TORONTO (February 8, 2017) — Brands For Canada, Canada’s most cost-efficient charity will unite hearts on Friday, February 10th at 6:00 PM as they host the United Hearts Gala, featuring several distinguished Canadian guests and performers. The event will raise money for two Brands For Canada initiatives; the Students’ Basics Program as well as the Shelter Program. These programs focus on supporting impoverished members of Canadian society with care packages and supplies. This incredible gala will take place at the Liberty Grand in the Governor’s Ballroom.
The Brands For Canada ‘United Hearts Gala’ is destined to be one of Toronto’s largest, most glamorous charity events of 2017. With culturally diverse installations of dancing, art, music, and fashion, this gala should be on everyone’s list of not-to-be-missed events this year. Few large-scale charity events occur each year that are so inclusive to those who are looking to contribute to such a widespread cause. Confirmed distinguished guests include The Honourable Minister of Finance, Charles Sousa.
Host of the landmark event will be beloved television personality from CTV’s The Social and etalk, Traci Melchor. Traci’s career has seen her interview hundreds of the biggest stars in entertainment and as a true renaissance woman, she supports various charitable organizations and events.
“By engaging individuals, corporations and organizations in conversations about how they can make a direct impact on the lives of those in need, we are creating a service for a circular economy, as we bridge the gap between surplus production and meeting the immediate needs of communities dealing with poverty,” says Helen Harakas, Executive Director, Brands For Canada.
Brands For Canada is thrilled to have TD Bank Group continue its support of our organization as Presenting Sponsor of the United Hearts Gala and are so pleased that Sylvia Fazzolari, Vice President of Commercial Banking will be present to provide welcome remarks on behalf of TD.
Generous sponsors include: Labatt; the after-party sponsor, Viana Roofing, Boston Scientific, Cortel Group, TACC. Development; the entertainment sponsor, and media sponsors, St. Joseph Media and Rogers Media. The principle program sponsor is P&G.
United Hearts encompasses two specific programs:
UNITED HEARTS STUDENT PROGRAM: In partnership with the Toronto District School Board; Brands For Canada delivers care packages filled with basic necessities such as new clothing, personal care items and school supplies directly to 300 schools for their students in need.
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UNITED HEARTS SHELTER PROGRAM: Children, women, men, and families entering shelters will be gifted with backpacks of new, comforting items such as pajamas, slippers, toys, toothbrushes and blankets. The United Hearts program is linked to a new poverty awareness campaign directed at educating students and the public about Empathy, Gratitude and Unity for all members of the community.
GALA HIGHLIGHTS: Guests can contribute to the valuable on-going work of United Hearts by participating in a variety of events at the gala. They can bid on circulating silent auction items during the evening. Then Auctionista Layne will wow guests with her engaging style as she leads the exciting live auction. Layne is one of just three Benefit Auctioneer Specialists (BAS) graduates in Canada, and among the less than one percent of Auctioneers in North America with this specialized training. Among the big-ticket items at the live auction is a trip for four to the Torre Fiore Hotel Masseria in Basilicata, in the stunning south of Italy, donated by the FRAM Group and valued at $9,000. Whitney Linen is giving guests the opportunity to bid on a bespoke linen gown and suit, with a designer fitting at Marlon Durant Studio in Yorkville valued at $5500. Or, guests may bid on a sweet and early holiday treat from Fashion Santa, who will make sure your festive card photos are taken to the next level.
The Luxury Zone will be available for guests who want to sneak a peek at designer brand products such as shoes, bags, belts and briefcases. Pop-up art installations by Shawn Skeir in the VIP Cocktail Lounge, Award-Winning Club designer Michael Holtzman, jewellery stations and incredible Canadian food and drink from a variety of hosts, like Bar Buca’s espresso installation, are a part of what makes this event a night to remember.
Guests will also be able to purchase tickets to a wild after-party beginning at 9:30 PM. DJ Carl Allen will be spinning 70’s and 80’s music. Choreographer Esie Mensah has an afro-dance performance planned, along with other entertainment from vocalist and pianist Bianca, to Petergail Williams and Miles Raine. Samba Squad and Dance Migration will close off dinner with a sexy performance. The iPhone Lounge and Labatt’s Stella Artois installations are sure to wow all attendees. Tickets for the gala $225 (dinner and after-party) or $75 (after-party only) are available at https://www.brandsforcanada.com/unitedhearts/
Twitter: #BeABrandForCanada Facebook: Brands For Canada
ABOUT BRANDS FOR CANADA: Brands For Canada (formerly known as Windfall Basics) was founded in 1992. We collect surplus and unsold new goods, redirect goods that would otherwise end up in landfills and distribute new goods to Canadian families. By 1996, the organization was receiving and distributing more than 9,000 pieces of clothing per month. We have over 200 brand partners consisting of leading Canadian brands, retailers and corporations. We receive more than 900,000 pieces of clothing, personal care items and housewares annually and were rated as the number one most cost-effective charity in Canada by MoneySense Magazine in 2010 and 2013. Over the last 25 years, in conjunction with our donors and social service agency distribution partners, we have helped over 1.2 million individuals, kept almost 4 million kilograms of goods out of landfills, saved Canadians in need over $420 million, donated over 420 million dollars’ worth of goods and saved 31.7 billion litres of water. www.brandsforcanada.com
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