28 Jun 2016 Fundraiser Another “Smashing” Success
Zancor Homes and Lifetime Developments raise $300,000 for local charities! WITH MUSIC PUMPING, paddles swinging and balls bouncing, the fi fth annual Smashed fundraising event was – yet again – a smashing success. Presented by Zancor Homes and Lifetime Developments, Smashed was held on Sept. 30 at Rebel Complex – Toronto’s hot new entertainment venue at the site of the former Sound Academy – before it opened to the public in October.
Donned in their tennis whites, more than 500 guests attended this year’s Smashed event. The annual ping pong tournament had 32 players competing for the winner’s title, trophy and grand prize, but only one lucky winner took home $1,000 and fi rst place bragging rights.
Following the tournament, the after-party started rockin’ at Rebel Complex. Special guests included Toronto Maple Leafs Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk. The stars donated a pair of tickets to an upcoming 2016 season Toronto Maple Leafs game, as well as Maple Leafs jerseys.
With a new, never-been-seen location and an ambitious fundraising benchmark to beat from last year’s Smashed event, there was a lot of excitement leading up to the event this year. Thanks to the incredible support from the building community through corporate sponsorships, ticket sales and donations, Lifetime and Zancor were able to significantly surpass their fundraising goal.
“I never cease to be amazed by the impressive generosity and participation of the many people who have helped make Smashed such a hit, year after year,” says Brian Brown, co-chair of the Smashed Charity Ping Pong Tournament and Event, and Lifetime Developments’ vice-president. “Without a doubt, Smashed has become one of the development industry’s hottest events, and each year the event is growing and becoming more successful than the last.”
Over the last five years, more than $650,000 has been raised from Smashed for a number of invaluable charities. This year’s Smashed event raised $300,000 – exceeding the developers’ fundraising goal of $250,000 – and proceeds will generously be donated to Lifeline, the Lifetime Charitable Foundation, Free the Children, and the Make a Wish Foundation.
“The generosity of those supporting the event, including members of the development industry and friends of Lifetime and Zancor, has always been overwhelming and demonstrates a shared concern for Torontonians in need,” says Brown.
Lifeline was founded by Lifetime Developments in 2014 with the goal to provide aid and support for Toronto’s vulnerable and at-risk communities by raising awareness and funds, and by facilitating various hands-on initiatives and on-the-street activities to improve the lives of those at risk. Lifeline is dedicated to building healthy communities and uses the funds raised to support local organizations and initiatives with an emphasis on homelessness, at-risk youth, food bank services, counselling, and educational services.
With the funds raised this year and in the past through Smashed, Lifeline is able to continue to support, and work alongside some amazing programs and charitable organizations within Toronto including Second Harvest, Breakfast for Learning, Baycrest, The Children’s Book Bank, Eva’s Initiatives, Covenant House and many more.