Mayor Bevilacqua announces $250-million milestone at the 2022 Vaughan Mayor's Gala
Tonight, during the 2022 Vaughan Mayor's Gala, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua announced a transformational $30-million gift from HBNG Holborn Group, an independent investment and real estate management firm based in Vaughan.
"As Mayor of the City of Vaughan and Chair of the Mackenzie Health Ultimate Campaign, I want to express my warmest and sincerest gratitude to John A. D'Angelo, Giuseppe Maio and Claudio Memme for their very generous contribution to Mackenzie Health. HBNG Holborn Group is an enlightened firm that understands and practices corporate social responsibility. As a result of their $30-million donation, we have officially reached our $250-million Ultimate Campaign milestone. Thanks to their spirit of generosity, we are building a world-class healthcare network in York Region," Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said in a keynote address infront of 1,000 people.
After more than a decade-long journey, Vaughan is emerging as an epicentre of healthcare excellence in Canada. Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is the country's first smart technology hospital and the first net-new hospital to open in Ontario in 30 years. Opened initially in February 2021 to support the provincial COVID-19 response, then as a full-service community hospital on June 6, 2021, the 1.2 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will continue to play an important role in addressing the healthcare needs of today and into the future. Tonight’s historic announcement comes nearly one year after the hospital opened its doors to provide first-class care to residents in Vaughan and surrounding communities.
The presenting sponsor for the City of Vaughan’s 2022 Mayor's Gala was Zzen Group of Companies. The theme of this year's event was "An Evening of Gratitude," and marked the first in-person Mayor's Gala since 2019. Gurdeep Ahluwalia, Co-host of The Pooja & Gurdeep show on 98.1 CHFI, was the emcee and evening entertainment included performances by Vaughan's own Nicolina Bozzo, Top 5 contestant, American Idol, Season 20; Roberta Battaglia, Golden Buzzer recipient on America's Got Talent, Season 15; Mo Guzman, singer and guitarist; Lincoln Haggart-Ives, violinist and DJ Carmenlinda DiManno. All funds raised will be directed to the Spirit of Generosity commitment, which continues its meaningful support of more than 200 not-for-profit and community organizations, including youth, seniors, special education, the arts, culture, diversity, equity and inclusion.
QUOTES
"When I was first elected mayor in 2010, Vaughan did not have a hospital, a subway, a downtown core, a university, a 900-acre park or 70,000 new jobs. Working together with dedicated and purposeful citizens, that has all changed! Today, we have Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital – Canada's first smart hospital delivering world-class healthcare services; Niagara University, Vaughan and York Region's first university; the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre – our downtown core that will welcome 75,000 residents; North Maple Regional Park, which is larger than New York's Central Park; a subway that connects us to communities beyond our borders and impressive economic growth that has created 70,000 new jobs since 2010. Vaughan is a safe and caring city, where people every day dedicate their time and energy to give back. The Spirit of Generosity committment continues to support more than 200 not-for-profit organizations that play a vital role in serving every segment of our community – including youth, seniors, special education, the arts, culture, diversity, equity and inclusion. The city of Vaughan is defined by its spirit of generosity and gratitude."
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
"It is an honour for the HBNG Holborn Group to give this meaningful gift that will be a lasting investment in the health and well-being of the people of Vaughan and families throughout the Greater Toronto Area. It is equally special that this donation successfully brings the Ultimate Campaign to its $250-million milestone. We thank Mayor Bevilacqua for his life-long commitment to public service and for the opportunity to bring us together to make this historic announcement."
- HBNG Group
“We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate this major milestone and are very grateful for this generosity, which will benefit the people of Vaughan, Richmond Hill, King and neighbouring communities for decades to come. To HBNG Holborn Group and to our entire community of donors, volunteers and supporters, we say a profound thank you.”
- Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health
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