Help for Children Gala Raises Nearly C$200,000 for Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse

TORONTO - Nov. 30, 2016 - PRLog -- More than 200 Canadian hedge fund and financial services industry professionals and supporters gathered at The Story's Building in Toronto on November 17^th for the 13^th annual "Open Your Hearts to the Children"gala.


The special fundraising evening organized by Hedge Funds Care / Help for Children Canada (HFCC) raised nearly C$200,000for the prevention and treatment of child abuse. To date, this annual event has now raised more than C$2.5 million. The funds raised are allocated to local charities and organizations that focus on child abuse prevention and treatment.

"Once again the hedge fund and broader financial services industry in Canada showed its true benevolent colours – raising both money and awareness for this very important and unfortunately often-overlooked cause," said HFCC President and Director Corey Goldman. "The dollars raised continue to allow us to fund groundbreaking and innovative programs and research that continue to raise the bar in combating child abuse."

All of the funds raised through the Hedge Funds Care Gala are distributed through grants to local, community-based organizations devoted to preventing child abuse. This is accomplished through education, prevention, intervention, research, advocacy and training programs.

Attendees were treated to an evening of fine food, premium beer courtesy of sponsor Old Tomorrow, and a wonderful silent auction. KPMG was presented with a special award recognizing the firm's support of HFCC for more than 10 years.

The 2016 grant recipients were Boost Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention, Child Development Institute, East Metro Youth Services, Kids Help Phone and Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. To date more than 53 grants have been awarded to organizations across the country.

Laura Reid of KPMG who, along with Kim Yeung of Kensington Capital Partners, served as co-chair of this year's event and acknowledged the hedge fund community's "overwhelming response to the gala and the cause it supports."

"Our efforts would not be possible without the incredible support and generosity of our sponsors, including lead sponsor Sprott Asset Management as well as KPMG, Scotiabank, Citco Canada, Arrow Capital Management, Deloitte Canada, Picton Mahoney Asset Management, Polar Securities, TD Securities, and many others."

About Help for Children

Help for Children/ Hedge Funds Care Canada was established in 2004 as a way for the Canadian hedge fund community to give back to organizations that provide prevention services to children and families who are at risk of abuse and/or neglect, and treatment to children who have been victims of abuse.

Help for Children is part of a global alliance that began 18 years ago in New York and has grown into an international nonprofit organization. It has branches in 12 major cities in Canada, the United States, the Cayman Islands, and the United Kingdom, Ireland and Hong Kong, funds more than 100 community organizations worldwide and distributes approximately $4 million in grants annually.

Help for Children is proud to be the only business group solely devoted to combating child abuse, and since its founding has made a powerful contribution to saving children. Because of the shame associated with child abuse, it remains a dramatically under-resourced and rarely discussed problem.

For additional information please visit www.HFC.org.