Legendary musician Randy Bachman, Champion Figure Skater Patrick Chan, Fashion Magazine's Bernadette Morra, actress Lisa Ray, and singer Jackie Richardson to be honoured at the Children's Aid Foundation's SPARK Gala on May 6th

TORONTO, March 6, 2012 /CNW/ - On Sunday, May 6th, the Children's Aid Foundation will host the SPARK Gala, an inspirational fundraising event to support disadvantaged children and youth. Mark Daniels and Andrea Weissman-Daniels founded the Ignite the Spark Fund and created the inaugural SPARK Gala last year, inspired by their own experience with their adopted daughter.  Proceeds from the event will benefit youth in child welfare with opportunities to explore their interests and change their lives. Sports, arts and cultural programs are crucial to their personal growth and development, but are a rare experience for most.

This year's theme, "Rhythm & Soul", dramatizes the transformative power of music in the life of a child.  More than 400 guests, including teenagers, will gather to celebrate at The Carlu in Toronto (444 Yonge Street, 7^th Floor). They will hear from five "Luminaries", who will pay tribute to individuals who first ignited their inner spark: legendary guitarist, songwriter, performer and producer Randy Bachman (Music Luminary); World Figure Skating Champion Patrick Chan (Sports Luminary); FASHION Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Bernadette Morra (Fashion Luminary); actress and Top Chef Canada host Lisa Ray (Entertainer Luminary); and acclaimed gospel, jazz and blues singer Jackie Richardson (Vocal Arts Luminary).

Hosted by Leslie Roberts and Anne Mroczkowski, co-anchors of the News Hour at 5:30 on Global Toronto, the event begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by an elegant brunch created by celebrity chef Mark McEwen. At 2:00 p.m. the tribute honouring SPARK luminaries begins, highlighting their remarkable success stories through video, song, dance and fashion runway segments.  With musical direction by Joe Sealy, the production includes performances by Sistema Toronto and Sanskriti Arts, among others.

Tickets to the 2012 Spark Gala are $250; tables and corporate packages are also available.  For tickets or more information call David Grieco at 416-923-0924, ext. 275 or visit www.ignitethespark.ca.

Gala Sponsors:  Presenting Sponsors: TELUS and BMO Financial Group.

2012 SPARK Committee:
Under the dedicated and enthusiastic leadership of Andrea Weissman-Daniels and Mark Daniels, the 2012 SPARK Committee includes: Karen Cole, Marc Garand, Erin Goldberg, Shauna Keen Daniels, Dr. Lisa Kellet, Toby Kruh, Heather Levy, Tu Ly, Catherine McDonald, Suzie Mukherjee, Jackie Poplack, Moe Razi, Jan Sampson, Bonnie Shore, Robin Singer-Turack, and Aviva Zukerman Schure.

About the Children's Aid Foundation
One in every 25 children in Canada are at risk and need our help. Many suffer in poverty, while others have been victims of abuse and neglect. A staggering 76,000 of them live in foster homes or a residential facility. The mission of the Children's Aid Foundation is to fund programs that give them skills and hope for a promising future.

Media contact:
Karen Lorenowicz, KL Strategic Communications, 416-347-9661, [email protected]