About the event
About GLITTER2026
Get ready for GLITTER2026 – Nanaimo’s most spectacular fundraising gala coming Friday, September 12, 2026. This extraordinary event transforms the traditional gala experience into a breathtaking 90-minute stage presentation featuring music, dance, circus performers, fashion models, cultural performances celebrating all the diversity Vancouver Island has to offer, and appetizers, along with live auctions, silent auctions, 50/50 draws, pop and win balloon prizes, and heart strings auction excitement. Following the proven success of Vancouver’s legendary Brilliant!, SHINE, and RED events, plus Vancouver Island’s SHINE 2022, GLITTER2026 brings over 15 years of fundraising experience and excellence and over $5 million raised in Vancouver once again to Vancouver Island, creating an unforgettable evening where community members from all walks of life come together to support vital mental health programs through the Foundry in Nanaimo.
The Statistics on Mental Health are Staggering
“The statistics underlying this ecosystem are sobering. More than 70% of mental illness develops by the age 25, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among young Canadians. In BC alone, over 950,000 kids and youth are impacted by mental health issues annually, yet. Only about 40% receive appropriate service. Emergency department visits by children and youth for mental health treatment rose several 5% between 2007 and 2017, while an estimated 1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental illness, with less than 20% receiving appropriate treatment.”
That’s why GLITTER 2026 is partnering with Foundry Snuneymuxw—BC’s second indigenous-led youth centre opening in Spring 2026—which transforms this crisis into action by bringing mental health support, primary care, peer support, and social services under one welcoming roof for youth ages 12-24, with no referrals, no waitlists, and no stigma. Our September 18, 2026 event is strategically timed to amplify Foundry’s launch momentum, with proceeds enhancing programming that goes beyond government funding: extended hours, cultural programming integrating Coast Salish values, specialized support for diverse youth populations, and the youth-led initiatives that make excellent centres transformational.
About the Nanaimo & Foundry
Foundry BC has revolutionized youth mental health care across the province, serving over 16,000 young people annually through 17 operational centres with plans to reach 35 by 2027, where 59% of youth access same-day drop-in services and 77% wait less than 30 minutes to see a provider—eliminating the barriers that keep young people from getting help. Foundry Snuneymuxw, opening Spring 2026 at 4196 Departure Bay Road, brings this transformational model to Nanaimo as BC’s second indigenous-led youth centre, co-led by Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services and Snuneymuxw First Nation, integrating Coast Salish cultural practices with comprehensive mental health, primary care, peer support, and social services all under one welcoming roof.
About LiTLevents.com
LiTLevents.com represents the evolution of 15+ years of extraordinary fundraising success, bringing proven expertise in creating spectacular community events that transform lives while raising over $5 million for vital healthcare causes. Founded in 2025 as a collaborative partnership between Dean Thullner-Veljacic, Jeremy Mailloux, and Ernest von Rosen, LiTLevents.com is built on the principle that creativity meets community impact, specializing in volunteer-driven, inclusive events that break down social barriers and unite diverse communities around shared values of hope and healing.
With a track record spanning Vancouver’s legendary Brilliant!, SHINE, and RED events, plus Vancouver Island’s successful SHINE 2022, the company has perfected the art of combining professional production values with authentic grassroots community engagement that celebrates all the diversity and cultural richness our communities have to offer.
Led by Dean who has over 40 years of experience as a successful business owner and is recognized as one of Vancouver’s leading charity event producers with Volume Studio Productions. For the past 35 years, he has inspired and empowered many individuals to participate in community giving. In 2017, Dean and his husband David relocated to Vancouver Island, where they embrace the island’s natural beauty, vibrant communities, and distinctive West Coast lifestyle.
Dean is deeply committed to supporting charitable organizations that focus on raising funds and awareness for causes such as HIV/AIDS, mental health, addiction, and human rights. He is passionate about confronting and eliminating stigmas, while
promoting the values of equity, diversity, and inclusivity. Active involvement in the community and the opportunity to uplift others are central to Dean’s philosophy. He believes that providing a platform for others is essential to building stronger, more connected communities grounded in shared values.
Jeremy Mailloux is a Nanaimo-based community leader, advocate, and fundraiser with a track record of advancing health, arts, and social justice initiatives. Drawing on years of senior management and development experience, Jeremy blends strategic thinking with a hands-on commitment to community impact. He has led successful fundraising campaigns, championed advocacy efforts in health equity, and collaborated with local organizations to strengthen cultural and social infrastructure. With a unique balance of business acumen and grassroots activism, Jeremy is dedicated to building sustainable systems that create lasting change.
Ernest von Rosen is the owner and Knowledge Architect of AMGmedia Works Inc., a Nanaimo-based digital studio that blends web development, e-commerce optimization, and data analytics with clean, human-centered design. Trained in physics, Ernest brings an analytical rigor to creative problem-solving, helping leaders translate business goals into measurable online results. Beyond his technical and creative work with photography, Ernest has a long history of sustained commitment to volunteerism and community building. He has spent over three decades contributing his skills and time to strengthen the cultural and social fabric in his home community of Vancouver and most recently in his new home, with his partner Brian, here in Nanaimo.