For the 25th anniversary of the Teddy Bear Affair, the Childrenโs Aid Foundation tried something new with a conceptual Canadian theme: "With Glowing Hearts." โWe wanted to go in a different direction and create more moods and feelings this year,โ said Meg Sethi, manager of events at the Childrenโs Aid Foundation. About 1,100 guests attended the gala on Saturday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Sethi decided to focus on the seasons as a representation of Canada. โIt was really important for it to not be so literal. We didnโt want it to look like Canada Day,โ Sethi said. Using sound effects and lighting, Sethi created what she called โa multisensory experienceโ of each season. For spring, clear umbrellas and beads hung from the ceiling and the sound of falling rain played in the background. The Childrenโs Aid team created a fake lake with projections on a screen and the floor for summer. Auburn colours and Ontario harvest vegetables decorated the fall area. While each season in the cocktail reception was distinct, they were all held in one open space.
The draped-off dining room represented winter and blue lighting gave the space an icy feel. โDesigning and creating the perfect centrepiece to represent Canadian winter, while keeping it elegant and avoiding the 'winter wonderland' concept, was a challenge,โ said Sarah Downing, director of event logistics at Decor & More. The centrepieces incorporated white hydrangeas and roses, silver spheres, dogwood, and red berries. A tower of 1,000 white teddy bears lined the back of the room, which guests could purchase for a chance to win $35,000 worth of Tiffany jewelry.
The gala ended around 1 a.m. after a performance from Juno winner Johnny Reid. The event raised $1.5 million for the Childrenโs Aid Foundation.
Photo: Nick Turchiaro
Photo: BizBash
Photo: Nick Turchiaro
Photo: Nick Turchiaro
Photo: Nick Turchiaro
Photo: BizBash
Photo: Nick Turchiaro
Photo: Nick Turchiaro
Photo: Nick Turchiaro
Photo: Nick Turchiaro
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: Nick Turchiaro