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Our Volunteers

Visions is driven by an incredible team of volunteers and sponsors who provide their time, energy, and expertise — as well as goods and services — to help minimize the event's expenses. The Victoria Hospitals Foundation is grateful to the many volunteers who make this evening possible every year.

Our Steering Committee coordinates the logistics to ensure Visions raises as much as possible for the hospitals.

Our Auction Committee coordinates the solicitation and attainment of live and silent auction items.

Our Volunteer Committee assists in recruiting and training more than 50 volunteers from within the Vancouver Island Health Authority and the community at-large.

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2009 Steering Committee

Walt Nicholson, Chair

2009 marks Walt Nicholson's inaugural year as Chair of Visions. He has been involved with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation since the "Bed Races" in the early 1990s and first volunteered for Visions in 1998. Walt was the Visions technical producer until 2007 when he took on the role of sponsorship chair for two years. While the new role as event chair takes him even further away from his beloved audiovisual toys, Walt says he enjoys the new challenge and working with Foundation staff and Visions committee members.

"Visions has always held a special place in my heart. Truth be told, the original Visions of Sugarplums event in the old Eaton Centre was the very first fundraiser where I actually bought my own ticket. It always amazes me to think how far it has come.

The night is such a special one — so many happy people, dressed to the nines in such a joyous and generous atmosphere.

Between our guests, sponsors and volunteers, being part of such a great event where so many have given their time, energy, and resources to support something so crucial as our local hospitals — it's truly magical."

Other members of the 2009 Steering Committee:

Rick Anthony, Vivian Chenard, Kristine Lee, Trisha Lees, Rosemarie Liscum, Deanna Young (Auction Chair), Lori Sorenson

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2009 Auction Committee

Deanna Young, Chair

Jewellery designer, event promoter, and style diva, Deanna Young uses her left brain, right brain, and a whole lot in the middle in a fast-paced life filled with fashion, family, friends, and good food. Deanna moved to Victoria with her family in 1998 and is now one of our city's acknowledged experts at multi-level event promotions. She is an owner-operator with four partners in Food For Thought Catering. Not satisfied with just one avenue for her energies, her love of fashion combined with an artistic flair has led to a burgeoning jewellery design business called Tristan & Tate. This is Deanna's fourth year chairing the Visions Auction Committee.

Other members of the 2009 Visions Auction Committee:

Patti Gray, Daniel Leonard, Margaret Ofiesh, Anita Owen, Kelly Peck

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2009 Volunteer Committee

Co-Chairs
Rita den Otter

Rita den Otter joined the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) in April 1990 and is now Director, People and Organizational Development. Previously, she was director responsible for VIHA's Neurosciences and Rehabilitation programs. Rita also spent several years as part of the Strategic Initiatives Team and led projects on Aboriginal Women's Health and the Breast Health Centre at Victoria General Hospital.

Rita volunteered for Visions for several years before taking a position with VIHA in the Central Island. She is now back in the South Island and excited to be part of the Visions team again. This is her third year as co-chair of the Volunteer Committee.

Heather Gibson

Heather Gibson is Manager for Rehabilitation and Restoration Services at Victoria General and Cowichan District Hospitals, a position she has held for eighteen years. Prior to that she managed therapy resources for Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. She has a Physical Therapy degree from McGill University.

Heather has volunteered for Visions for several years and served as co-chair of the Volunteer Committee for the past three years. She is also currently a member of the Foundation's Communications Advisory Committee.

Marilyn Copes

Marilyn Copes is currently Acting Executive Director of Acute Interventional Services for the Vancouver Island Health Authority. She has had a close affiliation with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation ever since joining VIHA in 1991. Over the years she has participated in fundraising runs, hosted tours of the Diagnostic and Treatment Centre during the Foundation's Together We Care capital campaign, and assisted with various media events at the hospitals celebrating major donors.

Marilyn has volunteered for Visions for the past five years and served as co-chair of the Volunteer Committee for the past three years. She is also currently a member of the Foundation's Communications Advisory Committee.

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