It takes an exceptional vehicle to be feted in the spectacular style the redesigned Bentley Continental GT was in early May by Dilawri Group of Companies.
Brad Laviolette, Regional Marketing Manager of Dilawri, and Bentley Vancouver cordially invited special guests and media to attend a private evening to unveil the highly anticipated redesign of the third generation Continental GT. The Aurora Jet Hangar at YVR International Airport was the location, and the luxury car line-up for valet was over a block long.
Before the reveal guests were invited to recline in the sky-blue Bentley Mulsanne, take selfies in the Aurora Jet Partners private jet, dance along with Narai Dawn and TheStarCaptains, and visit lounges provided by Major Interiors’ Bentley Home, Montecristo Jewellers, and Gastown’s Secret Location. The evening’s smiles were captured by the elegant lens of Denis Grocer of The Collective You and many roving photographers.
2nd Annual Ride & Drive Gala
Clients of the Dilawri Group of Companies are known for their love of impressive fast cars, living the best lives, and their generosity when it comes to great causes. At the 2nd annual Ride & Drive Gala, members of this prestigious group gathered to raise funds and support the work of the BC Cancer Foundation’s leading cancer clinicians, scientists, and researchers whose work which leads to discoveries and improved patient outcomes.
Local personality Fiona Forbes MC’ed the evening introducing guest speakers Lindsay Carswell, Director of The Ride to Conquer Cancer, and oncologist Dr. Bernie Eigl. As the Provincial Medical Director, Clinical Trials, Medical Oncologist at BC Cancer, Eigl knows a thing or two about cancer and the exorbitant costs associated with finding a cure.
“The money raised for the BC Cancer Foundation, by organizations like Dilawri, goes towards improving the lives of those touched by cancer throughout BC,” said Dr. Bernie Eigl. “The Ride & Drive Gala is an easy and fun way to support such a necessary organization.”
Presented by Wheaton Precious Metals, the grueling two-day event will see teams cycle 200-kilometre’s through the beautiful Fraser Valley, with the starting gun in Cloverdale and the welcoming finish line in Hope. For those unable to ride, a Virtual Rider option is available, while others chose to be involved with in-kind donations of products and services.
Amidst the socializing, a troupe of Latin dancers emerged and drew all eyes and attention to the Continental GT as the cover was removed and the sleek new design revealed amid applause. The new silhouette is more aggressive thanks to a longer and lower stance, new front-end design with Matrix LED headlights, and a reworked Bentley 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine which will produce 626 horsepower and 644 pound-feet of torque. Now, this is a beautiful beast Bentley lovers can get excited about!
In addition to hosting this amazing annual event, Brad Laviolette, Regional Marketing Manager of Dilawri Group of Companies, says the company is “proud to once again be the official National Support Vehicle Partner of the Ride to Conquer Cancer across Canada.”
Attendees swayed to the Max Zirpursky band and were taken-in by contemporary artist Yared Nigussu who created incredible art using his unique hands-on technique. In between speeches, guests enjoyed canapés, fish and pork tacos, sidled up to the popular grazing station topped with the freshest local fare, and Design to Dine hand-crafted tangy gin cocktails from their extensive repertoire.
Whether given as charity, philanthropy, or as spare change, the practice of donating money to those less fortunate has been around since 2500 BCE. Ancient Hebrews
used a mandatory tax to benefit the poor and the word ‘philanthropy’ first appeared in an Ancient Greek drama ‘Prometheus Bound’ by Aeschylus in 500 BCE. 1180 CE saw Moses
Maimonides authoring the ‘Mishneh Torah’ which included the Eight Levels of Charity.
A donation by any other name is just as sweet.
Fast forward to 1727 CE where the Sisters of Charity provided social assistance to the needy in Latin America and on to 2018 where ‘The Giving Pledge’ membership includes the wealthiest individuals and families in America who commit to giving the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.
Since the beginning of recorded time, those with means have been performing acts of charitable giving, and while the west coast may appear to have more than its fair share of luxury supercars, pricy penthouses, and bottomless Champagne flutes, it is also home those who give, and give generously, to many deserving causes.
Eye Catcher Karma Revero