In its 22 years, the Teddy Bear Affair has raised more than $18 million for the Children’s Aid Foundation. Although it isn’t a challenge to attract guests—since there is often a waiting list of people who want to attend—the challenge is to maintain and exceed the level of creativity that the loyal supporters have come to expect, said event committee chair Frances McCart.
“It’s a class-A event and every year is different from the year before,” McCart said. When the committee decided on the "Beyond Bollywood" theme for the 2008 event, they focused on Indian details that would help transform the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for their 1,000 guests. “Any organization needs to be at the top of its game when planning a fund-raiser these days,” said the foundation's executive director, Ann Barnard Ball. “It’s the eye to detail that sets you apart from everyone else."
The foundation turned to Decor & More to translate the theme. The company draped colourful fabrics to create a tent effect outside the dining hall where traditional Indian musicians strummed on sitars, tarot card readers told fortunes, and henna artists applied temporary tattoos. At the entrance to the auction room, 12 themed teddy bears stood on display. The bears dressed as a cricket player, a snake charmer and in traditional saris were featured in a fund-raising calendar and were auctioned off. (In past years, bears have garnered as much as $1,000 each.)
Inside the auction room, the theme continued with signature chai-tinis from the bar, which sat under a tent surrounded by greenery and jewel-toned fabrics. In the dining hall, fuchsia, blue, and purple linens topped tables, and bangles served as napkin holders. Centrepieces included flowers and a miniature peacock—India’s national bird—surrounding illuminated jeweled balls.
A tower of 1,000 Tiffany teddy bears stood near the stage. Guests could purchase a bear—and the chance to win one of three pieces of Tiffany jewelry—for $50.
