Starlight Children’s Foundation® Canada ‘Flies to the Moon’ at 23rd Annual Fundraising Gala
Starlight plans intergalactic celebrity-filled evening, raising funds to brighten the lives of seriously ill children.
TORONTO, ON (March 21, 2018) - Prepare for takeoff! On April 21, 2018, Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada will blast into Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York ballroom (100 Front St. West) for their 23rd annual Gala, themed “Fly Me to the Moon”. Hosted by television personality Rick Campanelli and presented by Toys“R”Us® and Babies“R”Us® Canada, the Gala is one of Starlight’s largest fundraising initiatives, supporting their in-and-out-of-hospital programming for seriously ill children across the nation.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., guests of the event will check in with a Starlight attendant before moonwalking into a magnetic evening of moving and memorable moments. The out-of-this-world décor will be complemented with themed activities including a flavoured oxygen bar, wine conveyer belt, outer space photo booth and silent auction. Once seated for dinner, attendees will be treated to an all-star lineup of entertainment including a live auction and special performances by Twisted Ankles Dance Crew and JUNO-award-winning musician Simone Denny.
“Our annual gala is an opportunity for our guests to reflect and celebrate the strength and unbelievable resilience of the countless starlight families we help each year,” says Starlight executive director Brian Bringolf. “To meet these incredibly brave children and their family members in this intimate setting, and then hear the stories about how Starlight has impacted their lives, is a direct thank you to our attendees. It is rare one can see firsthand how a contribution is helping, but our gala shows our wonderful guests just how real and tangible their support is to these children and their families”
Celebrities scheduled to attend this year’s gala include: Love It or List It’s Hilary Farr, Real Housewives of Toronto’s Ann Caplan, JUNO award winning musician Simone Denny, Kim’s Convenience’s Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Murdoch Mysteries’ Lachlan Murdoch, The Shape of Water’s Lauren Lee Smith among many others.
Starlight Canada is pleased to welcome an extensive group of sponsors including Presenting Sponsor Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us Canada; Platinum Sponsor, Michaels; Gold Sponsors, Barrick Gold and Bloom Lanys Professional Corporation and Silver Sponsors, Hasbro and Mattel.
“At Toys“R”Us Canada, we are committed to continuously giving back to children and families within the communities we serve. Through our 20-year partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada we’ve witnessed first-hand the ‘power of play’ that brings joy to seriously ill children and their families through distractive entertainment,” said Melanie Teed-Murch, President, Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us, Canada. “We are thrilled to again sponsor this year’s Gala, and look forward to the many exciting initiatives we have planned with Starlight.”
Over the past 20 years, Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us Canada continue to be one of Starlight’s most involved and valued partners. Through in-store and online campaigns, 3-Minute Dashes, Starlight Gala sponsorship and donations to in-hospital, neonatal care and out-of-hospital programs, they have donated an incredible $17 million to Starlight and are extraordinary advocates of Starlight’s cause in all the Canadian communities they serve.
Since its inception, the Starlight Gala has raised over $7.8 million, making it one of Starlight’s largest sources for fundraising. Tickets for this year’s event can be purchased online by visiting http://www.starlightcanadagala.com.
For more information, media accreditation, photos or interview requests, please contact: Cory Stewart, Embrace Disruption PR | cory@embracedisruption.com 647.638.1586
About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:
Starlight Children’s Foundation® Canada brightens the lives of seriously ill Canadian children and their families by bringing them joy, laughter and relief. For close to 30 years, Starlight Canada has spread tens of thousands of smiles to sick kids through a unique blend of family-centered programs and services from hospital to home. With your help, more kids and families will benefit from receiving a Starlight Comfort Kit in-hospital or relaxing at a Starlight Day Brightener out-of-hospital.
Support Starlight Canada’s work by visiting www.starlightcanada.org and by following Starlight on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
About Toys“R”Us, Canada:
Toys“R”Us (Canada) Ltd. and Babies“R”Us (Canada) Ltd. are part of Toys“R”Us, Inc., the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer. Toys“R”Us, Canada operates over 80 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca and www.babiesrus.ca.
Follow Toys“R”Us, Canada on Facebook (Facebook.com/ToysRUsCanada), Twitter (@ToysRUsCanada) and Instagram (@ToysRUsCanada)
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