On a lovely February evening in Palm Springs, over 60 donors representing the Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg federations gathered at the home of Larry and Sandy martin of Calgary to be thanked for their contributions to their respective federations, and the work done locally, nationally and in Israel and overseas. The highlight of the evening was a presentation of Will Recant, Assistant Executive Director of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). Dr. Recant explained to those gathered how their campaign contributions help the JDC provide, for example, needed care and Jewish identity programs for people throughout the Former Soviet Union and assist in the relief efforts for Jews in The Ukraine hoping to escape the current crisis, as well as humanitarian relief in countries such as Haiti when disaster strikes. This event was the second annual "Cocktails and Canapes" joint Western Canadian donor thank you event, in part sponsored by the Jewish Federations of Canada/UIA. With such an amazing turnout, everyone is already looking forward to next year's event!

"It was very nice and especially so to see a number of people I had served with nationally over the years. Thanks again." - Joe Wilder