Website : www.stgeorges.to

The St. George’s Society of Toronto celebrated the patron saint of England with two sold-out events.

A capacity crowd of over 500 people packed the Ball Room of the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto on the eve of St. George’s Day for the Society’s glittering Red Rose Ball. Each year the Society presents its distinguished Award of Merit to someone for their great contributions to the community. This year’s recipient was Mitchell Cohen, President of The Daniels Corporation. For almost four decades he has been passionately committed to ensuring Canadians have a secure, affordable place to call home.

The Platinum Swing Band had guests crowding the dance floor until midnight as they celebrated The St. George’s Society of Toronto’s 175^th anniversary. Terrific raffle and auction prizes pushed the gross revenues to over $600,000. The proceeds will go to support the important work of Habitat for Humanity Toronto (Mitchell Cohen’s chosen charity) and The St. George’s Society of Toronto.

Mr. Cohen said: “All of you at St. George's should be very proud of the positive impact you are having on our city.  Your time and effort and hard work is extremely important and is making a big difference!!! All the best to all of you, and please - keep doing what you are doing.  It is important.  It is meaningful. It is changing lives for the better.”

The next day another capacity crowd of 100 celebrated St. George’s Day in the elegant Grand Hall of the Duke of Westminster. Guests were welcomed with a delicious Pimm’s cocktail. A wonderful roast beef with Yorkshire pudding dinner, a rousing quiz and silent auction led up to a terrific performance by singer Brian Pearcy. He wove the year 1834 (when the Society was founded) into lyrics and very clever banter. Thanks to the generous support of the Duke pubs that evening also ended with thousands of dollars for charity – completing the Society’s motto of “Good Fun, Good Fellowship and Good Works.”

Canadian super model and actress Monika Schnarre and Habitat for

Humanity  Toronto CEO Neil Hetherington flank St. George at the Red Rose Ball.

President of The St. George’s Society of Toronto Yvonne Jerred at the

podium with Award of Merit recipient Mitchell Cohen.

The magnificent painting of St. George was painted by renowned Canadian artist

David Jean who created it especially for the Red Rose Ball and graciously

donated it to the event auction.