November / December 2013 - Angel Foundation for Learning

e-Newsletter
In This Issue
November / December 2013
The Buddy Bulletin
•
A Message from the Executive Director
•
Highlights from The Angel Foundation
for Learning
•
Upcoming Events
•
2014 Golf Fore All Book
•
Connect with us!
President’s Message
A Message from the Executive Director
Happy Advent!
As we celebrate the Advent season in preparation for the
joyous birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we inevitably also think of
those less fortunate among us. We know that our blessed
traditions surrounding Christmas bring much peace, love and
joy to our families, friends and acquaintances. Our mandate of
giving at The Angel Foundation for Learning becomes even
more special at this time of the year.
At Christmas, everyone receives requests from a variety of
worthy organizations, all looking for donations. As you are
making your choice of where to direct your charity dollars
during the Christmas season, please consider making The
Angel Foundation for Learning one of your choices.
All of the money we raise goes directly to support students in
the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Approximately 30
per cent of our students are living in poverty and many of these rely heavily on the support they
receive through our Guardian Angel Funds and other programs. Visit our website for further
information at www.angelfoundationforlearning.org.
Seasons Greetings!
As the song says ... it's the most
beautiful time of the year! Our Catholic
community will soon be celebrating the
birth of Christ with all its festivities, joy
and gift-giving.
As we all head into the busy holiday
season, I would like to ask that we keep
those who are less fortunate in your
thoughts and prayers, including the
many students supported by The Angel
Foundation for Learning. There are
many within the TCDSB community that
do not have the means to celebrate
Christmas fully so please consider
making a donation to the Foundation
during this Season of Giving. With your
support, we can bring a little joy to those
in need this holiday season.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to
thank everyone who came out and
supported the Foundation at the
We offer many different options for giving:
• Participate in our Christmas Giving Campaign. All funds through this campaign will be
directed to the Social Work Emergency Fund. Click here to donate!
• Make a general donation or make one in memory of or in honour of someone. Click here
for our donation form.
• If you are a TCDSB employee, join our Cents-off program. We have reached 1,643
participants – only 8,000 employees to go! A few members have mentioned that when
they changed positions within the Board, they were no longer part of the Cents-off
program. Please check your bi-weekly pay report either on the employee portal or in your
bank deposit – if there are “cents” included in your salary, you are not part of the Centsoff program (unless you have opted to donate a set amount rather than just the "cents"
from each paycheque). Click here to access the Cents-off form. This form can be
completed electronically and sent directly to the TCDSB payroll department.
Congratulations to Roger Richard, a teacher from Fr. John Redmond who was November's
recipient of the Random Cents-off draw. Roger is enjoying fresh brewed espresso from his new
coffee maker and coffee beans!
May the Christmas season and the spirit of giving bring you much joy, peace and happiness.
Celebrate and enjoy the Christmas spirit with your family, friends and work communities. May
you embody the message that:
A gathering of Angels creates HOPE.
God Bless you Always and Forever,
Marisa
Evening to Feed the Soul – The First
Noёl Gala on November 15. Your
enthusiasm and generosity continue to
make this event a stunning and
memorable evening! Thank you!
I want to wish all of you a Merry
Christmas and a joyous New Year - may
you have a wonderful holiday season
celebrated with family and friends!
See you in 2014!
Nancy Murdocca, MSW RSW
President
The Angel Foundation for Learning
“Believe in Angels”
Mission Statement
The Angel Foundation for Learning is a
charitable organization that serves the
needs of students of the TCDSB.
Through the generosity & compassion of
donors, we support vulnerable students
by nurturing their body, mind and soul
through nutritional, educational and
spiritual programs.
Highlights from The Angel Foundation for Learning
A warm Thank You to all of our wonderful supporters and volunteers who donate their time and
money to help The Angel Foundation for Learning continue its work. Here are just a few of the
many highlights from November and early December:
Polish Children Orphan’s Charity
On Saturday, November 30, Marisa Celenza, Executive Director of The Angel Foundation for
Learning and Nancy Murdocca, President of The Angel Foundation for Learning, attended the
Polish Orphan's Charity Annual Christmas Dinner at the King Edward Hotel where proceeds from
the dinner were presented to The Angel Foundation for Learning.
Several of our nutrition programs will benefit from the donation of $5,000 presented by Dr.
Richarda Russ, founder of the Polish Orphans Charity.
Nancy and Marisa would like to thank Derek Chen, Principal, and Heather Hickey, Student
Success Teacher from Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton for attending this event as well. It was a
most enjoyable evening. Dr. Andrzej Rozbicki, Music teacher from Marrocco/Merton was also in
attendance as he works closely with Dr. Russ and the Polish Orphan's Charity leading a group of
students in a summer study trip to Poland.
Make a donation
Derek Chen (Principal) Dr. Andrzej Rozbicki (Music teacher), and Heather Hickey (Student Success teacher),
all from Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton
Nancy Murdocca (President, The Angel Foundation for Learning) and Marisa Celenza
(Executive Director, The Angel Foundation for Learning)
Bob Wilson Music Camp
The Bob Wilson Music Camp at Teen Ranch, made possible by The Angel Foundation for
Learning through a generous bequest from Mr. Bob Wilson, a former employee of the TCDSB,
allows students the opportunity to participate in a variety of music-related activities.
Contact Us
80 Sheppard Ave. East
Toronto, ON M2N 6E8
416.222.8282 x2195
Thank you to Graziano Brescacin, music resource teacher, for organizing this music camp for our
students. We also want to thank those who helped make this year’s Bob Wilson Music Camp a
smashing success!
Executive Director
Marisa Celenza
416.222.8282 x2195
[email protected]
Office Manager
Manuela Caputo
416.222.8282 x2844
[email protected]
Partnerships, Fundraising & Special Events
Manager
Jessica Colucci
416.222.8282 x2205
[email protected]
Student Nutrition Program Managers
Joanne Benvenuti – Secondary Programs
416.222.8282 x2192
[email protected]
Tina Giustizia– Elementary Programs
416.222.8282 x2194
[email protected]
Partnerships, Marketing and
Communications Manager
Stephanie Caruso
416.222.8282 x6022
[email protected]
Clerical Assistant
Jennifer Tocci
416.222.8282 x2022
[email protected]
VOCE Choir Christmas Concert
On Sunday, December 1, friends and family
members were treated to a lovely Christmas
concert by the VOCE Choir at the Catholic
Education Centre. VOCE is a choir made up of
children from elementary schools across the
TCDSB and is sponsored by a generous
donation from the bequest of Mr. Bob Wilson, a
former employee of the TCDSB. The Angel
Foundation for Learning is proud to administer
the VOCE choir, allowing all students the
opportunity to shine.
2013 Evening to Feed the Soul – The First Noël Gala
The Angel Foundation for Learning’s Evening to Feed the Soul – The First Noёl Gala, held on November 15, 2013, was a
tremendous success. With performances by the St. Michael’s Benefit Choir, TCDSB alumnus Roy Tugbang and the Maple
Academy of Dance, over 800 guests joined Master of Ceremonies Suhana Meharchand (host of CBC News Today and News
Anchor of CBC News Now) for a night of dancing, laughter and prizes.
Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s gala. Funds raised benefit TCDSB students supported by The Angel
Foundation for Learning.
Maple Academy of Dance
TCDSB CSLIT
Check out more photos from the Gala on our Flickr set.
TCDSB Communications Department
CEC Appreciation Breakfast
On Wednesday, December 4, The Angel Foundation for Learning held an appreciation breakfast at the Catholic Education
Centre. This was our way of saying thank you for the generosity the TCDSB and CEC employees have shown us throughout the
past year!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for breakfast!
Mountain of Smiles
A special thank you to the Mountain of Smiles charity who worked with The Angel Foundation for Learning in order to make a
donation of warm winter clothing, including jackets, hats and scarves to students at St. Francis de Sales.
The generosity of the Mountain of Smiles charity is much appreciated as we head into the cold winter months and we thank
them on behalf of the students for their thoughtful donation during this Giving Season.
An outpouring of generosity from schools
As we head into the Giving Season, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our school community and student
leaders. They have been thinking of The Angel Foundation for Learning and supporting us in many different ways.
We are so grateful for everyone’s support and cannot thank you all enough for your dedication to the students of the TCDSB!
Just some of the amazing things that our school communities have been doing for The Angel Foundation for Learning to:
• Blessed Cardinal Newman, St. Jerome and St. Paschal Baylon donated the proceeds from their Civvies Days to the
Foundation
• Chaminade hosted a Pasta Bingo Night on Friday, November 29, with proceeds going to the Foundation
• On December 3, Bishop Allen hosted their annual Career Day. In lieu of gifts this year, the school made a donation to the
Foundation in honour of their Career Day Presenters. Bishop Allen also gave The Angel Foundation for Learning a very
generous $3,000 donation earlier this school year.
• The amazing student leaders of CSLIT hosted the CSLIT Talent Show on December 3, with funds raised going towards the
Foundation.
Watch for photos from these events and more on our Flickr page!
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars will these exciting events we have planned for the
2013-14 year!
5th annual Toronto Marlies Health Action Day
SAVE THE DATE! The TCDSB and the Toronto Marlies Hockey Club, in
conjunction with The Angel Foundation for Learning and TCDSB Health
Action Teams, invite your school to participate in the 5th annual Toronto
Marlies Health Action Day fundraising hockey game.
The goal of the game is to deliver positive messages from the TCDSB
Physical Education Department, which will include healthy, active living
and realizing the importance of good nutrition, physical activity, and
making healthy choices. The experience also includes incentives for
students who have demonstrated leadership in their school community.
The game will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 11:00
a.m. at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. Tickets for the game have been
discounted to $15 per student and includes a donation to The Angel
Foundation for Learning – official charity of the TCDSB.
Keep an eye out for our event flyer in your school and join us at the
game on February 26!
FEBRUARY 10 -14, 2014
Believe in Angels Week
The TCDSB proclaims this week as a way to pay tribute to Real Life Angels.
MAY 1, 2014
Dream Getaway Lottery
Purchase tickets for a chance to win one of many great getaways!
2014 Golf Fore All book
It’s never too early to start thinking about Spring and the golf season!
Golf Fore All 2014 is now available and offers green fee discounts at many of Toronto and South
Central Ontario’s finest public, semi-private and resort courses.
The book features:
• over 1,000 coupons at 181 golf facilities
• over 630 “2 for 1″ coupons
• weekend play at 144 courses
• TCDSB Special pricing: $42 (including HST and shipping)
This year's edition is only $42 for TCDSB employees and $10 from every Golf Fore All book sold
goes directly to The Angel Foundation for Learning. To order your own copy, please click here for
the order form.
Connect with us!
Connect with us through social media and help us spread the word about The Angel Foundation for Learning.
Angel Foundation for Learning
@AFLToronto
The Angel Foundation for Learning
Channel: TheAngelFoundation4L
To make a donation online, visit
Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year!