SURREY, B.C. — More than 300 partners, community supporters, local leaders, firefighters and guests came together in Surrey for the 12th annual Ignite a Dream Gala, raising more than $65,000 to support local youth pursuing post-secondary education.
The annual gala brought together restaurants, media partners, sponsors, firefighters, volunteers and community members for an evening centered on young people and the opportunities they are working toward.
The funds raised through the event will support Surrey youth pursuing post-secondary education, with the initiative focused on helping students overcome barriers and take their next steps after high school.
More Than $65,000 Raised for Surrey Youth
Organizers said the event raised over $65,000, although the final total was still being confirmed at the time of the announcement.
The fundraising result represents an evening of community support directed toward students who want to continue their education.
The event’s focus is not simply on raising money. The Ignite a Dream Gala is built around creating opportunity for young people who may face financial, personal or other barriers while pursuing post-secondary education.
The funds can help reduce some of the costs associated with continuing education, including expenses such as tuition, books, transportation, technology and other school-related needs.
StudioX News Speaks With Dylan Van Rooyen
StudioX News was onsite for the gala and spoke with Dylan Van Rooyen about the evening and the fundraiser’s impact.
The conversation provided an opportunity to look beyond the gala itself and understand what the fundraising result means for the young people the program is intended to support.
WATCH: StudioX News’ interview with Dylan Van Rooyen from the Ignite a Dream Gala.
Mayor Brenda Locke Recognizes Surrey Firefighters
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke also attended the event and spoke about the contribution firefighters make to the city.
In footage captured by StudioX News, Locke thanked Surrey firefighters for their work both on the job and through their community service.
She described the firefighters as “the greatest treasure that we have” and told the audience that Surrey is “so, so incredibly fortunate to have you.”
Locke’s remarks also highlighted the firefighters’ involvement with young people and families beyond their emergency-response responsibilities.
Celebrating Students and Their Future
A major focus of the evening was the young people being recognized through the Ignite a Dream initiative.
The students were described as having faced challenges but continuing forward with “determination and hope.”
The message delivered during the evening was that an Ignite a Dream award can help turn that determination into opportunity by removing barriers and helping young people take their next steps.
Students were encouraged to be proud of how far they had come and to remain excited about where they were going.
The central message was straightforward: every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue their goals and ignite their dream.
Surrey Firefighters’ Work Goes Beyond the Gala
The evening also highlighted the broader community work of the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society.
During the event, speakers specifically recognized the organization for supporting young people in practical ways throughout the year.
That includes delivering food to schools every week and providing computers to students when needed.
Those initiatives demonstrate that the firefighters’ community involvement extends beyond their emergency-response role.
For students, access to food and technology can be directly connected to their ability to participate in school, complete assignments and remain connected to educational opportunities.
More Than 300 Partners Helped Make the Night Possible
The gala was supported by a broad network of community partners.
Organizers recognized:
- Local restaurant partners
- Media partners
- Presenting partner Scotiabank
- Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society
- Community leaders and supporters
- Volunteers
- Event attendees
The event also featured 10 participating restaurants, which contributed to the evening’s food experience.
Organizers noted the amount of preparation required from restaurant partners, including checks, paperwork and standards involved in bringing restaurants into the gala setting.
That behind-the-scenes work was part of what allowed the community event to come together.
Why the Community Partnership Matters
The gala demonstrates how local fundraising can bring together different parts of a community around a specific outcome.
Restaurants contributed to the event experience. Media partners helped share its message. Sponsors provided financial support. Firefighters and volunteers helped organize the evening, while attendees contributed by participating in the fundraiser.
Together, those efforts helped push the fundraising total beyond $65,000.
The event also illustrates the importance of consistency. This was the 12th annual Ignite a Dream Gala, meaning the fundraiser has developed into an ongoing community initiative rather than a one-time event.
Supporting Students Beyond One Night
The importance of the fundraising extends beyond the evening itself.
For a student pursuing post-secondary education, financial pressure can come from many directions. Tuition is only one expense; books, transportation, technology and other costs can also create barriers.
Financial support can give students greater room to concentrate on their education and continue toward their long-term goals.
The Ignite a Dream Gala keeps that support focused locally, directing fundraising toward Surrey youth.
The evening therefore combined fundraising, recognition and community involvement around the future of local students.
A Night of Recognition and Gratitude
The gala was also an evening of appreciation.
Students were recognized for their persistence and determination, while firefighters, sponsors, restaurant partners, media organizations, volunteers and attendees were thanked for helping make the event possible.
Speakers emphasized that meaningful community work rarely comes from one organization or individual alone.
Instead, it depends on people continuing to work together around a shared purpose.
For the students being recognized, that support came with both financial assistance and a public message of encouragement: their achievements matter, their challenges do not define their future, and their community is prepared to support their next step.
The Bigger Picture for Surrey
The Ignite a Dream Gala’s more-than-$65,000 fundraising result is one part of a broader community effort to support young people in Surrey.
The evening brought together more than 300 partners and supporters while putting students and their future at the centre of the event.
The Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society’s involvement also highlighted how community service can extend beyond a firefighter’s professional responsibilities—from fundraising for education to providing food and computers to students.
For Surrey youth pursuing post-secondary education, the support raised through the gala is intended to help turn educational goals into opportunities.
StudioX News Coverage
StudioX News was onsite to document the evening, capture remarks from community leaders and speak directly with organizers about the fundraiser.
Our coverage included an interview with Dylan Van Rooyen, focusing on the four questions surrounding the gala’s outcome: how the evening went, how much was raised, where the funds will go, and what the fundraising means for Surrey youth.
StudioX News also captured Mayor Brenda Locke’s remarks recognizing the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society and its broader community work.
The 12th annual Ignite a Dream Gala ultimately delivered a clear result: more than $65,000 raised for Surrey youth pursuing post-secondary education, backed by a broad network of community partners.
FAQ
What is the Ignite a Dream Gala?
The Ignite a Dream Gala is an annual Surrey fundraising event supporting youth pursuing post-secondary education. The 2026 event marked the 12th annual gala.
How much did the 2026 gala raise?
More than $65,000, with the final total still being confirmed at the time of the announcement.
Who benefits from the funds?
Surrey youth pursuing post-secondary education, particularly students who face barriers to continuing their education.
What did Mayor Brenda Locke say?
Locke thanked Surrey firefighters for their work and described them as “the greatest treasure that we have.” She also highlighted their broader community contributions.
How does the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society support students?
Remarks at the gala highlighted weekly food deliveries to schools and providing computers to students.
Who supported the gala?
The event involved local restaurants, media partners, Scotiabank, firefighters, community leaders, volunteers and attendees.
The 12th annual Ignite a Dream Gala raised more than $65,000 for Surrey youth pursuing post-secondary education, bringing together more than 300 community partners while highlighting the ongoing work of Surrey firefighters in supporting local students.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, NEPMCC, and the Canadian Freelance Union (Unifor). Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
