Insurance Industry’s 30th Anniversary Gala Raises Record-Breaking $375,000 for Seriously Ill Children

A “Pearl Anniversary” themed Gala in Toronto breaks fundraising records as the insurance

community unites in support of Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada.

TORONTO, ON, MAY 30, 2024/insPRESS/ – On the evening of Saturday, May 11, 2024, at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, the insurance industry set a new fundraising milestone at the 30th Annual Starlight Insurance Gala, celebrating three decades of support for Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada. Hosted by television personality, Anwar Knight, the event raised an impressive $377,772 to fund Starlight Canada’s vital in-and-out of hospital programs for families with seriously ill children.

Attendees demonstrated their support by participating in bidding on more than 150 Silent Auction items and trying their luck in two raffles with fantastic grand prizes, generously donated by the Air Canada Foundation. While celebrating 30 years of giving back to Starlight Canada, guests were enchanted by a “Pearl Anniversary” theme, highlighting the insurance industry’s enduring dedication.

During the evening, nine-year-old Ava and her mother, Jillian, bravely shared Ava’s challenging journey living with cystic fibrosis and how Starlight Canada has been a pillar of support for them along the way. Touched by Ava’s story, guests rose to their feet to grant Wishes for children living with critical and chronic illnesses, resulting in a record-breaking 73 Wishes donated by industry attendees.

“Few events demonstrate such unwavering commitment to a cause for thirty years quite like this one,” said Starlight Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Bringolf, who graciously accepted the cheque presented by the Starlight Insurance Campaign Committee that evening. “This Gala celebrates the remarkable, long-standing support of insurance professionals, resulting in over $6 million donated to Starlight Canada over the past 30 years. In that time, thousands of hospitalized and seriously ill children have benefited directly due to this industry’s extraordinary generosity. We are immensely grateful to each and every sponsor, guest, donor, and committee member.”

Contributing to these record-breaking achievements were our dedicated President’s Club Sponsors: Aviva Canada, BFL CANADA, Blaney McMurtry LLP, CAA Insurance Company, CNA Canada, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Gallagher, HSB Canada, Intact Insurance, Larrek Investigations, Navacord, and Travelers Canada.

The Starlight Insurance Committee is already continuing their support of Starlight Canada by selling raffle tickets to win an all-inclusive trip to Royalton Saint Lucia, generously donated by Royalton Resorts. Tickets are available at starlightroyaltonraffle.org, with all proceeds helping raise even more funds for sick children across Canada.

About Starlight Insurance Campaign

In 1994, the Toronto Society of Fellows had a vision — to unite the insurance community with compassion and commitment to fulfill the dreams and wishes of seriously ill and hospitalized children. In our first 29 years, we have donated more than $5.8 million to Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada, fulfilled more than 1,520 wishes, placed 147 Fun Centers in pediatric wards across Canada, and brought thousands of smiles to the faces of seriously ill and hospitalized children. More information can be found at starlightinsurancecampaign.org.

For more information, photo requests, or interview accommodations, please contact:

Margaret Parent Starlight Insurance Campaign Committee Co-Chair p: 416.350.5443 | e: margaret.parent@nbfc.com