Donor Spotlight – Kevin Malinski
Kevin Malinski of Platters Catering & Events is a shining example of Guelph’s generous business community.
When you think of supporting the Hospital, financial gifts might first come to mind. They are certainly important, but our donors help us save lives and improve health in many different ways.
Our generous business community supports our work through volunteerism, donations of products or services, and financial gifts including event sponsorship. Through his business, Platters Catering & Events, Kevin Malinski has given in all three of these ways.
Not even two years out of culinary college, and at the age of 22, Kevin purchased Platters Catering & Events. The previous owner was involved in supporting community fundraising events, including our fundraising gala Black Tie Bingo, and Kevin decided to continue with these commitments.
“I started supporting Black Tie Bingo in my first year of ownership in 2011 by donating my catering services as auction prizes because it was an easy way for me to give through my business,” explained Kevin. “I also enjoyed attending the event as a guest and have every year since. I love the energy and the excitement of coming together with others in our community for a greater purpose.”
As Kevin’s business has grown, so too has his generosity. In 2016 Kevin joined the Black Tie Bingo planning committee to provide direction and donated event planning service. As a volunteer on the Black Tie Bingo committee, Kevin demonstrates the same work ethic and drive that has made him so successful as a young entrepreneur – he goes above and beyond to ensure people receive the best.
Kevin was invaluable in 2018 when we had to move Black Tie Bingo from The Village by The Arboretum due to a flood. With just ten weeks to go, we had to find a new venue to host our already sold-out gala. Stone Road Mall and Primaris Management generously donated the use of the former Sears space and Kevin invested countless hours transforming it into a black-tie worthy event hall, complete with large scale African inspired murals that he hand painted.
“Guelph has been so good to me and my business and I feel that it is important to give back. We are successful because of our community” said Kevin.
Kevin spreads his generosity widely across many charitable organizations throughout Guelph, however, the Hospital is the one he holds closest.
“Over the years of my involvement with Black Tie Bingo, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for how much the Hospital relies on the community to provide the best patient care – to maintain basic patient care equipment tools, and to keep pace with changes in technology that make even better care possible.”
Eight years later, just shy of his thirtieth birthday, Kevin’s business has grown from 13 to over 30 staff members, and there’s more growth in the works. In addition to the catering business, he’s taken on a long-term lease of Guelph’s largest event centre, which he is operating as The Grand Guelph.
While Kevin never intended to leverage his philanthropic endeavors to build his business, he says it certainly has helped. It’s a wonderful phenomenon and, at the Foundation, one we’ve been witness to many times before. What you give, you often get back…and more.
