Photos courtesy of Enzo Villa
Do you believe in magic?
The Oxford dictionary defines magic as the power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.
One might say there was something magical about the parade of stunningly beautiful Christmas trees that evoked gasps and sighs from guests as they arrived at last year’s CCS Christmas Gala.
And I believe one would be right. And their magic certainly did not end there.
Anne Thompson, wife of Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson, remembers being asked in the fall of 2016 to Chair the event. “I have no shortage of volunteer commitments” she smiles, “but CCS does such great work in our community with the disadvantaged and the vulnerable. So the opportunity to be involved in re-envisioning this 20-year old event into a big signature Gala was intriguing. And to be totally honest, it was the idea of the Celebration of Trees that really hooked me. I was sure that would create a ripple effect.”
A ripple effect indeed. First, Canadian Tire stepped up and donated all the trees, pre-lit, 7-1/2 footers. Then Cheltenham’s Tracy Kortekaas worked to assemble local artists and designers who donated their inspiration, and their time, to create spectacular trees that one could only define as simply….magical.
How about a tree that represents an angel, designed by Carolynn Tersigni, complete with wings? Or a tree, the creation of Patricia Irwin from The Quest for Cakes, that was adorned with gingerbread and shortbread? Or another, designed by Darlene Downey of Downey Farms, that was, top to toe, decorated with fudge? Or a tree with a Man Cave theme?
And when the trees were auctioned off at the event that night the ripple effect continued. Some of the purchasers decided to re-donate their trees to wonderful community organizations like the Vera Davis Centre and Family Transition Place.
And that angel tree? It provided perhaps the most magical moment of all. As conversations went on throughout the evening its purchaser ended up connecting with the family of a patient of Dr. Elana Fric. Heartbreakingly the beloved family doctor had been found murdered in Vaughan just days before the Gala. An agreement was made to re-purchase the angel tree and gift it to the Scarborough and Rouge Hospital where it was displayed in Fric’s memory that Christmas, and will be each year moving forward.
“It was like the goodwill just kept on going” says Anne, who is clearly just as excited about this year’s upcoming December 2nd Gala.
The tree designers for the 2017 event include:
– Angela McKinnon – Home Dream Designs
– Kassandra Baird – The Glitter Parlour
– Johanna Downey – Regional Councillor (who has a background in design)
– Timea Edelenyi – The Glitter Beauty Bar, Timea & Co.
– Patricia Irwin – The Quest for Cakes Bakery
– Carolynn Tersigni – Carolynn Tersigni Designs
– Darlene Downey – Downey’s Farm Market
– Jacqui Viaene – Urban Barnhaus Design
– Paulina Bertoia-Vrozos – Blaze in Style, Inside Out Designs
Once again Canadian Tire has donated all the trees, including one “outfitted” with their Canvas line.
“This team, like all the Gala volunteers, works incredibly hard,” Anne continues, “but we still couldn’t make it a success without the businesses who step up, the artists, the sponsors, and everyone who does whatever they can to make it happen.”
“Never underestimate the power of what a committed group of people coming together for a common purpose can do.”
Event details and ticket information about the 2017 Flato CCS Home for the Holidays Gala may be found HERE
