[ OUR CITY ]
As Vaughan undergoes its transformation from a suburban municipality into a world-class city, economic growth and infrastructure development are not the only changes evident. Through The Spirit of
Generosity Vaughan has become a city with purpose. With the goal to ensure prosperity for all its citizens it
is meeting the needs of tens of thousands, many who can now breathe easier and rely on essential services.
All-encompassing, The Spirit of Generosity assists youth, seniors, those with special needs,
women's centres, special education and health institutions. In addition to art initiatives, cultural groups and sports teams it goes one step further lending its support beyond the borders
of Vaughan and into the Greater Toronto Area - even as far as Tanzania where funds were
donated for the building of a school. “I've broken away from the past traditions of giving
money to a single organization and implemented a program and an attitude that aims to
bring as many people into the fold as possible,” explains the Mayor who also says the great
advantage of his inclusive and active style of public service is that he is able to understand his community exceptionally well and recognize organizations that are most in need.
While he personally assesses all potential beneficiaries, Vaughan Council is consulted and
in the spirit of transparency and accountability, also receive a full report every six months.
This careful consideration is a continuous process and active residents are fully engaged in
identifying those in need making it quintessentially a united effort. Lastly, none is possible
without contributions made by local businesses and individuals - the generous donors
who make up the very backbone of the Spirit of Generosity.
One of the many to benefit is the Shining Through Centre for Children with Autism
and like all charities it was created to meet unfulfilled needs. Spearheaded by local resig raising
Pride Day fla
dents with its first location opening its doors in Woodbridge in 2001, the centre is now
event at City Hall
a recognized leader in its field boasting a team of highly trained professionals utilizing cutting-edge therapy crucial to development and promoting a child's independence.
“This has made a significant impact on our success and has helped us to subsidize families having difficulty
paying the substantial fees required to improve their children's quality of life,” says Shining Though President and co-founder, Fred Santini of the funds donated by The Spirit of Generosity which, since 2012, total
$50,000. “We've also been able to create new programs to better suit specific needs such as the Learning
to Live program for teenagers. Equally, the gala has helped create much-needed awareness to Autism, the
challenges faced by families as well as to the existence of Shining Through and what we do for these families
and most importantly, their children,” explains Santini, expressing gratitude to the Mayor for recognizing the
value his organization brings.
PRIDE
RECEIVED
$10,000.
GIVEN WHAT
HAPPENED IN
ORLANDO AND
CONTINUES
TO HAPPEN
THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD,
IT IS OUR
RESPONSIBILITY
TO GENERATE
GREATER
AWARENESS.
WE MUST STAND
WITH PEOPLE
WHEN THEY
ARE IN NEED.”
- Mayor Maurizio
Bevilacqua
26
Celebrate Vaughan / 2016
This heartfelt appreciation as well as the true essence of The Spirit of Generosity are exemplified and most
strongly felt at the Mayor's Gala. Considered Vaughan's premiere and most anticipated event, it not only attracts
sponsors and their recipients but all community members. In just a short period of time its popularity has soared,
so much so that the Mayor has come to refer to it fondly as, “The People's Gala”. Staggering attendance numbers and inspiring themes such as “The Next Chapter”, “Sen5s in the City” and this year's “Making Modern
History” which commemorated the city's 25th anniversary, have accelerated the movement even enticing the
likes of Jully Black and Serena Ryder, renowned Juno-winning artists who have elevated the gala to new heights
with their electrifying performances. Adding to its appeal is the exciting live auction which in 2016 catapulted
into a bidding frenzy. Dinner with Mayor Bevilacqua, including an opportunity to name a street in the new
Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct, was settled by Fred Darvish of Liberty Development at a record-breaking
$400,000 to be donated directly to the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital as was the $1.2 million pledged by
Carlo Baldassarra the Greenpark Group. The evening resulted in raising a net sum of over $2 million.
Although special projects, such as the development of the new hospital, are of top priority so is raising awareness to current issues. “Pride received $10,000. Given what happened in Orlando and continues to happen
throughout the world, it is our responsibility to generate greater awareness. We must stand with people when
they are in need,” says Mayor Bevilacqua who, by acknowledging the 2016 attacks made on the LGBTQ
community, has proven that The Spirit of Generosity isn't just a beacon of hope but that it is also a force for
social change.
Dealing with injustice is nothing new for this man who has been in public service for 28 years and his innate
ability to meld altruism in the political realm may turn out to be one of his greatest legacies yet. However,
Mayor Bevilacqua does not see himself as a traditional politician but instead as a servant leader answering to
a higher calling. And although his actions have sparked a sense of belonging and loyalty between members
of the community, he will not take credit for The Spirit of Generosity saying the true inspiration lies within
the compassion displayed throughout his unique city. “I cannot manifest that which does not exist in people's
hearts and spirits. Perhaps I've been able to extract that from people, bring it forward and make it more visible,” he says unassumingly. With this humble approach to leadership Vaughan has indeed become a noble
city - one that lends a helping hand, bridging the gap so that no one is left behind.