Media Advisory - Grammy & Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson takes the stage at Toronto's inaugural Bliss Ball Gala

World-renowned Dream Girl rings in the first annual Bliss Ball Gala for SickKids on September 29 at Fort York 

TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Multi-hyphenate sensation, Jennifer Hudson, brings her heart and soul to Toronto on September 29^th to sing for a cause - and a Canadian one, at that. The Academy and Grammy award-winner, best-selling author and designer joins The Dilawri Foundation for the inaugural Bliss Ball Gala in support of the Patient Amenities Fund at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

To mark the Dilawri's 10^th anniversary in philanthropy, Bliss Ball is making a splash on the Toronto social scene with a star-studded list of celebrity performers in a first-of-its-kind venue.

Featured Bliss Ball Guests:

• Academy and Grammy award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson
• Canadian YouTube child sensation Maria Aragon
• The Bush Sisters: Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Hager Bush
• Honorary Co-Chair, Shinan Govani, Social Columnist for The National Post
• Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Rosie MacLellan

Surprise Celebrity Guests:

• Hollywood auctioneer
• Performance by an iconic Canadian musician

A true evening of firsts, the gala will take place in a never-before-seen tent that will be erected on the historic Fort York grounds. The tent - dubbed an "Innovation Dome" - will be its own source of entertainment with 3D projection mapping on the roof that will enclose 500 guests in a 360-degree magical experience.

Such a spectacular setting could only be graced by the finest of food and drink with a custom-crafted three-course meal courtesy of Canadian Chef Mark McEwan and wine by the ultra-premium Le Clos Jordanne.

The Cause
The Dilawri Foundation will be making a donation of its own for $7 million to SickKids, and it has two goals in mind: to protect the health and well-being of children locally and globally, and to alleviate financial burdens to families with sick children.

"We believe children's health plays an essential role in the community, and that an investment in health care is an investment in the future," said Kap Dilawri, Co-Founder of Dilawri Group.

• 5 million dollars will be donated directly by The Dilawri Foundation to the 'Patients, Populations and Policy' neighbourhood at the new SickKids Centre for Research and Learning.
• 2 million dollars from Bliss Ball proceeds will establish an endowment for the 'Patient Amenities Fund.'

"On behalf of everyone at SickKids, we are sincerely grateful for the generosity of the Dilawri Foundation and attendees of the inaugural Bliss Ball," said Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation. "Proceeds from this spectacular event will support the new Dilawri Foundation Patient Amenities Fund, a source of financial assistance for families with limited resources whose children are being cared for at SickKids." 

Guests are invited to help support The Hospital for Sick Children at a live auction led by a surprise Hollywood auctioneer.

For more information and ticket inquiries:
www.blissball.ca / www.twitter.com/dilawrifndation

About Dilawri Group of Companies
The Dilawri Group of Companies has now expanded to over 40 dealerships representing 28 brands across Canada. As Canada's largest automotive group, the company recognizes the need to be a leader in the automotive industry and also a leader in the communities it serves. Through meaningful and targeted philanthropy, the Dilawri Group is committed to giving back to the communities through The Dilawri Foundation. 

About SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids -- one of the world's foremost pediatric health-care institutions. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $61.3 million in children's health, a direct result of community and corporate support. For more information, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com. 

SOURCE: The Dilawri Foundation

please contact:
Ashley Bartlett
Narrative PR
Office: 416.644.4124
Mobile: [phone]
[email protected]