Jazz for the Kids

What a great evening - great band, lots of delicious food (they were very accommodating for this vegetarian) and inspiring cause - the Peel Children's Aid Foundation.

Here are Kieran Overs and Joey Goldstein entertaining the arriving patrons - there was a wine tasting and numerous appetizers including curry puffs and spring rolls...plus a chance to bid on many items during the silent auction - including guitars!

Mike Bullard provided lots of laughs as auctioneer during the live auction portion later in the evening.

Thanks to Ken Choi and Lawrence Lo of Summit Garden who have hosted the fundraiser for 12 years and for all the hardworking staff of the restaurant. Dan is the event organizer for the event which vetts a different charity each year.

Some facts about Peel Children's Aid which I was surprised about - they served 5, 862 families last year and responded to over 11,000 calls, cared for 732 children in foster homes and have over 300 volunteers. I didn't know for example that because of the International Airport children are sometimes either abandoned after being used as drug mules or sent to Canada on their own by desperate parents who know Canada is a caring and generous nation.

I was verklempt at the stories of the 4 children who spoke last night - Paul Chapman, Matthew and Derrick Porter (yes brothers) and Baylee Young - they were chosen along with Shantee Plummer to be part of the Olympic Torch Relay. This fine organization helps give children nourishment of all kinds - food, toys, summers camps and sports, bursaries for education or to learn a trade.

http://www.peelkidsfoundation.com/ or 905 363 6131 ext 1155.

As Police Chief MIke Metcalf quoted via Frederick Douglass "It is easier to create strong children than fix a broken man".

Here is Kira Callahan singing with the band - which included Nancy Walker on piano, Pat LaBarbera on sax and Russ Little on trombone.

There were some serious jazz fans in the audience judging by the requests and accompanying donations for requests.....

Great company at the table including Kelly, Dan's gorgeous wife and his charming in laws.Pat and Russ - always fun to hear and chat with the very suave Russ Little.

Today is registering for the community garden plot at Garrison Creek and later the fab Ori Dagan's tribute to Ella at Ten Feet Tall at 8.