Mississauga, ON, November 6, 2019: The Community Foundation of Mississauga hosted their seventh annual gala fundraiser, made possible by many sponsors who extended their support including LiUNA Local 183, Goldblatt Partners, Cavalluzzo LLP, Grant Thornton, and BDO. Collectively from donors, stars and guests the Foundation raised just over $115,000 net dollars. Over the years the event has raised more than $620,000!
More than 440 guests attended the event fashioned after the popular TV show, this red carpet affair extended an exclusive evening complete with glitz, glamour, show-stopping dance numbers and more sequins then you can count. Held at the Mississauga Convention Centre, the cocktail reception kicked off the festivities at 5:30 p.m. Well known emcees for the evening Adrienne Fish and Norm Murray took the stage at 6:30 p.m. as VIPs and guests took their seats around the dance floor to enjoy a gourmet dinner. Mayor Bonnie Crombie and former Mayor Hazel McCallion were also in attendance.
The six high-profile executives stepped up to the competition including; David Shaw, Owner & Managing Director of Nurse Next Door; Shelley White, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council; John Digby, Senior A/M Commercial, Retail & Business Services at RBC; Jaime Cortez, Executive Board Member, CECOF Coordinator at LiUNA 183; Dr. Ian Dawe, Chief, Mental Health at Trillium Health Partners; and Joty Pannu, General Manager of Sauga Radio 960.
These ‘Stars’ of the event paired with a professional dancer from Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Mississauga, each performed one choreographed, ballroom style dance during the evening’s festivities. Dancing to raise funds for the community, the Stars were cheered on by an enthralled audience ever since they made their grand entrance in fancy new cars compliments of Audi Mississauga and walked across the red carpet for a grand entrance.
In addition to the above stars the event hosted their Alumni for a Group Dance Performance that was absolutely incredible and we are grateful to these extraordinary Mississauga Citizens!
The Grand Champion and winner of the ‘Mirror Ball Trophy’ Mr. John Digby, a resident of Peel Region and Senior A/M Commercial, Retail & Business Services at RBC received the highest fundraising, audience votes and the best dance performance score by judges Jake Dheer, Lisa MacLaggan and Cliff Silveira.
“A truly spectacular journey from the time I accepted the invitation to be part of this amazing event. I remember over seven years ago watching the first DWMS and speaking with Boris Jackman. I told him ‘one of these years I would accept the invite if I was asked to participate’-VOILA!! I have participated in many charity fundraisers over the past 30 years but this is by far my favourite; incredibly well organized from start to finish. I was blessed to have my family, friends and RBC colleagues witness this special event with 5 amazing dancers and their talented instructors from the Arthur Murray School of Dance. Martha Morrison was incredibly creative and patient with my dance routine-WOW! Thank you to the Community Foundation of Mississauga for making a difference in our community” John Digby
The Foundation had a live auction for the first time in the history of the event with prizes valued at $8,600 donated from Planned to Perfection Limited, Accor Management, Via Rail, The Easton Group, Grant Gilmour, & Royal Auto Collision.
“On behalf of the Grant Thornton team, we wanted to thank you for the invitation to Sponsor Mississauga’s Dancing with the Stars event. It was evident how much hard work went into hosting the event, and the Foundation did a great job! The amount of practice that went into performances shined through as the dancers lit up the stage. Our team had such a lovely evening” Leanne Rodrigo
Community Foundation of Mississauga
The Community Foundation of Mississauga is a registered charitable public foundation that seeks to build community vitality by providing efficient, flexible donor services and grants to a broad range of community initiatives, and provide leadership in understanding and responding to current and emergent community needs.
The foundation is supported by a number of Corporate Partners who are recognized organizations with a strong corporate social responsibility mandate; Influencer; KMB Law, Ambassadors; Assante Wealth Management, BDO, Mississauga Board of Trade, MNP, Pallett Valo LLP, and Lakeside and Advocates; Alectra, Farnham, MDP LLP, and Bayshore Home Health.
Incorporated and registered in 2001, the Foundation is a member of the national network, Community Foundations of Canada, and has experienced significant growth in endowed funds. The first grants from these funds were made in 2006. The Community Foundation of Mississauga is now managing over $22 million in endowed assets and has made over $12 million in cumulative grants. More than $1 million inn vital grants this year alone to assist charities across Mississauga. To learn more about the work of the Community Foundation of Mississauga, visit the main web site at www.CFofM.org.
Media Contact
Anne Marie Peirce, President & CEO - 905-897-8880