By Sally Warburton
It is the 75th anniversary in 2023! Celebrating 75 years of belonging! Celebrating Community Living’s core values of inclusion, choice and diversity.
Saturday, November 18th, 2023 was the biennial Community Living Fundraiser held at Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place. Every two years Community Living Toronto hosts Community Rocks, the organization’s signature fundraising event. It’s a party with a purpose, with proceeds going to support and provide services for people with an intellectual disability.
This year’s theme was the beach. Giant beach balls decorated the foyer including filling the staircase going to the second floor. Colourful sunglasses were offered to guests as they entered. Many guests, which included guests with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers, were dressed in theme with shorts, flowered shirts, sundresses – all ready for the warm and caring environment of Community Living. While entering the Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place, servers in red lifeguard t-shirts welcomed guests by serving tall cocktails on platters. Palm trees and surfboards decorated the venue. Food stations and bars were set up throughout. Hamburgers (veggie or meat), fries, a variety of salads, meat kabobs, jerk chicken, and rice and more…
The Beachmen – a Beach Boys tribute band entered holding a surfboard! They were an amazing band! Everyone was up dancing and singing along to their favourite Beach Boy songs. Having fun! Feeling loved! The Beachmen group was the perfect fit for Community Rocks!
Special guest Mayor Olivia Chow wearing an elegant Toronto CN Tower scarf (love to know where she got that!) arrived and spoke to guests and checked it out. Her support was really appreciated.
8pm was when the Dwayne Gretzky concert started in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Guests made their way to seats. Ben Mulroney was an enthusiastic and animated MC who welcomed everyone and the band Dwayne Gretzky.Dwayne Gretzky is a 10+ piece band bringing to life the best songs of all time. This very talented group of Toronto musicians lit up the audience with their charm, stage presence and musical talent. The audience danced and cheered to classic pop and rock, from Fleetwood Mac to Fatboy Slim. Everyone loved Dwayne Gretzky ! It was upbeat, fun and celebratory. The band was respectful of the audience and shook hands with fans near the stage. Awesome! The two-song encore was so appreciated! The charismatic MC Ben Mulroney closed the show.
After the Dwayne Gretzy band concert, guests returned to the very spacious main room for desserts, ice cream treats, filling bags at the candy bar, Portuguese custard tarts, donuts, drinks and coffee – a generous selection of sweets for every taste! The After Party included a great dance party with DJ Lynz and DJ Raptor Marc. The 50/50 draw took place and a happy winner was found!
A wonderful evening to celebrate 75 Years of belonging. 75 years of Community Living Toronto. The organizers did an amazing job! Everyone had a great time! A perfect night at the beach! We look forward to Community Rocks 2025!
To learn more about Community Living or to make a donation
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