Archive for the ‘Safe Haven Foundation’ Category

Congratulations to the Safe Haven Foundation!

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Karen & John Sherbut, Founders of the Safe Haven Foundation.

Happy New Year! We wanted to share some great news that we recently received. You may recall that in October 2011, we participated in The Safe Haven Street Of Dreams Gala Fundraiser. Along with our trade partners Digital Lifestyles, 4 Star Electric & VanGo Artisans, Pinnacle was pleased to donate  a Premiere Home Theatre Package valued at $25,000.00 for the silent auction. Karen & John Sherbut, founders of Safe Haven Foundation, sent us a wonderful letter of thanks announcing that the 2011 Gala was their most successful event yet;  a record number of 700 guests attended and revenue projections were exceeded with over $250,000 in net proceeds raised. The auction in and of itself raised $135,000! We are extremely proud to team up with this incredible organization that does so much to build a better future for Calgary’s vulnerable youth. Congratulations to everyone involved in this event; we look forward to continuing to support Safe Haven’s efforts in 2012!

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Pinnacle Group’s Support & Attendance at Safe Haven’s 11th Annual Street of Dreams Gala

Friday, October 29th, 2010

The Safe Haven Foundation’s annual Street of Dreams Gala is one of the most prestigious philanthropic events of our city. Bringing out the generosity of Calgary’s compassionate business community, it is a fun and lively evening of incredible food & drink, mingling of business owners and celebrity personalities, extraordinary silent & live auction items, and most importantly the continued support of our city’s most vulnerable citizens; our at-risk children & youth.

Each year Paul and Elaine Klassen, along with 6 honoured guests, attend the Gala to support the ongoing passion of Karen & John Sherbut and the Safe Haven Foundation. Attending the event with Paul & Elaine this year were Pinnacle’s Production Manager, Barry Johnson, and his wife, Lisa; Pinnacle’s Interior Designer, Tiffany Gibbons, and her husband, Marc; as well as a past Pinnacle client, Rhonda Bean, and one of her close friends Cindy Verot; both of which had heard of the Gala and were interested in experiencing and supporting it themselves!

This year’s event was held in the first-class venue of the Suncor Energy Centre; complimentary underground valet parking greeted the arriving guests, and upon exiting our vehicles, we were ushered up to the festivities by attentive staff. Stepping through the doors to the gala, we were welcomed with a live orchestral ensemble, champagne, and complimentary photographs were offered as a memorable keepsake of the evening! As a fun & unique spin on this year’s event, instead of a formal sit-down dinner, the “Street of Dreams” was lined with gourmet Chef’s Stations; each of which was paired with a Signature Drink and fabulous ‘Live’ Silent Auction Item. The food was outstanding, and ranged from Lobster Corn Dogs and Sunchoke Soup, to Seared Lamb Lollipops and Sushi Pizza! A Dessert and Gelato bar satisfied the sweet cravings with items such as Mini Charlottes and Dessert Shots.

Paul checking out the autographed jersey

Once again the auction items were incredible, with both a ‘Live’ and Silent Auction; the ‘Live’ items were bid on throughout the evening and ranged from a Viking Ultimate Kitchen (valued at $15,000) to a week for 6 on a West Coast Luxury Yacht – complete with full crew and provisions, to a 4’x8’ original painting by Jason Gogo. Pinnacle Group donated 3 items to the Silent Auction this year; a Waterboss 950 water softener & filtration system complete with recirculation pump contributing to thousands of litres of water savings per year for the fortunate bidder, a beautiful Blanco granite double sink & Kohler faucet, and a complete kitchen backsplash tile package. Each item included full installation, and all were well received by the bidding population! In addition; Paul had the good fortune to tee up with a former Pinnacle client; John Bean, who as VP of finance for the Calgary Flames graciously facilitated a signed Flames Jersey and stick…thank you John! The other auction items were kindly provided by long-time Pinnacle trades; Canyon Plumbing and Floors with Flair…thank you to these fine businesses for their generosity in this philanthropic endeavour!

Additional to the fantastic food and auction items, were various forms of entertainment – both roaming as well as fixed! Numerous stilt walkers mingled throughout the crowd, chatting with guests and periodically dancing to the music! A Caricature Artist offered cartoon renditions of anyone brave enough to sit still for 10 minutes – both Paul & Elaine and Barry & Lisa took the opportunity, with undeniably humorous results! Amongst the evenings other entertainments were the West Jet Balloon Pop, Tarot Card Readers, and live entertainment in the Dreamer’s Lounge by Zoe Theodorou.

Safe Haven and their partner, Brookfield Properties, once again surpassed themselves in the coordination and execution of a fabulous event; every detail was with the usual taste and style this foundation is known for. We will be looking forward to sponsoring and supporting next year’s Street of Dreams Gala! Thank you once again to Karen & John Sherbut, and all the staff, committee members and volunteers of Safe Haven Foundation for a fabulous 2010 Gala Event!

How's the weather up there?!

Barry & Lisa having fun with the Caricature

Marc & Tiffany enjoying the incredible food & drinks

Paul & Elaine with Karen Sherbut

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Pinnacle Group Renovations Shares in Safe Haven Foundation’s Passion for Saving Calgary’s At Risk Youth One Life at a Time.

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Since 1999, Pinnacle Group Renovations has proudly supported Calgary’s Safe Haven  

As dedicated parents to four of their own children, Paul Klassen, GM of Pinnacle Group Renovations, and his wife Elaine believed in the mission and vision of this incredible non-profit organization committed to assisting Calgary’s vulnerable and at risk children and youth. Driving Pinnacle Group Renovations business philosophy is Paul’s belief in creating homes for life – making the home a family’s favourite place to be. However, for many children, home is far from a haven – a warm and wonderful sanctuary filled with love. It is for these children that Safe Haven Foundation is dedicated to helping stay off the streets and in school, giving them their future back. The Safe Haven Foundation was established in 1996, providing an innovative approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and youth homelessness. With the goal to reduce the number of girls living on the street by changing one life at a time, the Live Long Homes Program (now known as Haven’s Way), was opened in 2000 and is operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary .

Safe Haven Foundation

Paul & Elaine have always held family values close to their heart, but an experience in their own lives provided them with further inspiration to support the valuable efforts of the Safe Haven Foundation. In 1998, Paul & Elaine found themselves in a position to help a family they had known from out of province locate their daughter who was living in a vulnerable situation, at times faced with fending for herself in very difficult circumstances in the inner-city of Calgary. Through a series of conversations, compassion and reassurance, they convinced this young teen to leave this behind and seek safety and refuge in their family home. Fast forward 15 years, and this once at risk teen is a vibrant, grateful and healthy contributing member of our society, running her own successful business enterprise. The Klassen’s consider her part of the family and feel fortunate to have had their lives and the lives of their children enriched by this experience. It solidified for them the idea that we truly are capable of positively impacting the lives of others, one individual at a time.

The Klassen’s have instilled their passion for helping Calgary’s youth into the corporate culture at Pinnacle Group where staff and trades have opportunities to contribute to this worthwhile foundation by providing volunteer labour and supplies to refurbish some of Haven’s Way safe homes used to house former street youth. As well, for the last several years at the Safe Haven Foundation’s annual gala, Paul & Elaine sponsor a table where they bring 6 guests to enjoy the evening’s events; a class act fundraising evening, bringing out Calgary’s caring business community as well as some of Calgary’s fantastic celebrity personalities. Paul is currently putting together a silent auction package from Pinnacle Group Renovations for this year’s upcoming Safe Haven Foundation Gala on October 23rd, 2010, which promises to be another premiere event featuring an exciting night of entertainment followed by both a silent and live auction fundraiser.

Last year at the gala, Paul decided to place a bid on one of the fun auction items – a luxurious Bentley for a weekend and two night’s accommodations at the Banff Springs Hotel. To Paul’s surprise he won the bid and recently enjoyed what he deems as the best ride of his life!! As Paul puts it, “I had boyish laugher coming out of my belly that I didn’t know existed!” He thoroughly put to the test this lavish Continental GT Convertible’s 550 horsepower engine, taking in the beauty of the scenery and wildlife surrounding him through Kananaskis Country, Golden, Jasper and Longview – a ride he and his wife Elaine won’t soon forget!

For more information on how you can make a difference in the life of an at risk youth or for details on attending one of Calgary’s premiere philanthropic events, visit www.safehavenfoundation.ca .

Okay Sir, You know that 550hp is fast right?

I Love you! Are you ready for a spin?

Looking Great Mr. and Mrs. Klassen!

Now this is truly fun!

Accommodations at the Banff Springs Hotel. "Paul, you can park the car now. It is time to check in."

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