There will be more than “gals” at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Red Serge Gala, set for Sept. 10. This year, in what organizing committee spokesperson Kristi Wiebe calls “a night for all," men can also purchase tickets to attend what was in the past a ladies-only fundraiser in support of Cops for Cancer. The venue is again West Sechelt’s Holy Family Church hall.
“We announced this via an Instagram post, and the gentleman in the video were asked to help only 30 seconds before filming that clip with us, in one take. It was a real Sunshine Coast moment,” Wiebe told Coast Reporter.
Gala traditions: old and new
To accommodate that attendance rule change, the committee have increased available tickets from the previous year’s high of 140 to 200. Past year’s events have sold out and 2025 tickets are available for purchase for $110 each by emailing [email protected] or calling or texting 604-290-4076. A ticket gets you a dinner catered by Chef Michael Buono and his team from Buono Osteria, and a fun-filled evening of music, games, silent and live auctions and more.
A key gala tradition that is not changing this year is that attendees have the honour of being escorted to their seats as well as served meals and refreshments by local first responders, in dress uniforms. It is a “Kodak moment” that many look forward to.
“It was clear to us in the planning stages of this year's gala that we wanted everyone to be able to attend, enjoy, support and feel welcome. This is a night that our community gets behind so strongly, and that we pour our hearts into, plus, it's incredibly fun! …The bottom line is that we're very grateful for the support of those who attend and we look forward to seeing the faces of new guests alongside our longtime supporters,” said Wiebe.
There are scheduled to be two returning special guests at the gala. While the organizing committee did not identify a local child facing cancer treatment to be the 2025 “buddy,” they are slated to welcome past buddies Raylee and Renee as guests of honour for the evening along with another special guest survivor. Their attendance is a reminder of what the event’s fundraising is aimed towards, research into the treatment of childhood cancers and making the lives of those touched by the disease better.
Tour de Coast details
Funds raised through the gala and a range of “sister” events, which this year included a Beverage and Burger night at Sechelt Legion and a golf tournament rally. Perennial Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast participant Corporal Mark Wiebe (Kristi’s spouse) of the Sunshine Coast RCMP is being joined by rookie rider Deputy Sheriff Sam Gray of B.C. Sheriff Service’s Sechelt branch.
That 800-kilometre cycling tour, organized by the Canadian Cancer Society, runs this year Sept. 12 to 19. It will start in Vancouver, then move through Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.
On Sept. 14, riders will be on the Sunshine Coast, and a family celebration day is planned at West Sechelt’s Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden from noon to 2 p.m.
Then, the riders pedal on to Powell River and then back to the Lower Mainland, winding their trek up in Port Coquitlam.
Those interested in supporting the local riders on the tour have a chance to do so outside of the gala as well, by emailing [email protected] or by contacting 604-989-8486.
