Ottawa Gala Dinner 2013
After the incredible first National We Day at the Robert Guertin Arena on Monday, April 29, the day was topped off by a memorable gala dinner in support of Project Jenga and Free The Children.
The Ottawa Westin was beautifully decorated by Michelle VandenBosch and was the perfect setting for the first annual Project Jenga gala dinner. The evening of over 300 guests, was emceed by Free The Children co-founders Marc and Craig Kielburger who spoke about the outstanding work of Free The Children around the world and here at home. Guests listened to Project Jenga founder Mitch Kurylowicz speak about his passion for equal, quality education in Kenya and his desire to build an all boys boarding school. This boys school would equal the high standards of education granted to the two all girls board schools in the same rural areas in the Massai Mara region in Kenya.
Motivation speaker Spencer West inspired guests with his tales of summitting Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa and most recently walking 300km from Edmonton to Calgary all to raise awareness for the need of clean water projects in Africa. Spencer is an incredible individual who has never let being a double leg amputee stop him from living life to the absolute fullest.
Olympic Gold Medalist Jennifer Botterill shared her experiences on the world hockey stage. She is stressed the importance of working as a team and assisting one another in making the world a better place, on and off the ice!
MuchMusic Covers Contest 2012 winner Tyler Shaw entertained guests by performing his latest release - "By My Side" - for the first time. It was a wonderful surprise to have Tyler be a part of the evening and to have him support education in Kenya and Project Jenga.
Academy Award winning actor Martin Sheen treated all who attended to his wise words and experiences as an actor and activist. As a supporter of Free The Children for several years, Mr Sheen is active and engaged in the well being of children and their communities around the world.
"While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive"
Other honoured guests that attended the dinner included:
Jesse Giddings, Molly Burke, Neverest, Karl Wolf, My Name is Kay,
film maker Rob Stewart, and Danny Fernandes
Project Jenga is so thankful for the generous contributions of the evenings sponsors.
Paterson Group, North Star Emergency Services, KPMG, Adelphia Flooring, Gentry Capital,
Taggart Group of Companies, Donnelly Automotive Group, Tony Graham Lexus, ACART,
The Mitel Family, Oriana Financials, ITNet,
Say Something Communications, The Westin, Huff Estate Winery, Michelle VandenBosch Flowers,
Horton Photography, Vito Amati Photography
RBC and Telus
Project Jenga is already looking forward to building on the successes of year one in Ottawa and is currently
finalizing dates for next year.
Thank you ~ Asante Sana
The Ottawa Westin was beautifully decorated by Michelle VandenBosch and was the perfect setting for the first annual Project Jenga gala dinner. The evening of over 300 guests, was emceed by Free The Children co-founders Marc and Craig Kielburger who spoke about the outstanding work of Free The Children around the world and here at home. Guests listened to Project Jenga founder Mitch Kurylowicz speak about his passion for equal, quality education in Kenya and his desire to build an all boys boarding school. This boys school would equal the high standards of education granted to the two all girls board schools in the same rural areas in the Massai Mara region in Kenya.
Motivation speaker Spencer West inspired guests with his tales of summitting Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa and most recently walking 300km from Edmonton to Calgary all to raise awareness for the need of clean water projects in Africa. Spencer is an incredible individual who has never let being a double leg amputee stop him from living life to the absolute fullest.
Olympic Gold Medalist Jennifer Botterill shared her experiences on the world hockey stage. She is stressed the importance of working as a team and assisting one another in making the world a better place, on and off the ice!
MuchMusic Covers Contest 2012 winner Tyler Shaw entertained guests by performing his latest release - "By My Side" - for the first time. It was a wonderful surprise to have Tyler be a part of the evening and to have him support education in Kenya and Project Jenga.
Academy Award winning actor Martin Sheen treated all who attended to his wise words and experiences as an actor and activist. As a supporter of Free The Children for several years, Mr Sheen is active and engaged in the well being of children and their communities around the world.
"While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive"
Other honoured guests that attended the dinner included:
Jesse Giddings, Molly Burke, Neverest, Karl Wolf, My Name is Kay,
film maker Rob Stewart, and Danny Fernandes
Project Jenga is so thankful for the generous contributions of the evenings sponsors.
Paterson Group, North Star Emergency Services, KPMG, Adelphia Flooring, Gentry Capital,
Taggart Group of Companies, Donnelly Automotive Group, Tony Graham Lexus, ACART,
The Mitel Family, Oriana Financials, ITNet,
Say Something Communications, The Westin, Huff Estate Winery, Michelle VandenBosch Flowers,
Horton Photography, Vito Amati Photography
RBC and Telus
Project Jenga is already looking forward to building on the successes of year one in Ottawa and is currently
finalizing dates for next year.
Thank you ~ Asante Sana