Richmond Hill
November 20, 2008 11:43 PM
Adam Mc Lean
Proceeds from Tastes of the Hill multicultural food festival were served up by Town Council Monday evening to representatives from Autism Ontario - York Region chapter and the York Central Hospital Foundation.
The voracious appetites of close to 1,500 local residents who attended the event, support from more than 50 Richmond Hill vendors and numerous Town volunteers, some of who were on hand to see the fruits their labour, culminated in the form of two cheques.
Autism Ontario - York Region chapter was presented with a cheque for $23,000 and the York Central Hospital Foundation was cut a cheque for $37,000 after an additional $14,000 was added to their total via a private donation.
The second annual Tastes of the Hill festival was held on Oct. 5 at Richmond Green Sports Centre and in two-and-half hours of service, the event raised close to $50,000 for the two charities.
Tastes of the Hill chairperson and Regional Councillor Vito Spatafora said he is proud of the success of the event.
“It is great that we can help these worthy charities and at the same time provide a venue for people from all cultures to come together and connect, with their admission going to these great causes,” Mr. Spatafora said.
“We can all connect through food no matter what our heritage or language and it was inspiring seeing so many people taking part that day,” he added.
The money raised for Autism’s York Region Chapter will go to new educational and recreational programs for children.
Autism Ontario - York secretary Crystal Tancredi and president Simone Hubers were on hand for the presentation.
Ms Tancredi said she was overwhelmed by what had been accomplished at Tastes of the Hill.
“Every person who volunteered their time to this, I thank from the bottom of my heart. We are humbled by the outpouring of support to us and our kids,” Ms Tancredi said.
“This money goes a long way to making these children feel better about themselves and providing opportunities like special summer camps or support for single-parent families. The volunteers and people of Richmond Hill have really made a difference to a lot of people today,” she added.
The money raised for the York Central Hospital Foundation will go to the purchase of a new ventilator with monitor for the hospital’s intensive care unit.
“This will be a great addition to the new intensive care unit opening in April,” said Bill Leacy, Hospital Foundation President and CEO after receiving the cheque from council.
“This means a great deal to our physicians and most of all our patients to improving the health care for people in our community,” Mr. Leacy added.