Algonquin’s $1 million commitment to the Children’s Wish Foundation was $5,000 closer to that goal when the event management students hosted a fundraiser at the Centurion Conference and Event Centre March 13.
It was a night dreams were made of. Once the grand entrance doors to the dining hall were opened, event-goer’s left the silent auctions and photo booth to be put in a trance as contemporary dancers set the scene for Sandman’s Sleepless Nights.
“Basically what we decided to do is a ‘dream-theme-theatre’ gala,” said Jessica Parker, one of the organizers of the event. “We had our guests enter and they got to experience some aerialists and contortionists while the room transitioned into a nightmare.”
Parker confirmed Monday that the event raised an estimated $5,000, doubling their projected goal of $2,500.
While artists twisted and turned and participants sat in wonder, the sandman took to the stage.
“We had Alyssa Bignell come in and play the role of the sandman, or sandwoman, who was the host for the evening” Parker said. “She’s a good friend of the program and she’s a great actress.”
As the nightmare transitioned to a dream, the sandwoman introduced viewers to Soulayma Allam who came to speak on the behalf of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Allam has been a part of the organization since her sister Hiba Allam received a wish from the foundation.
“My sister was diagnosed with leukemia, and in 2012 she became an angel,” Allam said. “Her one wish was to become a famous fashion designer, and the Children’s Wish Foundation helped make that happen at the end of the day.”
The Children’s Wish Foundation helped Hiba by introducing her to Aliya-Jasmine Sovani, a famous television personality, where they began designing a dress in which Sovani would wear to the MuchMusic Video Awards in 2012.
When the sandwoman called all eyes back to her, she signified a “wake up” by having all 150 participants in this sold-out event take part in a mass balloon-pop. Then the dance party began.
“The show was the best part, it was incredible,” said Youssef Halwani, a guest and Carleton student. “Because they are so young and they were doing crazy movements I was impressed.”
“The event is very classy, and up-beat,” Allam said. “I find it really impressive how they made all of this happen without any money, and they made it magical!”