Vaughan Mayor's Gala sets fundraising record

Annual event generates $2 million to support local charities

Yorkregion.com
May 27, 2016
By Adam Martin-Robbins

The Vaughan Mayor’s Gala raked in a record $2 million this year to support dozens of local charities due, in large part, to generous contributions by some big-name real estate developers.

Greenpark Group, headed up by president and CEO Carlo Baldassarra, announced a donation of $1.2 million to the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital during the Wednesday evening event, the theme of which was Making Modern History

The development firm also chipped in $100,000 to serve as presenting sponsor for the annual black-tie soiree, which drew nearly 1,000 people to Terrace Banquet Hall for a cocktail reception, a three-course meal and a performance by Juno award-winner Jully Black.

Liberty Development Corp., meanwhile, coughed up $400,000 for the chance to name a street on the hospital lands at Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive, officially known as the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct, and to have a private dinner for 11 people with Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

Liberty president Fred Darvish was the successful bidder during the live auction to capture that prize - the proceeds of which will also go to support the hospital.

Other major supporters of the gala included: Diamond sponsors Cortel Group and Zancor Homes; platinum sponsors PowerStream, The Remington Group, SmartCentres, TACC Developments and gold sponsor Pfaff.

Sponsorship packages started at $7,500 for bronze sponsors and ranged up to $100,000 for presenting sponsor.

"I am proud to host the Mayor's Gala each year because of what it represents and who it supports,” Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said in a news release Thursday. “With every act of kindness and each dollar we raise, we are making someone's day brighter. Vaughan is a socially responsible community with people who genuinely care about one another. We are blessed to have citizens who give back, and, with each passing year, I continue to be inspired by the spirit of generosity that defines our community.”

Prior to Wednesday night , the mayor’s two major fundraising initiatives - the gala and golf tournament - had raised about $3.3 million combined to support more than 100 community and non-profit groups including local women’s centres, special education schools and sports groups.

Since 2011, proceeds from those two events have been used for a range of purposes including purchasing iPads for children with autism, expanding hospice programs, offering camp programs for children, providing toys at Christmas and helping victims of abuse.