About Odd Squad
Odd Squad Productions Society is a registered charitable organization engaging volunteer police officers and civilians with a mission to educate our youth and community about the harm of drug abuse and gang activity. Odd Squad’s approach involves four preventative pillars of action: videos and educational documentaries, drug and gang education presentations, peer-to-peer programs and physical literacy programs.
Donations made to Odd Squad help the organization in delivering valuable and needed reality-based education on the consequences of engaging in risky behaviour to thousands of youth in the Lower Mainland, throughout BC and across Canada.
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Toby Hinton, Walt McKay, Dave Kolb, Dave Weidman, Al Arsenault, Mark Steinkampf, Len Hollingsworth
PAST PRESIDENTS
Bob Rolls was a member of the Vancouver Police Department for 33 years, retiring in 2010 at the rank of Deputy Chief Constable. Over the course of his career, Bob held a wide variety of assignments, which included more than 10 years of working in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver. During his last assignment there, as the District 2 Commander, he led a series of innovative projects and initiatives to address the many issues and challenges faced by this community. Odd Squad played a critical role in these various initiatives, helping to shine a light and raise awareness on the problems of this community. Bob recognized and embraced the unique value of Odd Squad in tackling crime and related societal issues, and in educating and supporting at-risk youth. He was the Founding President of the Odd Squad Board of Directors from 2007 to 2010 and considers his work with Odd Squad among his proudest achievements. Bob remains active today in public safety and policing related initiatives.
Rob Rothwell enjoyed a rewarding 33 year career with the Vancouver Police Department, pursuing a highly-varied career path enabling him to serve the citizens of Vancouver as a patrol officer, detective, supervisor, police manager, and police executive officer. Rob retired from the police department in 2012, at which time he was the superintendent leading the Investigation Division. Along the way, Rob witnessed the immense value in the work of Odd Squad and felt the unwavering passion of its volunteers. Rob climbed onboard in 2010, fulfilling an exciting, dynamic two-year term as president of the Odd Squad Productions Society.
Bob Golden was a goal driven and results producing business leader with 35+ years of experience driving sustained revenue and market share growth in diverse retail sectors. Over the past 13 years Bob had helped provide strategic leadership for a family-owned business of real estate holdings. One of Bob’s passions was Odd Squad, on which he collaborated with a team of board members to help create and sustain an organization that would continue to be effective in fighting substance abuse and develop reality-based education materials for young people on the causes and effects of choosing risky behaviors.
Diana Zoppa, President of Zoppa Media Group since 1991 continues to provide expertise with sales, marketing and communication for select companies. Her career successes not only include sponsorships and fundraising for not only her beloved Odd Squad, which she joined in 1997, but medical agencies, hospitals as well as humanitarian and environmental projects. Diana flourished corporately with Wall Financial/Wall Centre, Brian Jessel BMW and Jet Set Sports. She became more geo-politically inclined doing research and editorial for The Daily Bell and producing films with Matrixx Productions in the US. After 23 years with Odd Squad, Diana remains a dedicated board member and provider of communication keeping Odd Squad's name alive and well in the public's mind.
As a reporter, John L. Daly saw first-hand the effects of drugs, gangs, bullying and intimidation on young people, families, and communities across Metro Vancouver. Appreciating the quality and value of the work the society does, he has been a director of the Odd Squad for many years. From September 2019 to December 2021 he served as President of the society, succeeding Diana Zoppa. During Daly’s tenure, Odd Squad moved from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to its current, larger headquarters on Lane Street in Burnaby. And the Society pivoted to increased online presentations and took on more revenue-generating contract projects to get through the pandemic as other events and the annual Gala had to be deferred and later reconfigured for virtual presentation. After two terms as president, Daly was pleased to see Dr. Bill MacEwan step forward to lead the board with fresh eyes, a clear vision, and new energy. Daly was previously appointed to the board of the BC Real Estate Council, after retiring as a news reporter with Global TV after 36 years, specializing in crime, policing, and investigative reports. Since then he has continued serving the Odd Squad, providing board input, volunteer video production, on-camera and MC support, while part-time, he hosted a current affairs radio program on CKNW.
2022 SPONSORS
Odd Squad Productions Society thanks its generous sponsors for their support.
For more details on our 2022 sponsorship levels, please check out our sponsorship brochure.
PLATINUM PLUS
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
ANONYMOUS
GARY AVERBACH
DR. BILL MACEWAN
BRONZE
RADINA GIUSTRA
PATRON
SHIRLEY BARNETT
ERIC & JUDITH COHEN
SAM FELDMAN
TOBY HINTON
NOAH & MYRNA WEISZNER
SOMAR FAMILY FOUNDATION (Larry and Sandy Martin)
GERRY & NANCY ZIPURSKY
FRIENDS OF ODD SQUAD
CHRIS & SACHA CHIN
LEN LIBIN
SAM FELDMAN
ROB ROTHWELL
ARNIE ZIPURSKY
SAM ZIPURSKY
About The Event
Join us in person for an amazing evening including musical performances by Jim Byrnes and Colin James. You will enjoy moving documentaries and interviews produced by Odd Squad Productions Society, and join them in their mission to end gang violence and substance use among youth.
Date: Thursday, June 16th
Location: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Time: 5:30 pm Guest Check In / VIP Cocktail Reception
6:30 pm Dinner and Program
Dress Code: Cocktail / Business Attire or Dress Uniforms for First Responders
Jim Byrnes, Juno Award Recipient, Singer, Actor
Jim, born in St. Louis, is a legendary blues icon, an actor of note, and an artist who lights up every stage with song and stories, tried and true and an incredible individual who gives so much of himself to his family, friends and community.
Jim is best known for playing ‘Lifeguard’ in the CBS series “Wiseguy” (1987-1990). He also famously starred as 'Joe Dawson' on the syndicated TV series "Highlander" (1993-1998). As a blues performer, Jim has recorded 10 albums, with Juno Awards for “That River” (’96); “House of Refuge” (’06); “Everywhere West” (’11). He is a recipient of numerous Maple Blues Awards; Canadian Folk Music and Canada Music Awards, member of BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Variety Heart Award of Vancouver & Variety Champion for Kids Award in St. Louis. In 2017 Jim became an inductee in the Order of British Columbia. Jim was a charter member of Face the World and remains as Honourary Patron. In 1972, Jim being Jim, was being a good Samaritan helping someone with their vehicle on the highway and was hit from behind by a car losing both his legs. Despite two swipes with death over his life, Jim exemplifies the power of choice in living the way he has.
Joining the Board of Directors of Odd Squad 12 years ago has been a huge bonus for OSP. We were honoured to be able to pay tribute last year to a man who gives back to community in such a meaningful way.
Special Guest appearance by Colin James
From the prairies of Saskatchewan to sharing the stage with arguably the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time, Colin James still remembers those words of advice given to him by the late, great, Stevie Ray Vaughan, “I’m opening doors for you –walk through them.”After 30 years and 20 acclaimed albums he remains at the top of his game, always challenging himself musically. A consummate professional and a superb guitarist, Colin is a musician’s, musician.
Howard A. Blank, Auctioneer
Howard Blank is a long time member of the entertainment and gaming sector. Howard has devoted his career to making a difference through assisting numerous philanthropic organizations in British Columbia and across Canada.
Howard currently serves as CEO of Point Blank Entertainment Ltd. www.pointblankshows.com, Ambassador for Innovative Fitness, and Ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC.
Howard has received many accolades and awards and is recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, Paul Harris Fellowship, and the British Columbia Community Achievement Medal from the B.C. Lt. Governor.
The Governor General of Canada bestowed Howard with the Canadian Honours Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteerism in 2018. In September of 2021 Howard was featured in Business in Vancouver’s BIV 500 as one of the top executives in the NPO sector in British Columbia.
Sandra Elaine Scott, Emcee
Sandra Elaine Scott is an Award-Winning Author of 8 books who inspires joy and transforms lives with her empowering message Mañana Starts Today! She is also a dynamic speaker and coach who shares her joy of writing and being a Boss Author. Her bestselling strategies make her a highly sought-after presenter to speak to diverse audiences.