Motionball is a national non-profit organization that empowers next-generation Canadians to be leaders in their communities by raising funds and awareness for the Special Olympics through inclusive social and sporting events. This year’s motionball Toronto Gala, 20^th Anniversary Celebration, took place on September 29 at the iconic Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. The motionball Toronto gala presented by Air Miles is the perfect way to give back to the community while having fun.

This event is sold out every year, with over 2,000 guests and celebrity Special Olympics athletes in attendance this year. Seventy per cent of the funds raised from motionball Toronto events are donated to Special Olympics Ontario. This funding will go toward support programs for local athletes in the community. Twenty-five per cent of funds raised will go toward the Special Olympics Canada Foundation, which is working to ensure the long-term financial integrity of the Special Olympics movement in Canada and to fund long-term athlete and volunteer growth. The final 5% will be put toward the #NoGoodWay Campaign, which aims to end the use of the R-word (retard) in regular conversation. 

Hosted by Breakfast Television’s Devo Brown, this was a night full of fun, entertainment, philanthropy and networking! This year’s Gala featured an exclusive VIP dinner with 40 celebrity Special Olympics athletes and guests, including Tessa Virtue, Morgan Rielly and Glenn MacDonell, president and CEO of Special Olympics Ontario. Hosted between two ballrooms, 10 artists provided live entertainment, including Karl Wolf, Dr. Draw, Scott Jackson and Cary Shields. With complimentary drinks, specialty cocktail bars, fun photobooths and a large silent auction featuring over 100 items, this was a night to remember!

By purchasing a ticket for this event, attendees were able to help ensure that those going to the Special Olympics have the resources they need to return to the sports programs they love this summer. This event brings awareness to the Special Olympics and creates an inclusive environment where people with and without disabilities can interact, and you can meet some of the Special Olympics athletes that motionball supports.

Motionball is looking to introduce the next generation of volunteers and donors to the Special Olympics and now hosts 50+ annual events across Canada where young professionals can mingle for a good cause. Since its inception in 2002, motionball is proud to have donated $15M to the Special Olympics Canada Foundation. This year’s gala raised an incredible $250,000 for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation, and we are so proud to have been a part of such an amazing evening.