
Glen Baxter
The 2nd annual Right to Play Charity Ball brought in a ton of celebrities in support of “Right to Play”, dubbed one of Canada’s fastest growing international humanitarian organizations. The Right to Play Ball was founded by Glen Baxter, fashion television journalist, host of CTV’s In Fashion, and just an all-round nice guy. It was an incredible success at last year’s gala where $80,000 was raised for the Right to Play charity.
Any event at the Shangri-La Hotel is great and this charity gala was definitely no exception. Featuring music by DJ Tony Okungbowa from the Ellen Degeneres Show and DJ Jojo Flores and Lapelle Music. It was raining that evening so it was nice that the large terrace was covered with a tent and swanky outdoor furniture.
Guests enjoyed hors d’oeurves and drinks by Peroni, Belvedere Vodka, Hennessy, Ardberg whiskey. VIP guests got to enjoy the VIP reception hour and also received a gift card from Mastercard, the official sponsor of the event. Silent auction items included a Hamilton watch valued at $2,200 as well as a 7 night stay in a 2 bedroom villa at Grand Isle Resort in Exhuma, Bahamas ($7,000 value).
It was also Kardinal Offishall’s birthday after midnight, so it was great to be able to wish him happy birthday in person. Cupcakes were passed around to celebrate “Mr. International’s” birthday.
It really turned into a dancing party when DJ Tony Okungbowa got going and then it got even wilder when supermodel Stacy McKenzie got up to dance with him. What an incredible night!

Jen Kirsch, Sabrina Maddeaux

Jen Kirsch, Candice Chan, Natalie Deane

Kardinal Offishall and friends

George Sully, Jeremy Singer, Chrissy Newton, Justin Edmead, Jen Kirsch

Rosie MacLennan, 2012 Olympic Gold medalist for trampoline

Gail McInnes, Ainsley Kerr, Elena Semikina (Miss Universe Canada 2010)

Jen Kirsch, Director X

Kardinal Offishall, Director X

Stacey Mckenzie, DJ Tony Okungbowa
Here’s some notable tweets from the Right to Play Ball
The one and only @Glen_Baxter getting styled for #RightToPlayBall charity event http://t.co/c0MBxmpZxP… http://t.co/mAIiFXAsDV
— GOTSTYLE (@gotstyle) April 25, 2013
Our main men have arrived- @Glen_Baxter @TONYOK @JohannKoss at the #RightToPlayBall pic.twitter.com/hIDfTFEGIL
— Right To Play (@RightToPlayCAN) May 11, 2013
Can't miss the #Leafs game? Have no fear, we're watching it at #RightToPlayBall's @samsungcanada listening station: pic.twitter.com/wDlXje6iQz
— Right To Play (@RightToPlayCAN) May 10, 2013
A big thank you to @djjojoflores and @TONYOK for a successful #RightToPlayBall @ShangriLaTO pic.twitter.com/j0ngCKMobe
— Glen Baxter (@GlenBaxterTO) May 11, 2013
Happy Birthday @KardinalO ! @RightToPlayCAN #enjoythecupcakes pic.twitter.com/azADPGnopR
— Brill Communications (@brillcomm) May 11, 2013
Happy Birthday @KardinalO! Cupcakes all around at the #RightToPlayBall pic.twitter.com/a4lkp5wr4r
— Right To Play (@RightToPlayCAN) May 11, 2013
#righttoplay yup, that's Stacey Mackenzie behind the DJ booth https://t.co/1eJ1WxXEIo
— Gabrielle Totesau (@GabbyTotesau) May 11, 2013
Check out the video to learn more about one of Canada’s fastest growing international humanitarian organization:
ABOUT RIGHT TO PLAY
Is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. It was founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur. Through sports and games, we help children build essential life skills and better futures, while driving social change in their communities with lasting impact.
For more information visit www.righttoplay.com
Photos below and also on the Facebook photo album here.
- Gillian Moody, Lucian Matis
- l: Lucian Matis
- Anita, Kirk Pickersgill, Suzanne Boyd, Stephen Wong
- r: Joseph Akelian
- Stacey Mckenzie, DJ Tony Okungbowa
- Olivia Jordan Lewis, Omar Leslie
- Glenn Dixon
- George Sully, Gillian Moody
- Jennifer Bassett
- Evan Biddell
- Samsung Listening Lounge
- Samsung Listening Lounge
- Mitch Parker, Amira de Vera
- r: Eryne
- r: Jonathan Hood (Toronto Argonauts, defensive back)
- r: Jonathan Hood (Toronto Argonauts, defensive back)
- l: J Diggz
- c: Mike Chalut, Proud FM
- r: Julian Brass
- Mike Chalut, Proud FM, Olesia
- Mike Chalut, Proud FM, Eryne
- Eryne, Jay Strut
- Julian Brass
- Jen Kirsch, Sabbrina Maddeaux
- Sonia Recchia
- Jay Strut, Stacey Mckenzie
- Christian Dare, Gail McInnes
- Gail McInnes, Sabrina Maddeaux
- Sonia Recchia, Ernesto
- l: Sonia Recchia
- Ernesto, Sonia Recchia, Nick
- Nick, Sonia Recchia
- Nicki Laborie, Kimberly Lyn, Sonia Recchia
- Nicki Laborie, Kimberly Lyn, Sonia Recchia
- r: Aristotle
- Glen Baxter, DJ Jojo Flores
- Omar Leslie
- Glen Baxter
- Candice Chan
- Johann Koss, President and CEO of Right to Play International
- Karen Johnson (Canada AM), Meg Sethi (Evolution PR)
- Sonia Recchia at work
- DJ Tony Okungbowa
- r: J Diggz
- Natalie Deane
- r: Kimberly Lyn
- Stacey Mckenzie, Director X
- r: Elena Semikina (Miss Universe Canada 2010)
- Gail McInnes, Elena Semikina (Miss Universe Canada 2010)
- Elena Semikina (Miss Universe Canada 2010)
- Natalie Deane, Stacey Mckenzie
- Justin Edmead, Jen Kirsch
- Kardinal Offishall and friends
- l: Gillian Moody
- Jen Kirsch, Director X
- Jen Kirsch, Director X
- DJ Tony Okungbowa (The Ellen Degeneres Show)
- Kardinal Offishall, Stacey Mckenzie
- Kardinal Offishall
- Kardinal Offishall, Director X
- Olivia Jordan Lewis, Omar Leslie
- Olivia Jordan Lewis, Omar Leslie
- Olivia Jordan Lewis
- Olivia Jordan Lewis, Omar Leslie
- r: Omar Leslie
- Jen Kirsch, Candice Chan, Natalie Deane
- Stacey McKenzie at the DJ booth
- Andrea Bolley, Jen Kirsch, Jay Strut, Candice Chan, Sabrina Maddeaux
- Chrissy Newton, Justin Edmead, Jen Kirsch
- George Sully, Jeremy Singer, Chrissy Newton, Justin Edmead, Jen Kirsch
- Olivia Jordan Lewis
- Kalista Zackhariyas, Gail Gabrielle, Sasha Stolz
- “The Boss” cocktail: Hennessy VS shaken with fresh lemon juice and cinnamon infused frozen cranberry
- Rosie MacLennan, 2012 Olympic Gold medalist for trampoline,
- Stacey Mckenzie, Glen Baxter
- Tatiana Read, Jen Kirsch