Press Release: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel Supports Kids With Disabilities by Hosting Laughs for Possibility Comedy Fundraiser

Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel Supports Kids With Disabilities by Hosting Laughs for Possibility Comedy Fundraiser

Toronto, ON, September 17, 2009

On Wednesday October 21, some of Canada’s top stand-up comedians will take the mic in the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Crown Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel to help kids with disabilities. The Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase will raise funds to help Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities, work towards its vision of “a world of possibility for kids with disability.”

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars in a new venue that will allow for three times the ticket sales.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, and he is still at Bloorview today.

Ravn approached the Crowne Plaza on Eglinton at the Don Valley Parkway about the event and the catering department at the hotel agreed to help out. The central location of the hotel, with easy access from any direction in the GTA will make for a simple commute for all attendees. But most importantly, it is a short trip from Bloorview’s facilities near Bayview and Eglinton for parents of inpatient children, who can attend for free, thanks to good Samaritans who donate parent tickets . “Having a child in hospital makes it difficult for parents to allow themselves any time on their own, so finding a venue so close to Bloorview will help make it easier to leave for a couple of hours,” said Ravn. “It’s great to see a local business helping out neighbours like this.”

Tickets are available at http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/ and the full line-up of superstar Canadian comedians will be announced during the week of September 21.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@laughsforpossibility.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca