Nearly 1000 guests and countless supporters of this year’s Bollywood-inspired Teddy Bear Affair, which took place on November 15, helped raise $1.5 million for the Children’s Aid Foundation.

One hundred percent of the funds raised will go directly towards helping high-risk children across Canada. Founded in 1979, the Children's Aid Foundation is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of abused, neglected and high-risk children in Canada.

“We are so grateful to everyone who supported this event and for sharing our belief that every child deserves the chance to be a child,” said Ann Barnard Ball, Executive Director of the Children’s Aid Foundation.

“Through their generosity, the Children’s Aid Foundation will be able to help hundreds of thousands of Canadian kids escape abuse, neglect and poverty.”

Guests were enticed by exquisite live and silent auction items open for bidding throughout the evening. Live auction highlights included a stunning new condominium from Cresford Developments which closed at an astounding $265,000.

Silent auction items included a tree-planting ceremony in Trinity-Bellwoods park officiated by Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, as well as luxury trips to India, Tunisia, Australia, Vietnam and Hawaii, and a trip to New York City to meet author Malcolm Gladwell and have dinner with him at his favourite restaurant.

Breakfast Television’s Dina Pugliese and Kevin Frankish co-hosted the evening, while Tina Sugandh captivated guests with her unique tabla-fusion style, as did Canadian tabla master Ritesh Das and the Toronto Tabla Ensemble, who performed with renowned Indian Classical dancer Joanna De Souza. 

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