Sports celebrity banquet to benefit local JCCs

By Daniel Horowitz --
On Wednesday, May 9, a number of well known Canadian sports celebrities will be coming together for the JCCs of the Greater Toronto Area in a special fundraising evening at the Palais Royale.

Proceeds from the benefit will be used to expand youth sports programs that the Miles Nadal JCC, Bathurst JCC and the Schwartz/Reisman Centre ¬ part of the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus in Vaughan - offer to the many diverse residents of the GTA.

All three GTA JCCs are initiatives of UJA Federation’s Tomorrow Campaign, chaired by Gerald Schwartz and Lawrence Tanenbaum. Also on hand for the banquet will be Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball and Liar’s Poker.

“This is a unique opportunity for the three JCCs of the GTA and the beneficiaries are the families and community we serve,” said Sherry Kulman, executive director, Bathurst JCC. “We are delighted to be joining the Miles Nadal JCC and the Schwartz-Reisman Centre on this exciting community-wide initiative.”

Joining in the festivities will be NHL alumni Ted Lindsay, Johnny Bower, Wilf Paiement, World Boxing Champion Steve Molitor, Olympians Marnie McBean, George Karrys, John Child, members of the gold medal-winning women’s hockey team, and many more.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support of the professional sports teams and the corporate community,” said Harold Wolkin, president, Miles Nadal JCC and chair of the event. “We cannot thank these celebrities and corporate donors enough for affording us the opportunity to enrich the lives of our kids. The confidence they have shown in us is tremendous. Without them this benefit would not be possible.”

The event, being held at Palais Royale Ballroom on Lakeshore Blvd., will allow guests to mix and mingle with the celebrities at dinner, take part in a live auction, and win prizes in a raffle. The event will feature TSN’s Michael Landsberg as the Master of Ceremonies.
A special presentation will be made to the 2007 JCC Sportsman of the Year, Richard Peddie, president & CEO, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

“Richard has been instrumental in Toronto’s sports scene for many years,” said Ellen Cole, executive director, Miles Nadal JCC. “He gives tirelessly of his time and energy to many community initiatives and we want to publicly recognize his contribution.”

For more information please contact 416-924-6211 extension 121.