The Geneva Centre for Autism turned its annual Autists Gala fund-raiser on Thursday from a live art auction benefit to a lively event filled with casino games, entertainment, and food trucks at Corus Entertainment.
"We wanted to change the event," said Kevin MacKenzie, senior communications and marketing officer at the centre. "It only appealed to a certain demographic. We wanted to open that up." Organizers designed the philanthropic affair to appeal to the gala's past supporters, a new, younger crowd, and to the Geneva Centre's own clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. And although the first art auction had been a success, featuring a piece from artist Peter Doig, last year’s auction lacked a headline-grabbing artwork. “Last year was a bit of a disappointment,” said Paul Fenn, an independent advertising copywriter who teamed up with the centre to create the Autists fund-raiser in 2009.
Ready for a change, the organizing committee started brainstorming new event concepts about eight months ago. "We asked ourselves, what do we love? What's hot right now?" MacKenzie said. Some of the committee's younger volunteers voiced the recent popularity of the Toronto Underground Market at the Evergreen Brick Works, a monthly social market devoted to street food and food trucks. Tapping into these suggestions, the gala secured two popular trucks—El Gastrónomo Vagabundo and Gourmet B1tches—to cater the gathering. An ice cream truck served up vodka slushies and soft-serve. Entertainment was a second focus this year and offered something for everyone, with aerialists from Zero Gravity Circus, violinist Dr. Draw, fire performers, casino games, and, in homage to the gala's roots, an art auction.
While the event went smoothly, challenges did arise during the planning stages. "Some of [the event committee members] were very married to that concept of the live art auction," MacKenzie said, adding that once they got used to the idea, they became the event's biggest supporters.
Relocating to the Corus Building this year, with its slide, living wall, and lakeside view, provided a more lighthearted tone. "It moves us into a fun environment," MacKenzie said. Guests made donations to go down the slide and also mingled outside on the patio.
Although the final amount is still being tabulated, with generosity from the event’s sponsors and vendors, the benefit had already covered its expenses when the doors opened. Funds will go toward the Geneva Centre’s new vocational programs that include Café 164, a restaurant where adults with autism can gain job experience and support. “We’re so stoked at what happened,” Fenn said about the evening. “Next year, it is going to be the best party in Toronto.”
