| Internet copy, if there are errors, please e-mail me with corrections: Opening comments: More at the end. "Harold Shipp, honourary chairman of the Gala, has personally known Mayor McCallion since 1958", Shipp sold the McCallions' land. Mississauga Business Times - Nov 24, 2005 - By Clare O'Hara Fundraising played part in Order of Canada [ has picutre with this caption - Mayor McCallion, Catharine Shipp Wells and father, Harold Shipp at this year's Gala. ] The 19th Annual Mayor's Gala was another must-attend event this year, with the added bonus that Mayor Hazel McCallion spent the day before receiving the Order of Canada. Indeed, there was much to celebrate. The Gala, an event designed to raise money for the arts, was held at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre and approximately 1100 guests attended. Harold Shipp, honourary chairman of the Gala, has personally known Mayor McCallion since 1958. Shipp had the honour of escorting the Mayor into the event with the piper. He provided an introduction as well as a surprise short film featuring the Mayor herself. "I am so proud to have been asked to be a part of this event," said Shipp, also the chairman and CEO of Shipp Corporation. "Working alongside the Mayor and knowing her personally for so many years makes me admire her for all her work in the community." Shipp was the co-honourary chairman, along with the Mayor, for the Trillium Health Centre 30 Million Campaign. Shipp was also present when the Mayor was invested as a Dame in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta on May 12, 2005. "That was back before she even knew she was being awarded the Order of Canada," said Shipp. "That makes two great records for her this year. If you don't think she's on the go, she is!" Tickets to the event cost $400 and it was another sell-out. A special performance by Kenny Rogers, three time Grammy award winner, in Hammerson Hall, was the highlight of this year's event. Rogers is well known for his song "The Gambler". In past years the Gala performances have included Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart and Paul Anka. MC for the evening was Michael Cloutier, president and CEO of AstraZeneca Canada, headquartered in Mississauga. "I've known Mayor McCallion for many years and sit on several committees with her," said Cloutier. "I'm very proud to support the Mayor and believe she has been a tremendous ambassador for Mississauga, creating a very robust business climate for innovative companies like AstraZeneca Canada." AstraZeneca is a leading health care company in Mississauga and has made a number of significant investments in the local community. Recently, the company announced $250,000 in support of the AstraZeneca Research Liaison Library, part of the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre at the University of Toronto at Mississauga. "I was honoured and humbled by the opportunity to have a role in this special evening for her," said Cloutier. At the gala, AstraZeneca announced another $500,000 to the McCallion Centre at UTM. Another one of the Mayor's biggest fundraisers here in Mississauga is the Mayor Hazel McCallion's annual charity golf tournament. 2005 marked the 23rd year for the event, which was held at the City-owned BraeBen golf course. The event raised over $90,000 for the Mayor's charity fund, which consists of various children's organizations. "It was the most successful 18 hole golf tournament for any Mayor in Canada," said Ron Lenyk, chairman for the Mayor's Charity Golf Committee, and publisher of the Mississauga Business Times. "Hazel gives the proceeds to children charities and there are always a number of golfers ready to sign up for those causes." For over 20 years the tournament took place at Derrydale Golf club. This year was the first time it moved over to the new course located at Matheson and Terry Fox Way. A dinner with 200 guests was also part of the festivities. The tournament was oversold this year with 188 golfers attending, including the Mayor herself. "Mayor McCallion golfs every year," said Lenyk. "She was out on the green switching foursomes so she can get involved as much as possible." The Charity Committee runs the tournament independent of the City. The board meets to decide what charities will be included and McCallion has recommended them as well. For 21 years John Rogers ran the committee as chairman before Lenyk took on the task. "Mayor McCallion is very involved with the Charity Fund and the tournament," said Lenyk. "Her recent award, The Order of Canada, mentioned the tournament as one of her achievements. It was definitely one of the reasons she got the award in my opinion." [COMMENTS BY DON B. - ] |
Your Financial Donations are Greatly Appreciated The • |
