Villa Charities Annual Gala A Huge Success
With well over $375,000 raised!!!!


For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 4, 2005

On Thursday, September 29, 2005 Villa Charities presented its annual gala, The Venetian Ball with over 500 guests in attendance. Celebrating its 12th successful year, the event embodied the spirit of a Venetian Carnevale and exceeded last year's total with over $375,000 raised! This year the Ball took place at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex in downtown Toronto and combined the best of delicious food and live entertainment with a very Venetian flair.

Venetian Ball Committee Co-Chairs Mr. John Appugliesi and wife Rita were at the helm of Villa Charities' signature event, and helped secure some of the evening's major sponsors including: Brampton Brick, Midland Group of Companies and Sentry Select Capital Corporation. "Several months ago, Villa Charities asked us to be the Co-Chairs of this year's Venetian Ball and we were sincerely honoured by the invitation," said Rita Appugliesi. "Over the years, we've been involved with many different charity events, but this one holds a special place because it represents our community and many of our friends," John Appugliesi added.

Rudolph P. Bratty, Chair of the Villa Charities' Foundation, was pleased that the commitment to culturally sensitive care continues with a generation of dedicated volunteers. "What's inspiring is that the same spirit continues with newer and younger faces, with new leaders- individuals such as this year's Co-Chairs, John and Rita Appugliesi - who took over the reins of organizing the Ball, explained Bratty. "In addition, we set a high bench-mark with ambitious targets this year, and their success has been nothing short of inspiring," he added.

All proceeds from the Venetian Ball go to Villa Charities - an organization dedicated to delivering culturally sensitive care through its affiliates: Villa Colombo Services for Seniors; Columbus Centre, VITA Community Living Services and Villa Colombo Vaughan.

Venetian Ball Committee

Co-Chairs
Giancarlo Appugliesi
Rita Appugliesi

Honourary Chairs
Franco Palladini
Elle Palladini

Committee
Sam Ciccolini
Joyce Frustaglio
Tiziana Gargari
Brian Gluckstein
Anthony Longo
Gay Longo
Alex Shnaider
Simona Shnaider
Joseph Zinni
Nadia Zinni

Honorary Advisors
Angela Baldassarra
Sandra Belvedere
Catherine Bratty
Marlene DelZotto
Alma Fidani
Wendy Switzer Myles

Venetian Ball Sponsors as of August 25, 2005:

Zaffiro ($25,000)
Brampton Brick
Midland Metals
Sentry Select Capital Corp.

Smeraldo ($15,000)
Canaccord Capital
CIBC Commercial Banking
Ferrari of Ontario
Jasper Construction
Jasper Construction
Trump International

Ametista ($10,000)
Avante Mazda
Bratty and Partners
Hockley Valley Resort
Masters Insurance
Zentil Property Management

Aquamarina ($7,500)
Altus Helyar Cost Consulting
Castlepoint Investments Inc.
Central Ontario Regional, Carpenters Union
CIBC Imperial Services
CIBC Private Wealth
Goldfarb Shulman Patel
Highland Farms
Longo Brothers Fruit Market
Magna International Inc.
Pusateri's Fine Foods
Scotia Private Client Group
TD Commercial Banking Beaver Creek Real Estate Group
Toro Aluminium
Universal Union Local 183

Media Contact: Adriana Suppa
Communications Manager, Villa Charities
(416) 789-7011 ext. 302
suppa@villacharities.com