TORONTO, ON (April 9, 2013) – On the evening of April 6, 2013 over 700 charitable attendees devoured cotton candy, fresh popcorn and decadent chocolate amongst fire-eaters, stilt walkers, strong men and a bearded lady at the Fairmont Royal York in support of the 18^th Annual Starlight Children’s Foundation Gala.

Celebrity supporters including Dragon’s Den’s Arlene Dickinson, ET Canada’s Rick Campanelli, MTV’s Matt Barker, Fashion Model Stacey McKenzie, The Listener’s Ennis Esmer and Rainbow Sun Francks, Love It Or List It’s Hilary Farr, App Central’s Amber MacArthur, Proud FM’s Mike Chalut and The Next Star’s Mark Spicoluk among others joined host CTV weather anchor, Anwar Knight for an evening of magic, wonder and excitement.

 “This year will mark our most successful gala to date. We’re absolutely thrilled with the amount of support and generosity from all attendees, volunteers, and celebrity talent. The money raised helps us to deliver our in-hospital and out-of-hospital programs and brighten the lives of seriously ill children and families.” said Starlight President, Christopher Barry.

Ticket-holders were granted access to a variety of priceless auction items including a sleepover at Toys“R”Us (the Gala’s presenting sponsor), a walk-on role and set visit to CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries and a private screening for 300 people to DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film, Turbo 3D.

The $500,000 was raised through the evening’s live and silent auctions, games room and Starlight bear sales and, through Starlight Canada’s programs, gives seriously ill children the opportunity to laugh, play and just be kids again.

About The Starlight Children’s Foundation:

Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is a charitable organization that brings smiles, laughter and joy back into the lives of children with serious illness through in-hospital distractive entertainment and out-of-hospital fun family events.

Website: http://www.starlightcanada.org
Twitter: @StarlightCanada
Facebook: http://www.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 74 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca  orhttp://www.babiesrus.ca

For interview requests or more photos please contact:

Cory Stewart
Embrace Disruption PR
647.638.1586
cory@embracedisruption.com

All photos courtesy of George Pimentel Photography:

CTV’s Amber Mac:

CBC’s Arlene Dickinson:

ProudFM’s Mike Chalut:

ET Canada’s Rick Campanelli and wife Angie:

1 Girl, 5 Gays’ Matt Barker:

The Next Star’s Mark Spicoluk:

Degrassi’s Taysha Fuller:

Love It Or List It’s Hilary Farr:

Fashion Icon & Model Stacey McKenzie:

Celebrity Designer Glen Peloso, NewsTalk 1010′s Pay Chen, and KiSS 92.5′s Taylor Kaye:

TORONTO, ON (March 4, 2013) – Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is embarking upon their 18^th annual Fundraising Gala on April 6, 2013 at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York (100 Front St West), hosted by CTV’s Weather Anchor Anwar Knight.

“Our gala continues to be one of the most magical nights for all those involved with Starlight. It’s a chance for our supporters, donors and organizers to meet and celebrate the work that we do to benefit Canadian children living with a serious illness or life-altering injury,” said Christopher Barry, President of Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada.

Starting at 6:00 p.m., guests of the event will be treated to a renaissance carnival theme including dinner and silent auction accompanied by a selection of entertainment and sideshows in order to raise funds for the charity. 

Celebrities scheduled to attend include: Dragon’s Den’s Arlene Dickinson, fashion icon Stacey Mackenzie, CTV’s Amber MacArthur, MTV’s Matt Barker, YTV’s Next Star judge Mark Spicoluk, Love It Or List It’s Hilary Farr, cast members from television shows such as Degrassi: Next Generation, Murdoch Mysteries, and The Listener along with many other notable Canadians.

Starlight also welcomes an extensive list of sponsors and donors in support of their 18^th annual gala. Supporters include: Presenting Sponsor, Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us; newly announced Diamond Sponsor, Great Blue Heron Casino; and Silver Sponsor, Playtex Infant.

The Starlight Gala remains one of the foundation’s largest sources for fundraising, with $300,000 in donations collected at last year’s event. Tickets to this year’s event can be purchased online by visiting http://www.starlightmatters.com/gala. 

About The Starlight Children’s Foundation of Canada: 

Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is a charitable organization that brings smiles, laughter and joy back into the lives of children with serious illness or life-altering injury through in-hospital distractive entertainment and out-of-hospital fun family events.

Website: http://starlightmatters.com/gala

Twitter: @StarlightCanada

Facebook: http://www.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 74 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca  or http://www.babiesrus.ca

About Great Blue Heron Casino:

The Great Blue Heron 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 Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and OLG.

About Playtex Infant:

Playtex Products LLC, a division of Energizer Personal Care, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of infant products including the Playtex(r) Drop-Ins(r)  bottle System and Ventaire(r) bottles; The First Sipster(r), Lil’ Gripper(r), Insulator(r), Coolster(r), and Sipster(r) cups; mealtime plates, bowls and utensils; OrthoPro(r) and Binky(r) pacifiers; and the Diaper Genie(r) diaper pails. Playtex and all other trademarks are owned or licensed by Playtex Products, LLC.

For interview requests or photos please contact:

Cory Stewart

Embrace Disruption PR

647.638.1586

cory@embracedisruption.com

TORONTO, ON (January 29, 2013) – Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is pleased to announce Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us Canada are returning as Diamond Sponsors for their 18^th annual Fundraising Gala on April 6, 2013 at The Fairmont Royal York.

Since 1998, Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us have supported Starlight through annual in-store sales of Starlight Stars and the annual Starlight Gala.  “We are pleased and proud to be the lead sponsor for Starlight Children’s Gala” said Kevin Macnab, President, Toys”R”Us Canada  “Children have always been the focus of our charity work and we are thrilled to have donated over $10.2 million to Starlight to date.  We look forward to partnering with Starlight and other Starlight Gala sponsors to help even more children and their families in 2013.”

Christopher Barry, President of Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada said, “Our community outreach and in-hospital programs have been greatly enhanced with the help of Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us Canada. We are pleased to have the generous support of such a fantastic organization, and look forward to a successful fundraising event.”

Starlight is also welcoming several other sponsors to support their gala such as sparkAV, Cineplex, The Brettler/Mintz Foundation, DST Output Canada Inc., and media sponsor Metroland Media Group.

The Starlight gala remains one of the foundation’s largest sources for fundraising, with $300,000 in donations collected at last year’s event. Tickets to this year’s event can be purchased online by visiting http://www.starlightmatters.com/gala.

About The Starlight Children’s Foundation of Canada: 

Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is a charitable organization that brings smiles, laughter and joy back into the lives of children with serious illness or life-altering injury through in- hospital distractive entertainment and out-of-hospital fun family events. 

Website: http://www.starlightmatters.com

Twitter: @StarlightCanada

Facebook: http://www.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 74 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca  or http://www.babiesrus.ca

About Metroland Media:

With more than 100 trusted community and daily newspapers both in print and online, as well as innovative websites including flyerland.ca, save.ca and gottarent.com; Metroland Media is dedicated to delivering relevant and quality communication vehicles that reflect the local voice and connect its readers to their community.

For media or interview requests, please contact:

Cory Stewart

Embrace Disruption PR

647.638.1586

cory@embracedisruption.com