East Coast Charity in the Big Smoke

By Ashley Shantz

The East Coast Charity Ball will host its 9th annual event for 500 people on March 30th at the Berkeley Church in Toronto. For the past eight years, the event has benefited Daytrippers Children’s Charity, a Canadian organization that helps send kids living in lower-income areas on educational and cultural field trips. We chatted with Simon Partington, the committee Chair for the 2012 East Coast Charity Ball, to learn more about what East Coasters are bringing to Toronto:

Describe what the East Coast Charity Ball is all about:

It’s about East Coasters from Atlantic Canada coming together in Toronto for a night of drinking, reunions and good music, all in the name of a good cause: funding educational and cultural trips for school groups in lower-income areas. So far Daytrippers has sent more than 90,000 students on unique educational trips.

Why did you become involved?

When I first moved into the city it was a great way to meet people and I liked the idea of raising money in Toronto to help fund charities.

Do you raise funds for other charities too?

In the past we have solely focused on Daytrippers, a charity close to Andy Chabassol, Founder of the East Coast Charity Ball. We’re thrilled that Daytrippers has now grown to host a few independent fundraising events and is now able to fund its programs on its own for the most part.

This year, we’re looking to broaden our reach and help a few different charities on the East Coast - we’re excited to make our charity selections in the New Year.

 

Give us a little more insight into what “East Coast Style” is?

Picture a very large house party, or kitchen party if you will. It’s a classy, dress-up affair but with attitudes and egos left at the door. Everyone is there for a good time - to catch up with old friends or meet new ones. East Coasters tend to find fellow East Coasters. My best advice for finding out what “East Coast Style” is? Join us! Come to the party to see for yourself!

How does the event raise money?

We host a silent auction at the event and a dinner beforehand, which gives us the opportunity to have speakers talk about the benefiting charity(ies). Tables cost is $1,500. Post-dinner event tickets are $50. Finally, just like any good old-fashioned East Coast party, the bar brings in lots of money.