Media Advisory - City's oldest charity honours Community Developer at
sold-out Ball

TORONTO, April 19 /CNW/ - The St. George's Society of Toronto - the city's oldest charity - concludes its 175th Anniversary year by honouring community developer Mitchell Cohen with its prestigious Award of Merit for outstanding contributions to the community at the Society's annual Red Rose Ball on April 22, 2010.

Proceeds from the Ball will support Habitat for Humanity Toronto, the charity chosen by Mr. Cohen, and the many charities funded by St. George's. For almost four decades, Mitchell Cohen has been passionately committed to ensuring Canadians have a secure, affordable place to call home. "Though I am incredibly grateful for this award, I am reminded of the need for more safe and affordable homes in our city. I am inspired by Habitat Toronto's work and the people and organizations I have had the privilege to work with in the attempt to eliminate that need," says Mr. Cohen. It was over eight years ago when Daniels' partnership with Habitat for Humanity Toronto began. During this time, The Daniels Corporation donated land for construction of ten Habitat for Humanity Toronto homes in Etobicoke and broke history as the single largest gift of land by a private company to a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Canada. The partnership continued to reach new heights on projects such as Habitat Toronto's first ever High-Rise Condominium project and with the Sisters of St. Joseph in building 60 affordable homes in Scarborough.

Under Mr. Cohen's leadership as President of The Daniels Corporation, the company has emerged as one of Canada's pre-eminent builder-developers with a reputation for quality and integrity. It has been honoured with numerous industry awards and has developed a trusted brand with residential offerings for people at all stages of life. "As a result of Daniels' efforts, thousands of people are living in affordable Daniels' communities," says Habitat for Humanity Toronto's CEO Neil Hetherington. "An entire industry has become aware that business and social responsibility can go hand in hand successfully."

Habitat for Humanity Toronto mobilizes volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty housing. One hundred percent of the Red Rose Ball's donations to Habitat Toronto will go directly to building more safe, decent and affordable homes for families living in need.

The Red Rose Ball has honoured such philanthropists as former Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick Margaret Norrie McCain, entrepreneur Seymour Schulich and most recently Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan. Since becoming a fundraiser in 1996, the Ball has generated millions of dollars for dozens of charities.

    
    What:  The St. George's Society of Toronto's Red Rose Ball

    Who:   -  Mitchell Cohen, President, The Daniels Corporation
           -  Neil Hetherington, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Toronto
           -  Yvonne Jerred, President, The St. George's Society of Toronto

    Where: Four Seasons Hotel, 21 Avenue Road, Toronto

    When:  Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
           6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

    Photo and Interview opportunities:
    ----------------------------------
    -   Neil Hetherington and Yvonne Jerred available for live camera, print
        and radio interviews upon request at event.
    -   Event guests available for media photos.
    

About The Daniels Corporation:

Founded in 1982, The Daniels Corporation is one of Canada's leading and most diversified residential builders and developers. Daniels has built more than 18,000 homes and apartments in award-winning communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This includes building thousands of rental homes under several government programs, and creating innovative ways to address the GTA's affordable housing shortage. Placing people and community first, Daniels' corporate philosophy also embraces financial and hands-on generosity toward numerous charities and non-profit organizations that provide food and shelter to those in need through front-line assistance programs. Daniels has been a major corporate sponsor of Habitat for Humanity for over eight years. Habitat also benefits from Daniels' "Give a Gift, Get a Song" (www.GiveaGiftGetaSong.com) website, which invites visitors to donate to partnering community organizations and receive the gift of music in return. www.danielshomes.ca

About Habitat for Humanity Toronto:

Established in 1988, Habitat for Humanity Toronto is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian housing organization. We welcome all people without discrimination to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with low-income families. One hundred percent of all administrative and fundraising costs are paid for by the operation of three ReStores. Habitat Toronto ReStores sell quality new and gently-used donated building materials. Every 10 minutes, Habitat for Humanity helps a family improve their housing situation in more than 100 countries around the world.

About The St. George's Society of Toronto:

Named for the patron saint of England, The St. George's Society of Toronto (www.stgeorges.to) was founded in 1834 to provide immigrants with food, doctors and even a burial plot which the Society still maintains today. St. George's honours its distinguished role as Toronto's oldest charity by continuing to support causes that matter most, when they matter most. With three $1-million endowments and gifts plus annual donations to over 30 organizations, the Society funds hospitals and AIDS organizations, assists street kids and veterans, gives youth the chance to attend university and helps the cultural life of Toronto thrive. Its St. George's Day Dinner - the precursor to the Red Rose Ball - has also kept pace with the times. The events addressed by the Prime Minister and even broadcast on CBC have evolved into an important fundraiser. The Society's members have included the city's rich and powerful, and today St. George's brings together men and women of all cultures with an interest in things British for good fun, good fellowship and good works - a tradition that has helped Toronto become the enviable place it is.

For further information: Neil Hetherington, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Toronto, office: [phone] ext 223, cell: [phone], [email protected], www.torontohabitat.ca; Joanna M. Dwyer, Marketing & Communications Associate, Habitat for Humanity Toronto, office: [phone], ext. 228, [email protected]; David Eisenstadt, The Daniels Corporation, [phone] ext. 36, [email protected] Or, Beth Merrick, [phone] ext. 40, [email protected]; Stephen Johnson, Executive Director, The St. George's Society of Toronto, [phone], [email protected]