10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala

The Minstrel Foundation held its 10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala at the Granite Club on May 27th 2008. Headline entertainers were Canadian Jazz greats Carol Welsman and Guido Basso with their band. As a surprise treat, saxophonist Mike Ruby joined Carol and Guido in an old fashioned jam session to cap off an electrifying evening of entertainment.

Robert Pilon worked his magic as our auctioneer for several live auction items including a house party performance by Jazz musician and Minstrel Foundation protégée Thomson Egbo-Egbo, a week at an Irish Estate, a week in a beachfront home in Hilton Head, a week at the Four Seasons Aviara, a week at the Puento Romano Resort in Marbella and the opportunity to fly the Boeing 747 simulator at the Institute for Aerospace Studies.

The evening raised over $90,000 in support of our summer music camps, our year round music programs and our post secondary scholarships for inner city children.

We thank the many people who contributed greatly to the success of the evening through their hard work. Special thanks also goes to our platinum sponsors, Unilock and Sullivan Entertainment and our gold sponsors, HSBC, Cassels Brock, Cornerstone 52, St. Lawrence Cement, Cedar Ridge , Dr. Eggert Böehlau Orthodontist, the Gerry & Caren Ruby Family Foundation and Judy & David Galloway.