Bright Lights!!

The Yonge Street Mission held its second annual fund raising gala, Bright Lights, An Evening for Education Fundraising presented by Mackenzie Financial Charitable Foundation on October 30, 2008 at the ROM ( see Sources & Links for more information ) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada! This fundraising gala benefitted its Scholarship Program.

The Schedule of Events :

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. VIP Reception in the ROM Gallery of Chinese Architecture

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Main Reception in the Samuel Hall Currelly

Gallery Canadian designer's fashions modelled

8:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Presentations by three of the 2008 Scholarship recipients; namely, Ismail, JJ and Domanique and Dr. Rick Tobias, President & CEO, Yonge Street Mission

Guests were greeted on the red carpet by children and youth from the Yonge Street Mission's Evergreen Centre and other neighbourhood branches, and enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, while models paraded in fashions by leading Canadian designers - they were accompanied by dancers in full ballerina attire, and entertained musically by Forte – The Toronto Men's Chorus. Guests had the opportunity to tour the new Canada Collects exhibit and hear presentations made by three recipients of the 2008 Scholarship Program. Raffel tickets were sold to raise additional money and gave guests the chance not only to support a worthy cause but to win fabulous fashion packages by some of Canada's leading designers, including: Brian Bailey, Hoax Couture, Franco Mirabelli, and Arthur Mendonca. Designs were modeled throughout the evening courtesy of Sutherland Models. Mackenzie Financial Charitable Foundation was the presenting sponsor of Bright Lights - An Evening of Arts for Education.

The Yonge Street Mission

Founded in 1896, The Yonge Street Mission meets the needs of people living in poverty. It provides emergency care and its goal is to foster long-term positive change in the lives of individual families.

The Yonge Street Mission Scholarship Fund Awards

The Yonge Street Mission Scholarship Fund awards post-secondary scholarships to youth who attend programs at Evergreen Centre for Street Youth or the Community Centre in Regent Park. Scholarships are based on financial need and are renewable for up to four years, with a group of recipients working with volunteer adult mentors providing students with academic and career advice and support.

Bright Lights 2008 was a bright event that raised funds for the Yonge Street Mission Scholarship Fund Awards program, a very worthy cause! Check back here next year for the third annual Bright Lights 2009!!

Ismail, JJ and Domanique