On December 5th, HIM held its highly anticipated Volunteer Appreciation Party at The Junction Pub, continuing the beloved tradition of celebrating and honoring the incredible volunteers who help make the community thrive. This iconic event brings together HIM volunteers, their partners, HIM business partners and Neighbors for a night of gratitude, fun, and unforgettable performances.
This year’s celebration saw 170 attendees enjoying a variety of spectacular drag performances from local talent, including Whore-ia Estefan, Wan-Ting Moi, Beth, AndrogynAss, PM, Addi Pose, Velvet Ryder, Bibi SouPhresh, Yuen Young, Cleopatra Compton, and Gia Metric. The night was filled with laughter, cheer, and plenty of sparkle as these performers wowed the crowd.
In addition to the dazzling performances, guests had the chance to participate in fun games and interactive installations, including the popular 360 Photo Booth, donated by Magik Moments – a Photo Booth Rental in Vancouver,. The photo booth added an extra layer of excitement as volunteers and their partners captured memories from the evening.
A highlight of the evening was the launch of HIM’s latest fundraising initiative, Penny Pigs. Volunteers and supporters were eager to adopt locally made piggy banks, which will be used to raise funds for HIM’s mission through fun activities and community involvement. The initiative was met with great enthusiasm, ensuring a positive start to 2024’s fundraising efforts.
The party wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of HIM’s partners and neighbors. Special thanks to our sponsor, VIIV Healthcare, and to Little Sisters, F212 Steam, Steamworks Baths, Topped Toys, Earls, Fountainhead, CottonMouth, Matchstick Coffee Roasters, Haus Zuk, MSK Health and Performance Clinic, Hope Forstenzer, Scott McDougall, and B Fit Personal Training for their donations of prizes and in-kind support.
As the year comes to a close, HIM is filled with gratitude for the dedicated volunteers who make a difference in the community. Here’s to an exciting 2024 filled with more opportunities to come together, celebrate, and continue making an impact!
HIM’s holiday party was supported in part by ViiV Healthcare. The views expressed herein by HIM Health Initiative for Men Society are solely those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of ViiV Healthcare ULC
