Laugh out Loud rolls out good fun and good deeds

charlene fear

Charlene Kalia

Once again Friday evening — for the seventh annual time — Charlene Kalia’s signal fundraising evening Laugh Out Loud in Leaside has entertained local friends and many outside visitors. This year’s LOL was held to support the Regent Park Community Food Centre and Community Food Centres of Canada. In her remarks to the hundreds present at the William Lea Room at Leaside Garden Kalia said it has been important for her “to shine  a light on worthy community causes” as she found them. She told the happy crowd that together they were making an “important impact on hunger and poor health facing many of our communities.”  The benefit always features exciting food for those who attend and last night was no different.

PUBLIC SPIRITED

Among those public-spirited retailers serving to a hungry gang of partiers was Andy Elder of Grilltime at 62 Laird, Drive, De La Mer, whose oyster bar was mobbed, and kept on serving, long after oyster bars normally close. Other well-known names in Leaside: Neal Brothers Foods, the Indian restaurant Pukka, Cup Cakes Leaside, Amsterdam Brewery and Sapsucker Maple Tree Filtered Water. The outpouring of generosity is remarkable among local organizations and businesses. More than 50 donated items to be sold at silent auction. There are traditionally many coveted prizes offered in a live auctions.

LIVE AUCTIONS

This year saw winners to an escape to Fogo  Island, Newfoundland’s vacation hideaway donated by the Shorefast Foundation, a Backyard Barbecue Party for 20 guests offered by Andy Elder, a catered party in the winner’s home with Chef Miheer of O&B’s Cafe Grill in the Bayview Village, Fly Away With Me, an evening at the Nelligan Hotel in Old Montreal plus Air Canada tickets and gift a certificate,  and finally Puttin on the Ritz, a one night stay in a deluxe room at the Ritz Carlton Toronto with breakfast and a gift certificate towards the Spa and Dinner. Yes the good times rolled on at the Lea Room for a wonderful cause.