi’s Giggle Gala – scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6 at the CHIMO Hotel – is the main fundraiser driving One Boy, One Van, the non-profit foundation run by the east end’s Amanda George.

Inspiration for creating the charity group, which provides financial aid to families requiring an accessible vehicle for a child with severe mobility impairments, came after George worked tirelessly from the fall of 2006 until late 2007 to raise almost $60,000 for a specially-modified van for her 14-year-old-son, Geordi Henry.

Geordi was diagnosed from birth with a number of different illnesses, including severe cerebral palsy, scoliosis, microcephaly – an abnormally small skull – and a seizure disorder. Because of muscle tightness and dislocated hips, Geordi, who is just over three feet tall, is unable to sit upright, and must rely on others to help him turn, roll, lift and carry him.

Motivated by the challenge behind raising funds for her vehicle, George launched One Boy, One Van last fall, receiving charitable status for the group earlier this year. Having raised more than $8,000 from last year’s Giggle Gala – marking the majority of the group’s fundraising efforts for 2008 – George says she’s hopeful this year will also see a successful evening.

Next week’s event will include a buffet dinner, silent auction, comedy show courtesy of Great North Talent and a raffle, she continues, with tickets already on sale. “It’s so fun,” George describes. “It’s a blast. We have a great lineup of comedians. It’s a really nice chance to get out, have a great meal and have a great laugh.”

One new addition to the annual evening is the raffle, she recounts, explaining the idea came from approaching WestJet for silent auction prizes. Instead, they offered to donate with the agreement it be raffled off, George adds, meaning a new way to raise money at the Giggle Gala.

Otherwise, the past year has been an exciting one for One Boy, One Van, she continues, becoming a registered charity and approving two families to receive funding for wheelchair-accessible vans.

However, “getting additional funding can take a very lengthy amount of time,” George explains, and will likely be necessary to supplement both. “The process of approaching March of Dimes (and other groups can be long) … and depending on the cost of the vehicle, they will require other funding.”

Right now, One Boy, One Van is able to offer $2,000 to families for furthering their search for a vehicle, she recounts, setting the amount in order to assure numerous individuals can be helped. “We’re hopeful we can increase that in the future,” George says, adding the group currently has capacity to aid another three families and is currently awaiting applications. Geordi’s Giggle Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased by contacting Amanda George at 613-447-0728. For more information, please visit www.oneboyonevan.ca