A GREAT VALENTINE GALA

    Once a year there's a Great Valentine Gala, a fundraiser for the physically challenged and we've been involved with it since it's inception 31 years ago. Hubby was one of the co-founders in in '84.
    This year it took place at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel on 
February 7th. My daughter joined us and hubby invited her partner and  put us all up at the hotel for an over night treat. 
   The three of us arrived by 3:30 despite the snowy road conditions and checkin was smooth. We were able to arrange for two rooms close by. I needed daughter to help me with a bit of make up to look extra special for this event. She arrived around 5. By 6:30 all of us were all dressed up in our new outfits. With a bit of eye shadow , blush and lipstick I felt glam. We were ready for the pre dinner reception next to the Grand Ballroom. At these functions I spend more time with Buddy while hubby mixes with former friends and his invited clients. 
   Buddy and our daughter were especially excited since she had not joined us for a number of years. They were looking forward to this fun time together. At 7 promptly we were ushered from the reception area to the Grand Ballroom to our tables. Hubby had bought a whole table because he also invited clients we'd known for years. Now we were all gathered together in on spot. Time for laughter  and fun.
   As soon as grace was offered the tambola balloons began circulating. I recalled how in past years we had to but together prizes to be offered in the balloons but now we could just sit and enjoy the fun as a new crew did all that work. Buddy, daughter and clients all bought their $60 balloon and then the popping began to reveal the prize number. A booklet at each place setting had all the corresponding prizes listed. Buddy won a threesome of elegant dripless candles. Daughter won a gift certificate for goodies from a party store. A client won a gift basket withe goodies from an LCBO shop. Prizes had to be picked up from the reception room by 11:30. 
   At 7:30 dinner was begun. During the dessert the speeches and recognition of award winners took place. This fund raisers plays a huge role in supporting the local Paralympic athletes and that was one of its founding missions, to recognize the hard work they do and to put them into the mainstream media. They have succeeded at that! We feel honoured to have played a small role in that over the 31 years.
   There is always a guest artist for entertainment and this year it was Matt Dusk who sang jazz songs while asking listers to get up and dance at the dance floor. Buddy and daughter did just that. As his show ended a DJ came along and more fun dance time followed. We all enjoyed our time together. Buddy sure had fun dancing with one clients' wife. Both were really into the spirit of the eve. Fun, fun, fun!

      Buddy chose a new red shirt and tie to go with his new grey slim pant suit.

He helped me find this lovely shiny, beaded black dress.

Here is Buddy's dance partner.. Behind her are the tambola balloons.

                       Daughter and her partner both decked out in their new outfits.

        Hubby introduces client to the founder of the Gala, Vim Kochhar (right).