The Inaugural Keg Spirit Foundation" Invitational: Canada

TORONTO: Attracting senior corporate executives, the inaugural Keg Spirit Foundation™ Invitational was a first-class event held at Angus Glen on May 12, 2004. More than a golf tournament, this fundraiser was the first in Canada to be used as a unique training vehicle for the future fundraisers of Toronto. 

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Children’s Aid Foundation, and Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced learning have joined forces to provide a unique hands-on practical learning experience to the students of the Fundraising and Volunteer Management class. Since the beginning of their postgraduate program in September, twenty-two students have been working from Children’s Aid Foundation’s offices to plan, implement and execute The Keg Spirit Foundation’s™ inaugural golf tournament. 

Robert Gordon, President of Humber, knows the value of hands on learning. “Education is not merely what takes place in the classroom,” he says. “The knowledge student acquire as they work on tangible projects goes beyond theory. The students of the Fundraising program have learned exactly what it takes to run a successful fundraising event, and in the process were able to help a great charity.” 

Divided into sub-committees, the class was able to undertake this major event. Event Chair, Mindy Webber, speaks highly of this unique learning experience. “Each committee was responsible for a separate aspect of the planning, implementation and execution of the event. Event sponsorship, logistics, volunteer management, contests and marketing committees tackled their responsibilities with professionalism and an eagerness to learn. Watching it all come together on tournament day was an amazing experience.” 

Under the mentorship of Hala Bissada, President and CEO of Hala Inc. and part-time faculty at Humber, the students worked successfully with corporate sponsors, donors, suppliers and media partners to raise over $100,000 for The Keg Spirit Foundation. 

This year’s beneficiary is Children’s Aid Foundation. Helping Canada’s disadvantaged children, through education, enrichment and prevention initiatives. 

With presenting sponsors Molson Canada and Pepsi-QTG, and the generous support of many corporate sponsors, The Keg Spirit Foundation™ was able to better the lives of thousands of young people through the Children’s Aid Foundation, and the partnership with Humber College. 

The Keg Spirit Foundation™ was established with a mandate to provide funding to charitable organizations that demonstrate a commitment to mentoring youth, as well as investing in their healthy development. In particular, the goal is to invest in programs that mirror the mentorship that The Keg Steakhouse and Bar has provided to so many young people over the past thirty years. 

“The Keg Spirit Foundation™ Invitational is allowing us to meet our mandate in two ways,” says David Aisenstat, President of The Keg Steakhouse and Bar. “Through a monetary donation to the Children’s Aid Foundation and facilitating a unique educational experience for Humber students. We are very happy to be working with these exceptional students, and are proud of what they have accomplished with the event.”