GOAL MTL: The second annual ‘Power of the Ball’ Gala, and a 1970s golf party

“It’s a party and a gala, yes, but the community awards they present and what they stand for doesn't change,” says GOAL Initiatives Foundation’s founder Paul Desbaillets ahead of the charity’s upcoming event.

On Monday, September 23, Old Montreal’s pub de force, Wolf & Workman, will host the second annual ‘Power of the Ball’ Gala: "Fairway to Heaven"—a 1970s golf-themed dress-up party (period attire is “highly recommended”). The event will combine fashion, sports, and a shared mission to support local schools and youth sports programs.

“One thing that’s always been important to GOAL, and to me personally, is that things can be fun. We can do these sorts of things with levity, and it’s disarming; it doesn’t have to be all black-tie events,” Paul says.

Resonating with GOAL’s mission of promoting health, wellness, and inclusivity through play, golf offers a uniquely social connection to the sports world.

“This year, one of the heads of the PGA is donating to GOAL, and while that’s part of the reason for this golf theme, golf is for everyone and every athlete.”

“Professional athletes often use golf in their downtime to have fun while staying active. It’s very community-based,” Paul says.

In honour of a community pillar

There’ll be an open bar with canapés and food stations, alongside sets by DJ Psychology, Mr Notre-Dame and friends, and the FLTK Collective at the Gala. But there’s more to it than that.

“This event celebrates two individuals in the community whom we’ve chosen to honour with Honorary Community Awards co-produced with Uplifted by Meve,” says Desbaillets, referring to the local artist who uses vintage, discarded, and rejected materials to create their work.

“We’ve named these awards after Jean Lanouette. His family has owned Quincaillerie Notre-Dame in Saint-Henri for five generations—135 years in business. They’ve been in the community, doing what they do, forever. Jean was a big football guy, but he was also deeply committed to the community. He and his brother supported GOAL. When he passed, it touched me profoundly… This was my way of honouring him and his legacy.”

The good cause

Similar to GOAL MTL 2024, the beneficiaries of this event include Verdun Elementary, James Lyng High School, Lasalle Rapides Soccer, Grassroot Soccer, Fondation Patrice Bernier, and the DeRo Foundation.

“The DeRo Foundation and Patrice Bernier’s programs will receive the majority of the funds raised, as we’ve already fulfilled our commitments to Lasalle and Verdun Elementary,” Paul explains.

“One of the most surprising parts of all of this is that we now have something tangible to show for what we did at Verdun Elementary. There’s a whole different feeling to that now, and knowing it will have such a positive impact? We’re very excited.”

GOAL MTL’s second annual ‘Power of the Ball’ Gala with a recommended 70s golf dress code takes place on Monday, September 23^rd, 2024: Purchase your tickets here.