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Bruce's time
By Cam Tait
April 3, 2006
Timing, they say, is everything.
There's a time to start things. A time to cultivate them and let them grow. Perhaps most important, there's a time to go for that famous walk in the snow, as the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau did when he decided it was time to exit from Canadian politics. Walking away from something we love can tug at our hearts. We don't want to leave. But there's also something to be said for not overstaying our welcome, and for having people remember us for what we did, rather than seeing someone who keeps doing the same thing over and over again.
Bruce Saville knows all about timing. He also has a deep-rooted compassion for people who live in poverty in that part of town many of us turn away from when we pass by it. We call it the inner city.
Several years ago, Bruce, who owned Saville Systems and created billing software for telephone companies worldwide, decided he wanted to do something about it. He went to one of the most exclusive hotels in Edmonton, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, and asked if the chef could conjure up some macaroni and cheese. Bruce chose the fare because he knew many people in the inner city survive on macaroni and cheese and he wanted to remind people of that. The chef said yes. Bruce decided to charge $25 a plate for the mac and cheese. And people bought into it, big time. Within only a few weeks, there were enough people - 280 - to fill the main ballroom of the Fairmont...and raise $8,000. That was 11 years ago. And as we were making our way out of the hotel that first afternoon, two words were beckoning: next year.
The requests for tickets became so overwhelming the event was moved to the Westin Hotel where 800 could gather for their mac and cheese fix. The luncheon attracted the who's who of Edmonton, from business leaders, to politicians, to some of the city's most beloved athletes.
Bruce emceed the event and at one lunch he began the proceedings with two words that silenced the crowd: "Poverty sucks."
His format was unique, too. Bruce made sure all the greetings and guest speakers were finished no later than 12:40 p.m. At that moment, the hotel's wait staff came out with plates of piping hot mac and cheese by the dozens. After we ate, we could either get back to our day or linger around and visit - a refreshing change of pace. After all, how many times have you attended a luncheon, and by 1:30 p.m. had to make a very awkward exit to the door because of time?
Eventually, the event had to be moved to an even bigger facility: the SHAW Convention Centre. Last week, some 1,200 people showed up for mac and cheese. Bruce, who is uncomfortable with media and praise at the best of times, announced to the crowd that he was stepping down as chair of the luncheon. Under his watch, close to a million dollars has been raised for a collection of inner city agencies. He said he's going to call a few of his friends, people who believe in philanthropy, and expects the $1-million mark will be reached within weeks.
Bruce Saville saw an opportunity, took it, and made things happen. Now, he's moving on. Perhaps most important, he's giving someone else the chance to care. And, there's always time for that.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter for the Edmonton Journal. He covered charitable issues for almost 20 years. Thoughts, comments, ideas or a simple hello are welcomed at cam@charityvillage.com.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
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