Thanks to our supporters, the 2008 Surrogate Santa program surpassed our goals with an outstanding $303,000 raised which helped over 3,500 families.  We would like to extend a warm thank you to 97.3 EZ Rock, their listeners and all of the supporters of this program for their continued participation and for helping make this initiative a great success.  We couldn’t have done it with out you!

The 2008 J.J. Bear was more lovable than ever before! Over $70,000 was raised through the first ever Ontario-wide campaign which couldn’t have been done without the help of our dedicated volunteers.

J.J. Bear was thrilled to have RONA and their RONA Foundation come on board for their first year as the primary retail sponsor. Evanov Radio Group provided continuing support through their Z103.5, Jewel 88.5, 107.7 and Jewel 98.5 stations with two months of on-air promotion.  Blade Creative provided a new look for our friend that brought J.J. Bear to new heights.

On behalf of the children and youth who benefited from this wonderful program, thank you for making 2008 a resounding success!

As a new twist on the Christmas tree, the Foundation collected warm wishes and kind thoughts from donors which were then hung on the “Hope Tree.”  The tree was displayed at the Holiday Season Celebration for everyone to enjoy.

 

 

The Holiday Season Celebration, presented by Pepsi-QTG Canada, is a fun-filled day of holiday cheer for children and youth in care of the Children’s Aid Society. The holidays can be especially difficult for families in need and this event is often the only holiday celebration the children get to participate in each year.

On Sunday, December 21, 2008, we celebrated the holiday season with over 1,000 children and their foster families at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.  Activities included: a movie screening; magic show by Sam Pearce, teenage magician; dance party; pizza lunch sponsored by Pizza Hut; and RONA Little Hammers workshop where children made wooden reindeer.  One of the most popular activities was the autograph station where Toronto FC player Rohan Ricketts, 2007 Grey Cup winner Wayne Smith and host of CBC’s The Hour, George Stroumboulopoulos, interacted with the children and signed pictures, paper and even reindeers! Santa and Mrs. Claus also made an appearance and took pictures with the children for them to take home in snowman and reindeer frames.

Additional Sponsors:
P&G
State Street
Mattel
Egg Farmers Ontario
Dottori-Attansio Family
Terry Walsh