Kol Hope Foundation raises over $75,000 in 2nd Annual Charity Drive

Kol Hope Foundation raises over $75,000 in 2nd Annual Charity Drive

TORONTO-The Kol Hope Foundation for Children held its 2nd Annual Charity Ball on March 27, 2004 at the Marriott Eaton Hotel in Toronto with over 550 volunteers and supporters in attendance.

The event marked the culmination of the foundation’s Second annual charity drive which yielded gross proceeds of over $75,000 and net proceeds of $53,429.75. Net proceeds from the fund-raising campaign will be donated as follows: $10,000 to the Kol Hope Fund at the Hospital for Sick Children, bringing the total to $35,000, $25,000 to the Kol Hope Easter Seal Fund at the Easter Seal Society of Canada, and $10,000 to the two orphanages in the Philippines.

Kol Hope Foundation president Melinda P. Rustia expressed her gratitude and said “I wish to thank all our Friends of Kol volunteers and supporters as well as the community at large representing a cross-section of our society who gave wholeheartedly in the spirit of charity for a good cause.” She added, “Many children afflicted with chromosome disorder (Trisomy 13, Autistic, Down Syndrome just to name a few) will benefit from your generosity, not only from being able to have access to immediate medical care and specialized equipment, but also from the long-term benefit of continuing research conducted by the Hospital for Sick Children.”

The highlight of the event was the drawing of the raffle prizes, and the winners are as follows: First Prize: 2 Round trip tickets to the Philippines No. 14942 won by Vemelin Tenoso (sold by Edna Pahilanga); Second Prize: 2 Round trip tickets to Paris, France with accommodation No. 12492 won by Daniela Sresto (sold by Eddie Chan); Third Prize: 2 Round trip tickets to Las Vegas, Nevada with accommodation No. 01300 won by Cora Roxas (sold by Nenita Enriquez).

A feature presentation was the special ballroom medley performed by members of The Kol Hope Dancers comprising of 22 couples, who regaled the crowd with their synchronized and elegant dance number.

The charity ball was graced by prominent members of the Filipino community as well as key non-Filipino supporters who came out to celebrate the event in style. Some of the notable guests were Drs. Jun and Nenette de Villa, Lord Deputy Mayor Art T. Viola of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Michelle Sharp of Easter Seal Society of Canada, Dr. Stephen Meyn, M.D.of the Hospital for Sick Children and Chairperson of The Kol Hope Medical Advisory Board, TV personality Sharon Navarro, Barbara Jones of Barbara Jones Media, among others.

PRESS RELEASE