SVPWR 8×10 gig: talks moved and photos sold

“The Layers Held Our Story” by Brian Douglas

My good friend Jacqui Murphy, co-founder of Social Venture Partners – Waterloo Region, put an invite out to me to attend the SVPWR 8×10 event, which is a charity fund raiser for great social causes.  In addition to some compelling talks about causes in need, there was a silent auction of photographs by local shooters.  There’s a reasonable model of having photographers set a reserve bid on each piece, which they take home, and anything bid above that goes to SVPWR.  The reserves were set generously low by photogs, in support of these really great organization.  By the end of the night, all 23(?) pieces had sold.  Triple win.

Photogs included:
Laura Twomey, Matt Smith, Kelsey Dawson, Allison Skye, Sara Fleiszig, Mark Essner, Andrew Wilding, Joe Martz, Dawne Taylor-Gilders, Brian Douglas, Raegan Little

First things first: snacks!

Meta.  I think this is Sean Gilders from the SnapKW posse.

Photographer Joe Martz

MC, Ian McLean

SVPWR connects contributing partners with great causes.  Beyond donating money (which is important),  the partners bring some heavy-duty problem solving skills, a serious network of friends and associates, and a passion to get directly involved in social change.

Mike Stork talked about the west-side Waterloo Stork Family YMCA, that has become a community hub of the west side.  I’m over there at least twice a week.  High five!

Bobbi Holte, Chair of Waterloo Region Family Network.  Empathy goes a long way to easing a challenging load.

Citizenship Judge Sharon Robertson on the struggles and triumphs of immigrants. 

Staff Sgt. John Wayne Goodman…

talking about the importance of working with youth.  “Youth, not at risk.  Youth at potential.”

Machelle Dennison, ED of Strong Start: “Who here has heard of Strong Start?”  Virtually all hands go up.  Boosting language skills for young kids FTW!

Jacqui Murphy on the mic.  That art is that way, folks.

Ian, Debbie Currie (go Centre in the Square!), and Waterloo Councillor (and my neighbourhood pal) Karen Scian.

Andrew Jackson, from the ever-awesome Accelerator Centre, centre.

My good friends, Roger Farwell (right) of WalterFedy talking with photog Brian Douglas.

Photog and SnapKW guru Dawne Taylor-Gilders, left.

SVP Teens were out in full-force and hard to miss with the lemon sandwich board signs and…

lemonade.

Yeah, I know we’ve covered the snacks already, but this fruit layout was pretty damned impressive.  Unfortunately for me, neither fruit, nor…

popcorn go well with…

camera gear (Joe’s rig here).  In addition to the talks and prints, I was very curious to get out to see who was exhibiting work, what they’re shooting, how it’s presented and priced.  I look for and follow local photogs on twitter, so it’s great to meet some of them in person.  High-fived Kelsey Dawson on her two pieces shot in Africa over the summer. Met Laura Twomey, missed Matt Smith.  Next time!  Photography can be a fairly solitary pursuit, so it’s great to put faces to photo credits. 

Brandon Eaket, right, gave a helluva good talk, pitching for help for the 800 kids in foster care in Waterloo Region who need permanent families.  His story of starting life in an abusive home and his journey to now being a football-playing UW student (and obviously great speaker) was moving.  When he described the awesome feeling of getting his “forever family”, I think I got something in my eye.  Moving.  From the looks of the other three in this photo, I think Brandon has people that care about him a whole lot now.

Great job, Brandon.

Karen Scian has a sixth sense for when I’m going to snap a pic.

Strong Start works!  I know first hand. 

Cathy Middleton, YWCA Director of Housing, talked about the work to end homelessness.  Taylor Jackson, local film maker, has been working to tell the story of Startup Community, documenting the vibe and many startups getting it done in WR.

Photog Mark Essner.  Hey, that reminds me: you can see some of these photogs including Mark, Brian Douglas, Raegan Little, and Joe Martz down at the amazing BOX Art Show & Sale, coming up real quick here in just a little more than a week on Nov 16/17.  Expect huge and awesome.

Speaker Christine Padaric, centre. Her talk about losing her son Austin this year and the dangers we face from prescription drug abuse hit me in the gut.

Hugged my kids a little tighter today.

Photog Tomasz Adamski was doing the real work of capturing the event.  He had multiple strobes on this rig that just looked wicked.  Learning strobes and lighting is definitely on my to-learn list.

Nothing to see behind the curtain!  Jennifer King, ED of SVPWR was caught busting out the packing material for all the photographs after the auction wrapped up.  Jenn’s a photographer as well, but all this changing the world keeps her pretty busy, so it’s tough to find her work.

Jennifer King, ED SVPWR

Good on you, sponsors!

Thanks for the invite, Jac.

DW