About the event
About GLITTER
Get ready for GLITTER – Nanaimo’s most spectacular fundraising gala coming September 18, 2026. This extraordinary event transforms the traditional gala experience into a breathtaking runway extravaganza featuring dance, theatre, fashion, music, circus performances, fine dining, and live auction excitement. Following the proven success of Vancouver’s legendary Brilliant! and SHINE events, GLITTER brings over a decade of fundraising excellence to Vancouver Island, creating an unforgettable evening where community members from all walks of life come together to support vital mental health programs. With over 300 volunteers contributing their talents and hearts, GLITTER promises to be an inclusive celebration where surgeons dance with drag queens, CEOs mingle with hairstylists, and every guest becomes part of something truly magical.
Supporting Youth Mental Health in Nanaimo
GLITTER proudly supports the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation’s critical youth mental health initiatives, with proceeds specifically dedicated to expanding mental health and addiction programs for young people in our community. The Foundation continues to seek out ways to improve and expand mental health services, recently funding innovative programs like the Youth Wellness Van which offers mental health and substance use supports for youth up to age 25. Your support through GLITTER will help attract specialized mental health professionals, including psychiatrists dedicated to youth services, ensuring that when young people in Nanaimo need resources and support, those services are available right here in their home community. Through the generosity of our community, the Foundation funds critical medical equipment, supports major healthcare projects, and enhances patient comfort, ensuring that residents receive top-tier medical care close to home.
About the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation
The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation was founded on December 30, 1977 as a means for grateful patients and loved ones to support healthcare in their community. As a trusted partner to donors, healthcare providers, and the community, the Foundation is dedicated to elevating healthcare excellence for Central Vancouver Island, serving Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH), Oceanside Health Centre, Dufferin Place, Trillium Lodge, and Eagle Park. Through the generosity of donors, the Hospital Foundation purchases vital equipment and funds major projects that help expand healthcare services closer to home, reduce wait times and provide better healthcare for Central Vancouver Island residents. The Foundation also operates two social enterprises – Nanaimo Lifeline and Code Brew Café – whose revenues directly support healthcare goals, demonstrating their innovative approach to sustainable community health funding.
About Dean Thullner-Veljacic and LiTLevents.com
LiTLevents.com represents the evolution of 14 years of extraordinary fundraising success, bringing proven expertise in creating spectacular community events that transform lives while raising millions for vital healthcare causes. Founded on the principle that creativity meets community impact, LiTLevents.com specializes 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 of raising over $4 million for health-related causes since 2012, the company has perfected the art of combining professional production values with authentic grassroots community engagement. Led by founder Dean Thullner-Veljacic, whose personal journey from HIV diagnosis to community advocate inspired a lifelong commitment to healthcare philanthropy, and supported by a dedicated team including Director of Online Operations Ernest von Rosen, LiTLevents.com brings its proven formula of spectacular entertainment and meaningful impact to Vancouver Island, ensuring GLITTER will be both an unforgettable experience and a powerful force for positive change in Nanaimo’s healthcare landscape.