Nordstrom Announces Beneficiaries For Pacific Centre Store Opening Gala In September

Nordstrom, Inc., a leading fashion retailer based in the U.S., announced recently that it will celebrate the opening of its Pacific Centre flagship store in Vancouver with a gala on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. The event will benefit BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Foundation, Covenant House Vancouver and Vancouver Art Gallery. Nordstrom Pacific Centre officially opens on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 10 a.m.

Gala attendees will be among the first to preview the new 230,000 square-foot store, while enjoying cocktails, dinner, desserts, live entertainment, fashion presentations and the opportunity to shop. Nordstrom will underwrite the event and 100 percent of tickets sales will directly benefit the selected organizations and their important community programs. Tickets for the gala will go on sale on June 24, 2015.

“Vancouver is fortunate to have such an exceptionally supportive community. We’re proud to be partnering with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, BC Women’s Hospital Foundation, Covenant House Vancouver and the Vancouver Art Gallery on our signature opening event,” said Chris Wanlass, Nordstrom Pacific Centre store manager. “We invite everyone to join us for our opening party and together we can support the community and celebrate fashion all in one evening.”

BC Children’s Hospital is the province’s only full-service acute-care hospital dedicated to serving close to one million children living in BC and the Yukon. All children who are seriously ill or injured are referred to Children’s Hospital and are either treated at the hospital in Vancouver or, in consultation with Children’s specialists, in their home community. Last year, more than 84,000 children were treated at Children’s Hospital, making close to 230,000 visits. Only BC Children’s Hospital has the critical mass of expertise in pediatric subspecialties in clinical care and research required to treat young patients with complex medical conditions and serious injuries.

“With the opening of Nordstrom Pacific Centre, and as a beneficiary of the opening gala, BC Children’s Hospital will be better able to serve seriously ill or injured children and their families. This is great for our children, our communities and our province,” said Teri Nicholas, president & CEO, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre is the only facility in BC dedicated to meeting the provincial health care needs of women, newborn babies and their families. Averaging 7,000 births and 68,000 patients annually, BC Women’s is one of Canada’s biggest and busiest obstetrical centres. As the provincial experts in maternity care, BC Women’s specialists diagnose and care for the riskiest pregnancies and the ‘sickest of the sick’ newborn and premature babies. 1,400 of the sickest and smallest babies from around the province receive life saving care at BC Women’s Newborn ICU.

“BC Women’s Hospital is thrilled to partner with Nordstrom and the other organizations who are benefitting from the gala in celebrating the opening of their new flagship store in Vancouver. This unique partnership opportunity demonstrates Nordstrom’s commitment to bringing their culture of service to Vancouver by acknowledging the important role each participating charity plays in the community,” said Laurie Clarke, CEO, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Foundation.

Covenant House Vancouver offers a 24-hour crisis program, a supportive transitional living program, street outreach, and a daily drop-in for homeless, runaway and street involved youth aged 16-25. Covenant House supports young people by providing a continuum of care that meets them where they are at, understanding that no two young people have the same needs.

“Covenant House is honoured to be partnering with Nordstrom for their Gala Opening in Vancouver and we are so thrilled to have been chosen as one of four organizations to be highlighted for this extra special occasion,” said Krista Thompson, executive director, Covenant House Vancouver.

Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of the most respected and innovative visual arts institutions in Canada and is committed to strengthening ties between artists and diverse communities throughout the city, province and beyond. As the largest public art museum in Western Canada, the Gallery features the work of ground-breaking contemporary artists from around the world and presents historical art of international significance, is committed to exploring the art of Asia, and provides a global platform for British Columbia's dynamic artistic community, including the work of First Nations artists. Its growing collection represents the most comprehensive resource for art in British Columbia and is the principal repository for visual art produced in the region, as well as related works by other notable Canadian and international artists.

“The Vancouver Art Gallery is extremely grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of Nordstrom’s extraordinary opening gala. The proceeds will support and expand the dynamic range of educational programs for visitors at the Gallery, from exhibition tours led by experts, inspirational artist talks and lectures to cutting-edge performance and hands-on art-making workshops. Our programs create a place of conversation, learning and exchange inspired by the most compelling art of our times, and Nordstrom’s support will help the Vancouver Art Gallery to foster the development and growth of creative passions in our city,” said Vancouver Art Gallery Director Kathleen Bartels.

About Nordstrom, Inc.
Nordstrom, Inc. is a leading fashion specialty retailer based in the U.S. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 303 stores in 38 states and Canada. Customers are served at 116 Nordstrom stores in the U.S. and two in Canada; 177 Nordstrom Rack stores; two Jeffrey boutiques; and one clearance store. Additionally, customers are served online through Nordstrom.com,Nordstromrack.com and HauteLook. The company also owns Trunk Club, a personalized clothing service serving customers online at TrunkClub.com and its five clubhouses.