A wonderful evening at the City of Pickering Mayor's Gala

Mayor Dave Ryan and his wife Anne were greeted at the entrance by a pioneer family at this year's Gala.

This year’s City of Pickering Mayor’s Gala was a milestone event for the Image is Everything campaign, with the Gala set to reach it’s tremendous pledge of $250,000 to help bring an MRI to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.

“Having been involved right from the beginning of this campaign, and having the opportunity to be there as the MRI was delivered to our community hospital this past August, I feel a great sense of pride in being in a position where we will reach our pledge to provide $250,000 to Image is Everything,” says Mayor Dave Ryan. “The very simple purpose of the Mayor’s Gala is to present a wonderful evening and use the occasion to collect significant financial support for important causes that support Pickering’s residents and contribute so greatly to the social fabric of our community."

See all of the photos from the evening here.

This annual black-tie affair was again held at the Pickering Recreation Centre, which this year was transformed by the theme for 2011, “Reflections in Time”. With Pickering celebrating its bicentennial all of this year, Gala organizers took this special opportunity to incorporate Pickering’s proud past into this year’s event. The event featured the amazing talent of Pickering's own singing star, Sarah Slean. To see her performance, follow this link.

Gala Committee Chair Diana Hills-Milligan points to the volunteers and members of the organizing committee as the key to the Gala and its success over the years. Their inspiration and creativity are what sets the event apart, she says. And when it comes to making the event a financial success, Ms. Hills-Milligan is truly proud of the overwhelming support local companies bring to the table, year after year.

“None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support of our generous and dedicated sponsors, so I have to take this opportunity to thank each of them for their amazing and continued support of this Gala,” says Ms. Hills-Milligan. “With all of the hard work leading up to this, I really enjoyed seeing the theme of this year’s event on display, with Pickering’s history truly coming alive at this year’s Gala.”