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Author: Mary Rinaldi
2023 Fundraising Gala/Campaign
SEC 16th Annual Night to Shine" Charity Gala
Thank you to everyone who joined us as we celebrated this happy occasion of being together once again on February 25th for an evening of delicious food, great company, dancing, live entertainment, prizes and so much more.
The theme for our 16th Annual Gala was, “If You Believe”. In addition to this being SEC’s onlyfundraising event, it allowed us to showcase various projects and initiatives that were funded by our mini-grant programs in the past two years during the pandemic as well as recognize some of our Star and Community Partners.
The money raised through this event
All the funds raised through admission tickets, donations and raffle tickets at our Annual Gala has gone to support the number of programs SEC is able to offer each year to our young adults with special needs.
Your commitment to support our annual appeal was very much appreciated as we reached 80% of our initial goal of $50K and although we did not reach the full amount , your generosity in giving in any amount always helps us to make a difference in our community by allowing us to continue our work.
PaintNight at SEC
Join us Oct 1st for a free night of art and music in collaboration with Vaughan Culture Days. Our gallery will also be open to the public so come and check out the work of our talented artists! Our schedule is as follows:
Paint Night @ 3pm & 5pm
Performance by Donny Smith @ 6pm (Check him out here)
Gallery Hours: 3pm-8pm
Sign up and register now for a paint night slot. Space is limited!
Michelle wins “The Peoples Choice Award”
And the Winner Is…
On September 26, our SEC Star, Michelle Turco was shining bright. Out of 13 artists whose paintings were displayed at the Studio at Assembly Park Inaugural Group Exhibition in Vaughan, only 2 artists were chosen to win. After receiving over 900 votes, Michelle’s painting, entitled, “Diamonds” won her one of those spots and was presented with the People’s Choice Award. We are all so proud of Michelle! What a great way to showcase your gift.
We’d like to thank all our families and friends that showed their support by coming out to the gallery and voting for Michelle’s painting and to Michelle’s parents, Cathy and Bill, for sharing Michelle with us at SEC.
A great big thank you to our staff program instructor, Elizabeth, for working with Michelle on her painting and for being not only a mentor but a guiding star in this whole process.
Congratulations to Michelle!!! Your painting is amazing and so are you. Thank you for always making SEC shine with your beautiful artwork.
2021 Fundraising Campaign – “Something to Smile About”
Thank you so much for your support of our campaign! Thanks to your generosity, we exceeded our goal of and raised over $51,000!!
Because of the support we received from people like you who believe in our vision,the Sara Elizabeth Centre can continue to provide exceptional inclusive and interactive art-based programs to all our young adults with special needs.
With the additional funds raised , we can now look into expanding our programming to include technology training and a virtual program that will enhance the knowledge of basic software applications, online tools, and internet social media platforms for both personal and professional purpose.
Welcome Back to SEC
Thank you to all our donors and supporters who made this possible!
SEC 2020 Annual Charity Gala
Thank you to everyone for your support and for making this fundraiser a great success!
Click Here to watch Highlights of SEC 2020 Charity Gala Event
“It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of this event again this year! This organization is filled with so many great people – you feel like family the second you walk through the door. Words can not describe the amount of love, talent, and passion that makes SEC what it is. Thank you for letting us capture your vision for this amazing event!” ( KS Studio – Ksenia Sachewsky)
Checkout Gianmichael’s Debut Sport Broadcast
Gianmichael debuts as host in his first official sports news cast for GM SPORTS .
This month’s interview includes his very own school’s coach. Under the guidance of our SEC videographer/director Joseph Smith, we are proud and excited to see Gianmichael grow in this field of expressive art!
SEC 2019 Annual Charity Gala
On behalf of myself and all the Board Members, I wish to thank everyone that helped to not only make our charity a success but bring this year’s theme “Focus on Joy” alive with all our Sara Elizabeth Centre family, friends and supporters.
Joy means different things to different people. For those who have journeyed with us for the past 12 years, I am sure that you would agree that JOY is the essence of what the Sara Elizabeth Centre is all about.
Joy is having something to hold onto and at SEC we help our participants hold onto their hopes and dreams. This is what our gala is all about. Coming together , celebrating the milestones and the novelty of what is to come with joy and excitement. I thank you all for your support, generosity and involvement. With your continued help our young people can shine their light and share their joy with everyone they meet.
Together lets look forward to the anticipating joy that comes in knowing that our efforts in raising awareness and funds will create more opportunities for our young people of all abilities to become responsible contributing members of our community. So , be joyful, for joy lets in the light, and where there is joy, lives will be touched for the better.
Dino Di Matteo,Chair of the Board
Click Here to watch Highlights of SEC 2019 Charity Gala Event
( KS Studio – Ksenia Sachewsky)
“JOY” – We proudly presented this video entitled “JOY” at our 12th annual “Night to Shine” Gala Feb. 23, 2019. It is our way of sharing and celebrating the message of ‘Joy’ we experience at SEC. Our young adults share a message from the heart while expressing what SEC is all about. A message of hope and love that can only be experienced when we can look beyond the physical and touch each others soul. Thank you again to all those who believe in making a difference in the lives of young people who are meant to celebrate life in a spirit of Joy!
SEC 2018 Annual Charity Gala
Some one once said that life lessons come from the journey and not the destination.
If I had to describe the journey SEC has been on the past 12 years I would have to borrow Michelle’s title of her beautiful painting entitled “The joyful journey, I didn’t make it on my own!” Many of you know that 20 years ago my husband and I gave birth to our 8th child Sara Elizabeth. Our journey with our daughter Sara had many hills and valley but in the end God gave us our mountain top experience. It was because of our journey with Sara, that we were able to start our charity, Blue Veil open our Centre, the Sara Elizabeth Centre, named in tribute to our daughter. It truly has been a joyful journey and we truly have not made it here tonight on our own.
So I would like to thank all those who have traveled with us throughout these 11 years….. What a truly joyful journey it has been and will continue to be! A special thank you to all those who joined us along the way who came to give us a place to stay and call home, to all the schools and organizations that connect with our participants, staff and volunteers to form an integrated and inclusive community where differences don’t matter, to those who refresh us with their creativity as artists and share their gifts in drama, dance or art with such guidance, patience and encouragement. To all our representatives in the City of Vaughan, the Honorable Mayor Belvilaqua, the MPP, Steven DelDuca MP, Frank Sorbara and Deb Shulte and Councilor Tony Carella who continues to support or mission year after year…..and to our many supporters private and corporate who continue to generously give from their hearts.
A heart felt thank you goes to the families who continue to bring our Shining Stars to SEC .
With out further ado I now invite you to watch highlights of our Charity Gala. Thank you Ksenia you truly captured the SEC vision! “Every one shines like a star!” Thank you also for going beyond the call of duty we are so pleased!!!
Click Here to watch Highlights of SEC 2018 Charity Gala Event
“From the moment SEC contacted us to shoot their annual gala, we knew this was something we wanted to be a part of! The people who are a part of this organization are absolutely one of kind – they are so loving, supportive, and energetic – you simply feel full of happiness when spending time with them. It was an honour to be a part of this annual event – thank you SEC!!” ( KS Studio – Ksenia Sachewsky)