Vehicles and Violins first appeared on the Calgary scene in the year 2000, supporting the Heartstrings Program of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and in ensuing years has selected as its designated charities:

• The CMDA Entrance Endowment Fund at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
• Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta
• Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
• Prostate Cancer Institute of Calgary
• The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT and Nunavut
• Canadian Diabetes Foundation
• Calgary Prostate Cancer Foundation
• Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre
• The Missing Children Society of Canada
• Calgary Drop In & Rehab Centre
• The Parkinson’s Society of Southern Alberta
• Alzheimer Society of Calgary
• Hospice Calgary
• The ALS Society of Alberta
• Alberta Cancer Foundation
• Inn from the Cold

Net proceeds from Vehicles and Violins 2012 supported the ALS Society and Meals on Wheels, two highly-deserving charities that are providing extremely valuable service to our community.

We sincerely hope you will accept our invitation to join us in showing your support for this year's charities by attending the Vehicles and Violins Gala on Tuesday, March 12th, 2013 in the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

ALS Society of Alberta

The ALS Society of Alberta is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping make each day the best possible day for those living with and affected by ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

ALS is a neuromuscular disease that causes nerve cells to die and muscles to become immobile. The disease is fatal, with no known treatment or cure at this time.

The ALS Society provides vital equipment such as breathing assistive devices, wheelchairs, porch lifts, and much more. We also provide support, information, and referrals which assists our clients to live safely and maintain their quality of life.

KidSport™

KidSport™ was launched in Alberta in 1995 at the AGT March of Champions Torch Relay enroute to the Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie.

KidSport™ was left as a legacy in 10 communities and today has 35 KidSport™ Alberta chapters providing support to over 100 Alberta communities. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are responsible for the overall policy and operations of the program in the province.

KidSport™ was initially created in BC in 1993, not only because of the value and benefits that sports provides, but also because the rising costs of registration fees and equipment reduced the number of kids in sports.

Since the launch in 1995, KidSport™ Alberta has assisted 48,638 kids to become involved in sports programs who would not have been able to afford to play without the help of KidSport™. Over $8.6 million has been distributed to assist kids in pursuing their dreams in sports.

Make A Wish Foundation (Southern Alberta)

Make-A-Wish® Southern Alberta was established in 1995 by Dave and Carol Stinton.  Dave was attending an insurance conference in Vancouver when he heard about Make-A-Wish. He was so touched by the story that when he returned home he wrote a letter to Make-A-Wish® Canada and told them that if they were ever interested in starting a chapter in Calgary, he would love to help. About a year later they contacted him and said they were ready to proceed.

At first Dave and his wife Carol were responsible for the whole of Alberta but it soon became apparent that the territory was too vast to properly interview children and complete their wishes. Dave contacted a friend of his in Edmonton, Gary Kwasnecha and the Northern Alberta chapter was established.