KRG Children’s Charities presents $500,000 to SickKids

Steven Wise, Chairman and CEO of the KRG Children’s Charities, presented a $500,000 cheque to SickKids hospital at the 17th Annual KRG Children’s Charities Gala, held in February at the historic Carlu in downtown Toronto.
Wise presented the cheque to Wanda Schoonheyt, director of the burns, plastic surgery and craniofacial program at SickKids, and Dr. Christopher Forrest, head of the division of plastic surgery. SickKids is Canada’s most research-intensive hospital and largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health.
“We feel at this time the funds raised by The KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation will best serve SickKids with the renovation of the Burns, Plastics and Craniofacial Unit,” Wise said during the presentation. “When and where we can help children, we continue to be committed.”
The KRG Children’s Charities is a non-profit foundation operated by the KRG Insurance Group of Toronto. The Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and much-needed funds for a number of children’s charities. The KRG gala event also saw money go to the following beneficiaries:
Zareinu Education Centre, which provides therapeutic and educational programs for children with a wide range of physical and developmental disabilities.
Variety Village, which offers sports and recreational program activities for children with special needs
The Jean Tweed Centre, Ontario’s largest treatment facility for women with substance abuse problems.
Camp Oochigeas, which provides camping experiences for children with cancer
The Children’s Aid Foundation, which provides programs designed to improve the lives of abused, neglected and high-risk children through education, enrichment and prevention.
The hundreds of guests in attendance at the annual gala included insurance industry representatives, clients, friends and co-workers.
Over the past 17 years KRG Children’s Charities has held more than 30 events (including KRG Children’s Charities annual golf tournament) and KRG Insurance Brokers continues to provide a core group of volunteers to the events, in addition to their relationships in the insurance industry providing a significant level of sponsorship and donation.
Paul Martin, President and Chief Operating Officer of KRG Insurance Brokers has been committed to developing the charities corporate sponsors and affiliates. Through Martin’s contacts and insurance industry relationships, KRG Children’s Charities now enjoys the support from over 20 insurance companies and industry affiliates at these events.
KRG Children’s Charities has provided financial funding of more than $2 million to ensure special needs children can enjoy a better life, a healthier well-being, and more suitable educational requirements to help them in all aspects of development. According to Patti Goldberg, President of KRG Children’s Charities, “For over 15 years we have raised funds and awareness for worthwhile charities that benefit children in Canada – and with the unique view that fundraising should be ‘fun’, we’ve strived to create interesting, entertaining and worthwhile events that generate awareness to the issues of the day, in addition to raising money to support them.”