20 Years of Bridging the Gap
On behalf of ProAction Cops & Kids, the 20th Anniversary Committee and the ProAction Board of Directors we would like to thank you for being part of celebrating 20 years of success!
On Saturday, October 29th, 2011 ProAction Cops & Kids celebrated 20 years of bridging the gap. The 330 guests were greeted at the entrance to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel by Mounted Police Officers and escorted to the Ballroom elevators by attentive hotel staff. The event was an ode to the success of ProAction Cops & Kids over the last 20 years and the hard work Police Officers do within the communities they serve to bridge the gap between cops and kids. Guests of the elegant affair included the ProAction Board of Directors both past and present and Toronto Police Chief William Blair and Hamilton Police Chief Glenn DeCaire. Chief of Durham Mike Ewels was unable to be in attendance however sent his warm regards and congratulations. Connections were made and stories were shared between current and retired officers from the Toronto, Durham and Hamilton Police Services. It was especially heartwarming to witness the reunion of ProAction founder John Bitove Sr. and former Toronto Chief of Police William McCormack, who sat together and reminisced on the inception of the organization which began with a casual lunch two decades ago.
From the moment the Ballroom doors opened, guests were infused with an atmosphere of music thanks to the ProAction J.O.Y Choir and throughout the evening heard moving, real life stories from ProAction youth and officers. The two youth who spoke, bravely shared their stories about their lives and how ProAction has affected them in a positive way whether it be through the confidence to finish high school and continue on to a University education despite living in one of the city’s most dangerous neighbourhoods, to a young man living in a shelter who’s eyes were opened during a trip into the wilderness that there are people out there who truly care for him and know he will achieve greatness.
The always vibrant Ken Shaw was the emcee for the evening and as a former Board Member who currently sits on the Durham Council his dedication to ProAction was obvious throughout the night. Chief William Blair spoke and shared his passion for the work ProAction does in his heartfelt and honest words.
The event was a huge success and netted close to $150,000 for the organization, all of which will go directly back to ProAction programs.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our Title Sponsor, The Bitove Foundation, along with our Chief Sponsors; Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada Company, Conundrum Capital Corporation, G4S Secure Solutions [Canada] Ltd., Karrys Bros., Limited and Mobilicity. This event would not have been possible without all those who purchased tables and bought tickets, each person in attendance was an integral part in the success of the evening and to ProAction Cops & Kids.
Our sincerest thank you from ProAction Cops & Kids, we look forward to 20 more years of bridging the gap.
For more pictures from the 20th Anniversary Celebration Gala, click here.
P.C. Robert Tajti who runs MUSIC! Not Mischief, teaches a ProAction youth how to play guitar during program vignettes at the start of the evening.
ProAction's Hamilton Chapter was well represented with Council Member Paul Field and Hamilton Police Chief Glenn DeCaire.
ProAction Cops & Kids founder John Bitove Sr. (left), his son and current ProAction Board Member Tom Bitove (right) and Toronto Police Chief William Blair (centre) were among the 330 guests at the Gala.
The ProAction J.O.Y. Choir performs at ProAction's 20th Anniversary Celebration Gala at Toronto's Ritz-Carlton Hotel