2025 Water for Life Gala
Ways to Support
Video highlights capturing past UNICEF Water for Life Galas

Join UNICEF for the 2025 Water for Life Gala!

UNICEF Canada’s Annual Chefs for UNICEF Water for Life Gala will take place on Thursday, April 24, 2025, bringing the Halifax community together to support children’s right to water and sanitation. 

The Chefs for UNICEF Water for Life Gala is an unforgettable evening. The event features 10 amazing and talented local chefs who join together to prepare international cuisine inspired by countries around the world. Each chef hosts a food station, inviting guests to make their way around the room and travel the world in just a few steps.

The Gala showcases inspiring speakers who will share the importance of UNICEF’s work and the impact of your support. Guests can also participate in our amazing auction showcasing over 110 items, while enjoying live music. This is a moving and memorable night where you can join your community to support safe water for children globally, which is one of our basic human rights.

Current world events are having deep and lasting effects on children. Decades of advances in children’s rights have recently seen heavy setbacks and have amplified the need for UNICEF’s leadership and important work focused on safe water, sanitation and hygiene. The solidarity of the Halifax community in supporting these life-changing programs is more important than ever.

Through the generosity of many donors, UNICEF leads innovative initiatives to bring life-saving water to children.

Event date

Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Purchase a table

Tables are available as follows:

  • Champion $25,000
  • Advocate: $10,000
  • Collaborator: $5,000
  • Humanitarian: $3,500
  • Individual Tickets: $350

To purchase a table or provide in-kind sponsorship for the Chefs for UNICEF Water for Life Gala, please contact:

Holly Davidson
Manager, National Events
hdavidson@unicef.ca
1 800 819 0889 ext. 8204

Donations and cheques for table purchases can be sent by mail to the UNICEF Canada office located in Calgary:

UNICEF Canada
B001, 1716 – 16 Avenue NW
Calgary, AB  T2M 0L7

Ways To Support UNICEF's Water For Life Gala Halifax

CHAIR, PATRONS & COMMITTEE

Event Co-Chairs

Jeannine Bakeeff
Laura Maynard

Patrons Council

Greg Bakeeff - Senior Wealth Advisor, BMO Nesbitt Burns
Jeannine Bakeeff - Chair, UNICEF Water for Life Gala
Natasha Benigno Chandler - Vice President, Benigno Group of Companies
Jamie Berryman - Vice President, National Sales, Sysco Canada Inc.
Troy Calder - President, Charm Diamond Centres
Kim Day - President & COO, Steele Auto Group
Mark Faddoul - Director & Assistant Market Leader, BMO Private Wealth
Andrew Inch - Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Cresco
Mark Johnston – MD, Psychiatrist, True North Psychological Services
Lori Park - Partner, Atlantic Canada Market Leader, Mercer Canada

Organizing Committee

Ben Baxter
Daisy Cobden - Auction Committee Co-Chair
Alannah Delahunty-Pike
Sean Doucet – Lead Chef
Jessica Francisco
Julie Gibson
Alexandra Gosse
Zainab Khaliki
Paige McQuaid 
Alice Newbery
Matthew Orrell
Mathieu Ouellette
Wendy Phillips
Caleb Power – Auction Committee Co-Chair
Michelle Power
Colleen Robbins 
Joanna Shackleton
Mahnaz Sobhani