Nordstrom Calgary x Alberta Children's Hospital x United way: Chinook Centre Opening Gala

Tonight, on September 17th Nordstrom, Inc., one of the United States’ leading fashion speciality retailers, will celebrate the opening of its first Canadian store at Chinook Centre in Calgary with a opening gala. The event will benefit Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation andUnited Way of Calgary and Area. 

Gala attendees will be among the first to preview the new 140,000 square-foot store while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, dinner and desserts, cocktails, live entertainment, a fall fashion presentation and the opportunity to shop. The gala host committee includes Lisa Arcega, Kim Berjian, Jennifer Boulanger, Heather Culbert, Lindsay Culbert, Trudi Curran, Barb Higgins, Deborah Korpach, Jane McCaig and Jane Vernon. Tickets are $100 and will go on sale in July. The event is completely underwritten by Nordstrom and 100% of ticket sales will be split between both organizations.

The two non-profits came together with Nordstrom to identify a signature cause and decided to direct gala funds to programs that support the mental health and wellbeing of Calgary youth.
“We believe in supporting and giving back to the community before we open our doors for business,” said Shelia Wooldridge, Nordstrom Chinook Centre store manager. “This exciting gala partnership with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and United Way will help raise funds to ensure Calgary youth have the support they need to manage mental health challenges and step confidently into bright futures.”

“Mental health has been identified as one of the biggest health problems facing young people in Canada today,” says Saifa Koonar, President and CEO of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are thrilled that Nordstrom is partnering with us and United Way to raise awareness and support, so together we can help those who are suffering.”

One in five children is affected by mental health issues, impacting 200,000 children in Alberta. Teenagers are especially vulnerable due to the physical changes that occur around puberty, which impact mental health. In fact, over half of the lifetime cases of psychiatric disorders begin by age 14. To help address this, the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and United Way are working together with Calgary schools to nurture resiliency in teenagers, provide insights into common mental health distress and disorders, reduce stigma and increase knowledge about appropriate interventions.

Lucy Miller, United Way’s President & CEO, says it’s exciting to see Nordstrom arrive in Calgary with a strong community focus. “This partnership will help youth in our city thrive,” says Miller. “The issue of youth mental health is too large for any one organization to tackle alone, which is why collaborations like this are so important. When we help our most vulnerable, we make the city better for everyone.”

Nordstrom Chinook Centre opens Friday, September 19, 2014 at 10 a.m. Stay Tuned with Gar&Mann:L, we will keep you updated with the special opening gala! 

Source:
Nordstrom, Inc.