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At the time of writing, we are just a few weeks away from March 26 -- D-Day for PAL Toronto’s third Annual SCRABBLE® With The Stars fundraiser. This year we have been given the elegant ballroom at the nearby St. Lawrence Hall, so we can seat more players than in our Green Room where the first two very successful events took place. We aimed a little higher financially this year and have already surpassed last year's total.
Most of the celebrities who came to Scrabble with paying guests at the
earlier events were delighted to come back again. Two of them, Sharon
and Lois of Sharon, Lois & Bram actually came on board as hard
working committee members. New celebrities, such as Amy Sky, Jeanne
Beker, Peter Kent and Don Harron are first timers this year. They will
all play a game of Scrabble with our sponsors and donors to help PAL
Toronto raise funds for a part time health care professional. This will
enable frail and ailing residents of PAL Place to remain with dignity
in their own apartments, among their fellow pros.
An hilarious feature of last year's event was the auctioning of the
services of World Scrabble® Champion, Joel Wapnick to help find the
best words to play. Margaret Atwood won his advice, but couldn't top
Dinah Christie’s winning score. Joel will be back this year and so will
Robin Pollock Daniel, who is the highest rated woman in the world of
International Scrabble®. The extra money their services bring in will
be more than welcome this year, because we have big fly in our ointment
- the ACTRA Strike!This has meant that our usual top supporters, the
unions and guilds of the performing arts world have been unable till
now to give us their customary support. However, now the strike is
over, there seems to be a chance that several will be able to get
behind us again. One already has, another has affirmed that they will.
There's no way this industry crisis could have been anticipated, so we
have just had to be more inventive in making this as financially
rewarding as it is fun for all. There are several new sponsors, all the
way from a major bank to performing arts lawyers and TV producers. Read
all about it on our web site: www.scrabblewiththestars.ca.
If this issue of Palingenesis does reach you before March 26 and
you'll be in or near Toronto, come join the fun. For $75 you can have
wine and dinner and a game of Scrabble with one of our celebs. Phone
416-603-0625 or e-mail me:
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You will surely
enjoy SCRABBLE® With The Stars -- PAL Toronto’s vibrant annual
fundraiser.
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