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TORONTO : On Friday, August 27 The Burgundy Brick Foundation (BBF) hosted its third benefit in support of Habitat for Humanity Toronto. With the ambitious theme of “Build the Future”, BBF invited 300 guests for a night of dancing, mingling and great conversation. With the help of several generous corporate sponsorships and the energetic youth of Toronto, BBF raised a grand total of approximately $35,000.

“It is nice to get involved with Habitat because it is truly the most rewarding feeling when you are able to meet a family who will now have a place to call home because of the efforts that Burgundy Brick contributes” said Alana De Gasperis, Executive Director, The Burgundy Brick Foundation.

The executive members of the BBF have participated in one-day builds, ground-breaking ceremonies and key-awarding moments with Habitat for Humanity Toronto and our proud to host this event to help make the end result possible.

“The Burgundy Brick Foundation is an inspiring example of the kind of social change that can happen through youth leadership. Through their dedication to make a tangible difference in their community brick by brick, the Foundation has exemplified the important role young people have as citizens. The team is not only an inspiration to other youth, but to all Habitat Toronto volunteers, supporters and staff”, said Neil Hetherington, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Toronto.

The Burgundy Brick Foundation (BBF) is a non-profit organization founded by a group of young adults who aim to support existing not-for-profit initiatives within the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Founded in the spring of 2007, the BBF team is ambitious and dedicated to making a difference within their community. For more information on this initiative please visit www.burgundybrick.org

For Further Information Contact:

Melanie Cammalleri
Communications Director
The Burgundy Brick Foundation
melanie@burgundybrick.org
416.566.9130

TORONTO: The Burgundy Brick Foundation along with the help of many generous friends donated over 150 coats, 50 hats, 25 scarves, 20 pairs of gloves to the Horizons for Youth this holiday season to ensure the youth of Toronto have a comfortable 2010 winter season.

“We have harsh winters and warm clothes are expensive and often not the highest priority, so we wanted to ensure we were doing what we could for those who suffer during the long winter season,” said Alana DeGasperis, executive director, Burgundy Brick Foundation.

The Burgundy Brick Foundation is founded on the principles of helping at the grass-roots level. It works to assist the under-privileged in obtaining the adequate necessities to live a comfortable life, so they can achieve their bigger goals and aspirations.

Horizons for Youth is an organization that focuses on the homeless youth. They provide shelter, meals and the hope of finding a job, securing a home and becoming independent. Burgundy Brick supports and respects what this organization does for Toronto’s youth, and collaborating with them helps us both reach a common goal.

To date the Burgundy Brick Foundation has succeeded in a variety of initiatives in support of charities within Toronto. Two third-party events have been hosted since 2007; through corporate sponsorships and individual donations the Burgundy Brick Foundation has raised enough funds to endow a house in the new solar development. Members of Burgundy Brick also pride themselves on their ability to increase awareness among youth, by gathering volunteers to participate in adopt-a-day challenges, one-day builds, food and clothing drives.

For Further Information Contact:

Melanie Cammalleri
Communications Director
The Burgundy Brick Foundation
melanie@burgundybrick.org
416.566.9130

TORONTO: Burgundy Brick’s second annual benefit, Midnight Masquerade was a night of surprise and success. On August 22, 2008, the foundation invited Toronto youth to experience a night of mystery and intrigue with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity Toronto. Burgundy Brick raised over $50,000 and learned that Habitat Toronto will endow one new house in the foundation’s name.

“Young people have an important role as citizens and as tomorrow’s leaders to get involved in activism and make change,” said Alana De Gasperis, co-founder and executive chair, Burgundy Brick Foundation, “What better place to start than at home, in our own city.”

Burgundy Brick is determined to raise awareness through the best way young people know how: having fun. The foundation encourages the youth of Toronto to get together, socialize and discuss their social responsibility. Whether it is a night out on the town or hands-on initiatives, such a house builds; the foundation understands its obligation as leaders of tomorrow to bring youth together. The strategy is simple, yet effective: Burgundy Brick is presenting a cheque to Habitat for Humanity Toronto on September 26, 2008 for over $50,000.

“Burgundy Brick is such a wonderful example of what amazing change can happen in the world when we direct our energy to what is good,” said Neil Hetherington, chief executive officer, Habitat for Humanity Toronto, “The foundation provides hope to families living in a situation of despair; the team inspires other volunteers and our staff to keep on going.”

The Burgundy Brick Foundation is a student-governed, non-profit organization, mandated to support funding and increase awareness of affordable housing in Toronto and the GTA. The foundation helps alleviate the pressure of high-cost of housing, as recently published studies give evidence to the severity of the housing issues within Toronto. These studies found that the leading cause of poverty in Toronto is the expensive cost of housing. The average family spends 77 per cent of their income on rent, which far surpasses other critical expenses. In lieu of this, the foundation will support Habitat for Humanity Toronto. Habitat Toronto’s vision coincides with Burgundy Bricks belief that, “without a strong foundation of a home one cannot have stability in life.”

For Further Information Contact:

Melanie Cammalleri
Communications Director
The Burgundy Brick Foundation
melanie@burgundybrick.org
416.566.9130

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The Burgundy Brick Foundation Takes On Habitat For Humanity’s Adopt-A-Day Challenge

SCARBOROUGH, ON: The Burgundy Brick team is partaking in the Adopt-A-Day Challenge: an innovative team-building program run by Habitat for Humanity Toronto on Thursday, May 1, 2008. The Burgundy Brick team, consisting of 30 dedicated builders, is actively participating in National Volunteer Appreciation Week.

“Habitat is an organization that espouses values of the home, community and self-dignity, which is something that The Burgundy Brick Foundation is very passionate about,” says Stephen Lecce, co-founder and executive director, The Burgundy Brick Foundation.

Burgundy Brick is a non-profit organization founded by a group of inspired young adults whose aim is to support community members in need. Habitat for Humanity endorses the values of team building, social responsibility and above all the hope for a better future within the community. This is Habitat for Humanity’s first EnergyStar compliant project in Canadian development history. The Scarborough build began in December 2006, and Burgundy Brick’s members will be hammering in the nails, working towards the final phase of completion.

The Burgundy Brick Foundation’s mission is to grow every step of the way; through supporting established humanitarian charities, and through focusing on a diverse forms of out-reach to low-income families. The Burgundy Brick Foundation’s first event, Take One Charity Event, raised over $25,000 for Habitat for Humanity Toronto. With high expectations, Burgundy Brick hopes to surpass 2007’s funds with their upcoming event, which will take place in August 2008. The Scarborough build depicts Burgundy Brick’s hands-on effort to engage in community development. The Burgundy Brick Foundation’s belief is that “without a strong foundation of a home one cannot have stability in life, which is why it is important to support affordable housing initiatives in our community. One brick at a time, we can help change the city we live in.”

For Further Information Contact:

Melanie Cammalleri
Communications Director
The Burgundy Brick Foundation
melanie@burgundybrick.org
416.566.9130

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TORONTO: The Burgundy Brick Foundation held the Take One Charity Event at the Capital Event Theatre on August 17, 2007. The event raised over $25,500 and went towards building energy efficient homes in the Greater Toronto Area.

“Our team strength elucidates itself through the results we have achieved this year,” said Alana De Gasperis, executive director, Burgundy Brick Foundation, “The event’s success was an enormous surprise and is encouragement for our continued growth and contribution to the community.”

The Burgundy Brick executive committee felt it was important that the funds raised be donated to an organization that actively works to support and develop low-income areas of the Toronto community. With this in mind, there was a unanimous choice that Habitat for Humanity Toronto be the first recipient of Burgundy Brick’s donation.

The funds contributed to the development of Habitat Toronto’s first EnergyStar build at 4200 Kingston Road. The Burgundy Brick team visited the site, acting as volunteer builders during an Adopt-a-Day Challenge.

The Burgundy Brick Foundation’s mission is to grow every step of the way; through supporting established humanitarian charities, and through focusing on a diverse forms of out-reach to low-income families. With high expectations, Burgundy Brick hopes to surpass 2007’s funds with their upcoming event, Midnight Masquerade taking place on August 22, 2008. The Burgundy Brick Foundation’s belief is that “without a strong foundation of a home one cannot have stability in life, which is why it is important to support affordable housing initiatives in our community. One brick at a time, we can help change the city we live in.

For Further Information Contact:

Melanie Cammalleri
Communications Director
The Burgundy Brick Foundation
melanie@burgundybrick.org
416.566.9130

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