Celebrating generosity
For many years, the TFS Foundation has held an event to celebrate members of Le cercle des philanthropes de TFS, a recognition society for those who generously donate to the school.
With a brief pause since gathering in 2019, the event was back on November 17, 2022, taking place in the elegant Foyer des élèves James Doak.
“Philanthropy has been a tradition at TFS since it was founded in 1962 and, as we celebrate our sixtieth anniversary, we acknowledge that our remarkable growth over those years, and today, has been made possible thanks to the generosity of our families and community, both past and present,'' said Norman Gaudet, Head of School.
The event provided an opportunity to share all the new names that have been added to the Wall of Distinction, an honour reserved for members of Le cercle des grands mécènes, a giving circle for those who have contributed $25,000 or more in their history as a TFS donor. The wall serves as a physical and permanent expression of the school’s gratitude, as well as a reminder to students and the entire TFS community that it is thanks to the generous commitment of many that the school has risen to become what it is today, and continues to grow and expand to offer the education and experiences that provide students the opportunity to realize their full potential now and into the future.
Sander Grieve, Chair of the TFS Foundation Board of Directors, proudly announced that $10 million has been raised since the last gathering of Le Cercle des Philanthropes de TFS in 2019, including 100 per cent participation as donors from members of both the TFS and TFS Foundation Boards of Directors, $1 million in honour of our much-loved former Principal of La p’tite école, Mirna Hafez, and two more families who have, like the Labatt family, reached the $1 million milestone in their giving: Nancy Cohen '78 and her husband Stephen Goldhar, and Jennifer and Christian Lassonde.
“Nancy and Stephen have supported a variety of initiatives over a period of three decades. Their most recent gift supports plans for the future of the school master plan projects that will enable TFS to build for the not-too-distant Future,” said Grieve. “Jennifer and Christian have been valued members of our community for 12 years, whose four children all received their start at TFS,” he added. “Christian, a visionary entrepreneur, serving as Chair of the TFS Foundation at the time their gift was made, put his leadership skills to work by helping ignite ambitious plans for the Foundation to maximize philanthropic support for the school. He now serves on the TFS Board, while Jennifer has taken on a leadership role on the TFS Foundation Board, Chairing its Nominating and Governance Committee.”
A special announcement was also made by TFS parents, Mark and Vanessa Mulroney, Co-Chairs of the Gala Committee, about the Diamond Soirée, the school’s 60th anniversary celebration, being presented by the Cortellucci-Gagliano family. Taking place on April 27, 2023 at Toronto's iconic el Mocambo, tickets will go on sale online at 11:00 am on January 11, 2023.
Gaudet toasted members of Le cercle des philanthropes de TFS with his closing remarks. “You’re not only on this journey with us, you’re actually making the journey possible. Thank you for all that you do. I look forward to more nights like this one and sharing our plans as we chart a path through the next year, the next decade and beyond.”
Guests, speakers, and staff celebrate the generosity of donors to TFS at the reception for Le cercle des philanthropes on November 17, 2022.
