2013 Mayor's Gala Supports Community Groups and Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital
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May 7, 2013
The City of Vaughan Mayor’s Gala celebrated ‘The Art of the Possible’ with a spectacular event at the Paramount Conference and Event Venue on Thursday, May 2. The evening featured performances by a number of local artists and a live auction for a dinner with the Mayor that raised a record $300,000 for the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.
The City of Vaughan Mayor’s Gala celebrated ‘The Art of the Possible’ with a spectacular event at the Paramount Conference and Event Venue on Thursday, May 2. The evening featured performances by a number of local artists and a live auction for a dinner with the Mayor that raised a record $300,000 for the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.
“I am humbled by the strong vote of confidence, trust and support by the community. I am fortunate to be the Mayor of a city whose spirit of generosity defines its very essence,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “The City of Vaughan is coming of age, and it is thanks to the over 300,000 people who every day in every way manifest their love of city that we are moving forward without leaving anyone behind. We have a subway coming, a hospital being planned, our downtown core is emerging, and Highway 427 is being extended. We are definitely a city on the move!”
This year’s gala raised over $700,000, and since 2011, the Mayor’s Gala has raised more than $1.5 million for the many not-for-profit and community organizations that provide important programs and services. Over the past two years, proceeds from the Mayor’s Gala have gone to help more than 80 organizations that cater to youth, seniors, people with special needs, women’s centres, special education schools and sports groups.
“The Art of the Possible is rooted in our deep belief that tomorrow can be better than today and that collectively we have a responsibility to make it so,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “When a community pools together and focuses on a common goal, all is indeed possible.”
The emcee for the 2013 Mayor’s gala was Rick Campanelli, co-host of Entertainment Tonight (ET) Canada. The evening featured a number of musical performances including Dia, a multilingual songstress and Vaughan native; dancers and choreographers Melissa Mitro and Adam Lo Papa, both featured on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada; Art and Soul Dance Company of Kleinburg; accordion master Claudio Santaluce; and spoken word artist Marshall Davis Jones. The presenting sponsor for the Mayor’s Gala was Cortel Group/Four Valleys Excavating & Grading/Expo City Condos.
The following are some of the not-for-profit and community groups that have benefitted from proceeds raised by the Mayor’s Gala.
Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, Yellow Brick House, Hospice Vaughan, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Alternatives, Reena Foundation, Caritas, Muki Baum Treatment Centres, Vaughan Food Bank, Sara Elizabeth Centre, CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish, ETA Vaughan, Shining Through Centre for Children with Autism, Vaughan in Action, Meta Foundation, Kids Help Phone, United Way of York Region, Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative SAVI, Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold, Woodbridge Legion Squadron 283, Human Endeavour Inc., Vaughan Cares, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Royal Canadian Legion, Run for Vaughan, Vitanova Foundation, Safehaven Project for Community Living, Vaughan in Motion, Villa Charities Foundation, Elspeth Heyworth Centre For Women, Humanity First, Children's Aid Foundation of York Region, The Olive Branch for Children, Hospice Thornhill, Maple Lions Club, The Carson Foundation, Na'amat Canada, York Region Environmental Alliance, Pathways for Children, Youth & Families of York Region, Opera York.
Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council at the 2013 Mayor’s Gala.
2013 Mayor’s Gala performers singer Dia, and dancers Melissa Mitro and Adam Lo Papa.