Organization hosts record-breaking fundraising event at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York

TORONTO, ON (April 8, 2014) – On the evening of April 5, 2014, over 700 Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada supporters gathered at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York to attend the organization’s 19th Annual Gala, sponsored by Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us Canada. Hosted by comedian Carla Collins, over $500,000 was raised for the foundation through generous donations from sponsors, supporters and attendees.

This year, the London, Calling! theme brought the event to new heights with decor inclusive of Buckingham Palace gates, a recreated Covent Garden Market, London-style pubs and a swinging sixties room. Throughout the evening, guests were able to mingle with tribute artists emulating the Queen, Palace Guards, Austin Powers and the Spice Girls.

Celebrity guests included MTV Canada’s Aliya-Jasmine Sovani; Gala host, Carla Collins; Love It Or List It’s Hilary Farr; members of the Canadian rock band The Trews, Jack Syperek, Sean Dalton and John-Angus MacDonald; Toronto Argonauts players John Chiles and Jonathan Hood; 2014 JUNO nominated musician Melanie Durrant; television personality Paul Venoit; ET Canada’s Sangita Patel; supermodel Stacey McKenzie; actress Tara Spencer-Nairn, and many other notable Canadians.

“The Starlight Canada Gala continues to be one of our largest sources for fundraising throughout the year. We could not continue the important work we do for families across the nation without the generous support from all of our sponsors, supporters and attendees.” said Starlight Canada executive director, Brian Bringolf.

The money raised from the Gala will go towards funding Starlight’s in and out-of-hospital programming, which includes fun kits (essentials for unexpected hospital stays), hospital grants (funds for hospitals across the country to use on what kids need most), Fun Centres (portable stations equipped with a dvd player, Nintendo Wii, games and movies) and Day Brighteners (tickets to sports games, concerts and more).

For more information, photos or interview requests, please contact:

Cory Stewart | Embrace Disruption PR

p: 647.638.1586 | e: cory@embracedisruption.com

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:

Starlight Children’s Foundation™ Canada is part of Starlight’s global network, serving kids and families through partnerships with more than 130 healthcare facilities. Over the past 30 years, Starlight has become a leading global charity that partners with experts to improve the life and health of kids and families around the world. Collaborating with innovators in pediatric healthcare, entertainment and technology, Starlight provides a unique blend of family-centered programs and services from hospital to home. Starlight partners with more than 1,750 healthcare facilities and pediatric hospitals in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, serving millions of children every year.

Website: http://starlightcanada.org

Twitter: @StarlightCanada         #StarlightMatters

Facebook: http://facebook.com/starlightcanada

About Toys“R”Us, Canada:

Toys“R”Us (Canada) Ltd., is part of Toys“R”Us, Inc., the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer. Toys“R”Us, Canada operates over 80 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca or www.babiesrus.ca.

Organization Plans Star-Studded Fundraising Event Fit for a Queen

TORONTO, ON (February 25, 2014) – Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is proud to announce the return of their annual Fundraising Gala on April 5, 2014 at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York (100 Front St. West). The 19^th annual Starlight Gala will be hosted by the “Queen of Comedy”, Carla Collins, and is presented by Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us Canada.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., over 700 guests will enter a fully transformed venue, fashioned to mirror the evening’s theme, London, Calling! Complete with ‘royal’ influences, programming will include dinner, silent and live auctions and a selection of top Brit-themed entertainment.

“Our Gala continues to be one of the most important fundraising initiatives that we host throughout the year,” said Starlight executive director, Brian Bringolf. “It offers the unique opportunity to gather sponsors, donors, volunteers and Starlight families under one roof to celebrate the work that we do.”

(Gala host, Carla Collins) 

Celebrities scheduled to attend include: recording artists Matt Dusk and Karl Wolf, Love It Or List It’s Hilary Farr, supermodel Stacey McKenzie, YTV’s Next Star judge Mark Spicoluk, KiSS 92.5′s Taylor Kaye, PROUD FM’s Mike Chalut, cast members from television shows such as Murdoch Mysteries and The Listener, along with many other notable Canadians.

Starlight Canada is pleased to welcome an extensive group of new and returning sponsors in support of their 19th annual Gala. Supporters include: Presenting Sponsor, Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us Canada; Diamond Sponsors, Great Blue Heron Charity Casino and Delmar International; Gold Sponsor, Bloom Lanys Professional Corporation; and Silver Sponsors, Playtex, Hillberg & Berk and Corus Entertainment.

“Toys“R”Us Canada has sponsored Starlight Children’s Foundation for 16 years because we truly believe that it makes a difference in children’s lives,” said Kevin Macnab, president of Toys“R”Us Canada. “One parent, whose 3-year-old daughter was in the hospital, wrote us and said, ‘The Starlight Fun Room, with its arts and crafts area, replaced Helena’s tear-stained cheeks with smiles and glitter.’ It is stories like Helena’s that inspire us to sponsor the Starlight Gala and motivate our employees to raise funds and awareness for Starlight throughout the year.”

Since its inception in 1995, the Starlight Gala has raised over $5,000,000 dollars, making it one of the foundation’s largest sources for fundraising. Tickets for this year’s event can be purchased online by visiting http://www.starlightmatters.com.

(Photo from last year’s 18th annual Starlight Gala)

For media accreditation, photos or interview requests, please contact:

Cory Stewart | Embrace Disruption PR,

p: 647.638.1586 | e: cory@embracedisruption.com

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:

Starlight Children’s Foundation™ Canada is part of Starlight’s global network, serving kids and families through partnerships with more than 130 healthcare facilities. Over the past 30 years, Starlight has become a leading global charity that partners with experts to improve the life and health of kids and families around the world. Collaborating with innovators in pediatric healthcare, entertainment and technology, Starlight provides a unique blend of family-centered programs and services from hospital to home. Starlight partners with more than 1,750 healthcare facilities and pediatric hospitals in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, serving millions of children every year.

Website:       http://starlightcanada.org

Twitter:          @StarlightCanada         #StarlightMatters

Facebook:    http://facebook.com/starlightcanada

YouTube:       http://youtube.com/canadastarlight

About Toys“R”Us, Canada:

Toys“R”Us (Canada) Ltd., is part of Toys“R”Us, Inc., the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer. Toys“R”Us, Canada operates over 80 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca or www.babiesrus.ca

About Great Blue Heron Charity Casino:

The Great Blue Heron Charity Casino, located in scenic Port Perry Ontario, first opened its doors in 1997 and has steadily developed into one of Ontario’s premier casino destinations. With 550 exciting slots, 60 thrilling table games and award winning dining, the Great Blue Heron Casino is the closest casino to Toronto. The project is operated by a partnership consisting of Casinos Austria International, the Steiner Group and Sonco Gaming Inc. on behalf of the Mississauga’s of Scugog Island First Nation and OLG.

About Delmar International Inc.:

Delmar consists of roughly one thousand professionals working in 40 locations throughout North & South America, Mexico and Asia.  THE DELMAR GROUP today provides a variety of supply chain related services including; Customs Brokerage, Freight Forwarding, ground services, warehousing & distribution, as well as consulting and cargo management technology solutions.