A record 800 attendees (at $300 per person), lent their support through a silent auction, donation cards and unscheduled fundraising events. Emceed by Citytv’s Breakfast Television host Kevin Frankish, the night featured singer-songwriter Justin Hines and Aubrey Mann’s – A Night at the Apollo.
During the evening of dinner and dancing, industry leaders were presented with awards in recognition of their contributions to the community. The Corporate Friend of We Care Award was presented to Ecolab for its ongoing corporate commitment to Easter Seals through Friends of We Care Inc. The We Care Hall of Fame Award went to Vino Mistry of Sysco Canada, recognizing his significant contributions to the growth and development of the foodservice and hospitality industry. The Gary Wright Humanitarian Award, named in honour of the Friends of We Care founder, was presented to Edwin Sokoloff of Churchill Cellars, an active supporter for more than 25 years.
The final tally of funds raised is not yet available, but We Care did present a cheque of more than $1 million to Easter Seals as its 2010 donation, bringing its total contribution to more than $15 million since its founding. Every $200 raised represents one camp day for a disabled child at one of the many Easter Seals camps across Canada.
