Idonije inspires at Legacy & Lights gala
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The Keystone Centre Foundation’s inaugural Legacy & Lights gala dinner drew a sell-out crowd to the Keystone Centre’s Canada Room on Thursday night.
An estimated 530 people, including area business owners, current and former politicians and facility supporters, came to enjoy an entertaining night out — and potentially rub elbows with former NFL defensive lineman Israel Idonije, who returned to his hometown to take part as the evening’s guest speaker.
And true to form, Idonije offered dinner guests an inspirational look at how the Brandon community gave him all the opportunities to succeed — not just in football, but in his outlook on life as well.
Former NFL defensive lineman and evening keynote speaker Israel Idonije shares some memories with football coach Kevin Grindey — who used to coach Idonije at Vincent Massey High School in Brandon — during the inaugural Keystone Centre Foundation dinner on Thursday in the facility’s Canada Room. (Photos by Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)
While the evening gala was billed as a fundraiser for the foundation, executive director Barry Copper said Friday that he looked at the inaugural dinner as more of a “meet and greet” for the community to get acquainted with the organization.
“We’ve had a number of people reach out today (Friday) to ask about how to make donations, and how to get involved,” Cooper said. “We’re truly building a foundation — something strong and solid that will last.
“Our goal has been to introduce ourselves, and have conversations about what the Keystone does well, what it doesn’t do well and what we look like in 20 years.”
With the Keystone Centre having hosted three major events on Thursday, including the foundation gala, Cooper said most staff had Friday off, which will push back any fundraising totals they can make public until next week.
» The Brandon Sun
Keystone Centre Foundation executive director Barry Cooper provides opening remarks on Thursday evening.
A dinner guest is silhouetted against the large green and blue lights from the centre stage of the Keystone Centre’s Canada Room on Thursday evening, during the Keystone Centre Foundation’s inaugural Legacy & Lights gala dinner.
Freelance Brandon photographer Weichen Zhang and husband Huen Luo turned out for gala dinner.
