SPRING 2015 FUNDRAISING EVENTS

St. Margaret Mary Gala

March 7
I was honoured once again to emcee the annual St. Margaret Mary Gala. I was suffering from a brutal bronchitis but thanks to encouragement given to me by Julian Fantino I made it through my opening speech (...and no one gives a better pep talk than a cop!!!!!!!) A warm thanks to Father Rony and Olga Bressan for inviting me to participate. Hugs to Lino Grasso of That's Italy for my super elegant dress!! 
*Photos courtesy of Mattia Bello and Luca Viorel of YOUR AD ONLINE   

smile emoticoI was suffering from a brutal bronchitis but thanks to encouragement given to me by Julian Fantino I made it through my opening speech (...and no one gives a better pep talk than a cop!!!!!!!) A warm thanks to Father Rony and Olga Bressan for inviting me to participate. Hugs to Lino Grasso of That'

Eda Cucakovich

taly for my super elegant dress!! was suffering from a brutal bronchitis but thanks to encouragement given to me by Julian Fantino I made it through my opening speech (...an

d

no one gives a better pep talk than a cop!!!!!!!) A warm thanks to Father Rony and Olga Bressan for inviting me to participate. Hugs to Lino Grasso of That's Italy for

3rd Annual Peacock Ball

March 13
Half of women in Canada have experienced physical or sexual abuse at least once in their lifetime and 67% of Canadians know someone personally who is the victim of this type of violence. Even more frightening it's believed that over 1 billion women worldwide have suffered domestic abuse. Raising awareness on this issue as well as equality for women is the Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women and its '3rd Annual Peacock Ball'. A big hug and thank you to Vaughan City Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco for inviting me to this event. Not only did I hear some powerful speeches from survivors I also met inspirational people and sampled amazing Indian food...nothing can beat that!

Vaughan Councillor Rossana DeFrancesca, Alessandra Piccolo, Vaughan Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco

Vaughan Deputy Mayor Di Biase and wife, Eliana

4th Annual Joey Conte Foundation Gala

April 17
I always feel extremely privileged to emcee charity events. However, the 4th Annual ‪#‎JoeyConteFoundation‬ Gala feels extra special to me. Benefiting Sick Children's Hospital Burn Program this fundraiser is in memory of Joey Conte who passed away in a tragic accident at the age of 26 . While I was working away I managed to spend some time talking to Joey's mom, Rosie, who told me that organizing this event is what keeps her going. To me she is another one of the city's great heroes. Rosie has turned her pain into something positive by raising funds and awareness to various causes that were dear to her son's heart.
To learn more about this charity visit: http://www.joeycontefoundation.com/

Burn survivor, Monica 

Rosie Conte

Monica and Dr. Joel Fish of Sick Children Hospital 

Joey's cousins Sandra Senatore and Steve Spizziri

Maple Pancake Festival 
April 18
Celebrating the decades-old Pancake Festival presented by the Maple Lion's Club in Vaughan.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

Members of Vaughan Council

Vaughan Film Festival Team

Eda Cucakovich - Celebration of Life

April 30 
Fashionistas and all those who loved the late Eda Pietrobon Cucakovich felt her presence at a fashion show held in her memory. This "Celebration of Life" managed to capture the very essence of the former model/ fashion show producer who passed away unexpectedly last year. Having met Eda I was very happy to participate and want to congratulate her niece Jennifer Lodovici Parolari and all of Eda's other family and friends who organized this incredible runway extravanganza....she would have been proud.

Model for the night! 

Miss India Canada

Ines Oliva, Model, Mirella Colaricci 

Designer Domenic Serio and Lisa Ventura 

McHappy Day

May 6

The line-ups were crazy at McDonald's (Hwy 7/27) in support of McHappy Day....and the occasion was definitely a good excuse for a BIG MAC treat!! Great to see friends from ByPeterandPauls.com, Vaughan Film Festival, City of Vaughan and countless others join Z103.5 at this fun live-on-location broadcast smile emoticon Established in 1977, McHappy Day has since raised over 46 million dollars for children's charities and Ronald McDonald Houses. There are 14 such houses across Canada which provide lodgings for out-of-town families of sick or injured children being treated at a nearby hospitals. 

Rita Borges (byPeterandPauls.com), Alessandra Piccolo (VFF), Tony Monaco (Z103.5FM), Anthony Pullano

Kat Callaghan and Tony Monaco (Z103.5FM)

Larry Garber (McDonald's owner), Tony Monaco, Deputy Mayor Michael Di Biase

Community advocate Carlo Mirabelli 

Woodbridge Mom 2 Mom Sale

May 23 
Kudos to organizer Sandra Moniz on another successful Woodbridge Mom 2 Mom Sale. This event helps local moms MAKE and SAVE money by giving them a space in which to sell their children's gently-used clothing, toys, furniture electronics etc. All proceeds of the door fee benefited Kinark Family Services - York Region.

Sandra Moniz