Hospital supporters to get colourful at Grand Empire

March 18, 2014 BRAMPTON – Special guests, musicians, comedians and dancers will help William Osler Health System (Osler) Foundation bring an exciting new event, Holi Gala – The Festival of Colours to Brampton this month.

Tickets are on sale now for this unique benefit, which takes place on Friday, March 28 at the Grand Empire Banquet and Convention Centre at 100 Nexus Avenue in Brampton. Proceeds from the event will support Osler’s three hospitals: Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital and the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.

Dating back to the seventh century, Holi festivals celebrate the colourful arrival of spring. This gala will feature special guests and honourary co-chairs, wrestling legends, Tiger Jeet Singh and his son, Tiger Ali Singh, known locally as “The Tigers.” Guests will also enjoy a non-stop line-up of entertainment with Britain’s award-winning music sensation Sukshinder Shinda, MC Rena Heer from CP24, comedian Jus Reign, international illusionist and magician Raman Sharma, Canada’s Got Talent finalists Broken Dance, and dancing to a DJ. Gourmet food and an exciting silent auction will round out the evening’s activities.

Osler Foundation President & CEO Ken Mayhew credits a committed and enthusiastic fundraising committee for the idea to creating this new fundraising event.

”We are excited to be the first Ontario hospital foundation to celebrate Holi,” Mayhew says. “Holi Gala promises to be an exciting, high-energy event that celebrates the sights, sounds and tastes of the Festival of Colours while supporting Osler’s three hospitals.”

“We are beyond thrilled & honoured to have Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Ali Singh as our special guests and honourary co-chairs for William Osler Health System Foundation’s first-ever Holi Gala!”, says Osler Foundation Director, Community Giving Colette Thomson. “Osler Foundation appreciates the ongoing support provided by the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation – we are so fortunate to have such great friends in the Tigers whose support of Osler’s three hospitals makes a lasting difference to the 1.3 million people who look to Osler for health care. We look forward to celebrating & marking history with the Tigers and community on March 28.”

“If you have something else planned, cancel it,” says Tiger Ali Singh, wrestling superstar. “Nothing is more important than supporting Osler’s three hospitals on March 28.”

Holi Gala has already attracted generous support from ATN Media, the Punjabi Press Club of Canada, TD Canada Trust, RBC, CIBC, Grand Empire Banquet and Convention Centre, National Bank, BMO, and Scotiabank. Corporate and community sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how to book tickets by visiting www.oslerfoundation.org or by calling Osler Foundation at (905) 494-6556.

ABOUT WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM: William Osler Health System is a hospital system ‘Accredited with Exemplary Standing’ that serves 1.3 million residents of Brampton, Etobicoke, and surrounding communities within the Central West Local Health Integration Network. Osler’s emergency departments are among the busiest in Ontario and its labour and delivery program is one of the largest in Canada. William Osler Health System Foundation builds and fosters relationships in order to raise funds to support William Osler Health System’s capital, education and research priorities at Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital and Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health & Wellness (targeted for completion in 2015-16).

ABOUT OSLER FOUNDATION’S HOLI GALA – THE FESTIVAL OF COLOURS: As part of Osler Foundation’s Signature event line-up, Holi Gala will serve to help build relationships in the community and raise funds for William Osler Health System. This year will mark the inauguration of the event which celebrates the tradition of Holi and festivities that date back to 7th century India. The event aims to raise thousands of dollars for redevelopment at Osler’s Etobicoke General and the new Peel Memorial for Integrated Health and Wellness and new diagnostic equipment at Brampton Civic. Details are online at www.oslerfoundation.org.