Children’s Foundation Community Raises $150,000 to Empower Local Children

 

 

The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington held its 12^th annual Around the World Gala on Saturday, October 14^th at the Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre. The gala is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser and attracts over 300 community supporters and guests. This year, guests, donors and sponsors together raised $150,000 to support the work of the Foundation to empower children and youth with opportunities to build hope for lifelong change and break the cycle of poverty.

“Poverty comes in many forms,” says Glenna Banda, Executive Director of the Children’s Foundation. “One of the repeated sentiments we hear from our donors as to why they give is the understanding that a simple turn of luck can drastically change someone’s circumstances.” With this understanding and with the desire to strengthen local communities, the Foundation’s supporters give what they can, whether in the form of fundraising or volunteer hours, to ensure that a safety net is there for those who need one.

Click to view photos from the evening and fun shots from the photo booth.

This year’s Gala attendees heard the story of a young man, now in his first year at university, who was able to fulfill his lifelong goal of studying to become a doctor because of the support of this safety net. “Had it not been for the Children’s Foundation Scholarship,” he addressed the room, “I would not have been able to go to university.”

“We’re so happy and grateful to celebrate these successes,” says Banda, “we literally couldn’t do this without the financial support of our donors. However, we still cannot help everyone and find ourselves turning many kids away, because there is simply not enough funding.” As the reach of the Children’s Foundation grows, more and more families in need come forward, and it is a constant struggle for the Foundation to balance its four core programs, striving to help as many kids as it can. “Our hope is that new Gala guests will be moved by the stories we share and join us to help in any way they can.”

Presented by Burnham Insurance & Financial Services Ltd. and The Co-operators, the gala presents a different theme each year and this year drew inspiration from Canada, including a Welcome Song from the local women’s drumming circle, “We Sing In Unity,” and featured musical entertainment from Canadian folk band, Chesterfield and the Sofa Kings.