To mark the Dilwari Foundation’s 10th anniversary in philanthropy, the first annual Bliss Ball charity gala was held to benefit the SickKids Patient Amenities Fund. Bliss Ball brought a star-studded list of personalities and philanthropic families to the historic Fort York site for an elegant evening inside the “Innovation Dome”, a large, spacious tent with ceiling projections of bright, blue skies and clouds.
Inside the Innovation Dome at Fort York for the Bliss Ball gala
Headlining the evening were celebrities such as Martin Sheen, Selita Ebanks, Jennifer Hudson, the Bush sisters, Barbara Pierce Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, Rosie MacLennan and 12-year-old YouTube sensation, Maria Aragon.
Master of Ceremonies, Steven Page, performing an acoustic rendition of his hits
Barbara Pierce Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, Steven Page
The fine dining was delivered by Chef Mark McEwan with a menu featuring a trio of ahi tuna tartare, heirloom beet salad and truffle-dusted cauliflower puree. The main course included beef filet and pan seared halibut which was finished off with a apple crostata with cinnamon ice cream and a savoury toffee-glaze.
Table setting at Bliss Ball (Tara Noelle)
12-year-old Maria Aragon’s performance of her new song “You Are Enough” (JJ Thompson)
Academy and Grammy award winner, Jennifer Hudson, sang “And I am Telling You I’m Not Going” (Tara Noelle)
We spotted our friend, Deb Lewis, on the left!
Celebrity photographer, George Pimentel with our friend, Fashion Ecstasy
Victoria’s Secret Angel, Selita Ebanks
Selita Ebanks (Tara Noelle)
There was also a live auction with donations ranging from $50-$100,000 to the cause. The evening also featured the familiar sounds of Bellosound to end the night with dancing.
ABOUT THE DIWALRI FOUNDATION
Kap Dilawri, Ted Garrard, Ajay Dilawri, Tony Dilawri (JJ Thompson)
For more than two decades, the Dilawri Family has shown a deep commitment in supporting communities across Canada. With donations in the millions, the generosity of the family has touched thousands of lives, and continues to leave a lasting impression.
In 2002, the Dilawri Family established the Dilawri Foundation to oversee the family’s philanthropic activities. Through targeted philanthropy, the Dilawri Foundation continues to make a positive difference.
Through meaningful and targeted philanthropy, the Dilawri Group is committed to giving back to the communities through the Dilawri Foundation. As a Group and as individual Dealerships, we organize and hold numerous charity events and fundraisers throughout the year.
Dilawri Foundation expands the scope of giving, both inspiring and channeling charitable donations by our customers, colleagues, organizations, and brands associated with the Dilawri Group.
Learn more about the Dilawri Foundation’s philanthropy and how we have made significant differences in communities across Canada and around the world.
ABOUT SICK KIDS PATIENT AMENITIES FUND
When a child is in hospital, public health insurance funding covers the cost of care, but many incidental expenses are not covered. These can be minor, such as the cost of parking, or significant, such as the cost of essential drugs. When the child goes home or receives community-based services, there can be further expenses that are either not covered or only partially covered through community resources. These costs add up and for some families they can pose a serious financial challenge, and result in further compromise of a child’s health.
The Patient Amenities Fund at SickKids is a resource that exists to ensure that this does not happen. The Patient Amenities Fund is a source of financial assistance for families who have limited financial resources and whose child is being cared for by SickKids. Relying entirely on philanthropic support, the Fund reimburses families for such expenses for both inpatient and outpatient children. In addition, the Fund helps families with follow-up services where they are needed by a child in order to make a full recovery. Each year, the Patient Amenities Fund spends approximately $300,000 supporting 250 families.
Watch the video of Sick Kids “Together We Will”
www.sickkidsfoundation.com
Please help us Help Kids (Dilwari Foundation)
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