The Olive Branch for Children
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR
2026 ANNUAL GALA: KUJENGA MUSTAKABALI MWEMA – BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
May 2, 2026 at Paradise Banquet Hall in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
Thank you to our Canadian supporters and our TOBFC Global Family for making our 2026 Annual Gala such an incredible event. The evening celebrated our collaborative approach to development, our achievements, and our plans for the future. Together we raised a remarkable net total of C$97,435!
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor LiUNA! Local 183 and to all our gala sponsors, ticket purchasers, volunteers and donors who were not able to join us. We couldn’t have done it without all of you!
At the gala, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca announced a $10,000 contribution from the Spirit of Generosity to continue the City of Vaughan’s support for TOBFC’s KICKIT Mobile Libraries program, now serving 28 communities and 9,000 students every week. Deborah McCracken-Nangereke thanked Mayor Del Duca by presenting him with a children’s book set in Tanzania for the City of Vaughan Libraries Collection.
Our 2026 grand total, including the Spirit of Generosity donation, is an incredible C$107,435! All of these funds will directly support TOBFC programs and services in Tanzania.
See the infographic for more achievements from our 2026 Annual Gala. Thank you to everyone who contributed to these fabulous results.
This year’s gala, held at Paradise Banquet Hall, was a wonderful evening. From sampling the antipasti and prosecco bar, enjoying a delicious dinner, bidding at the silent auction, shopping at the African market, and winning fabulous door prizes to taking pictures with friends at the photo booth, it was a fabulous party. The fun continued well into the night with dancing to our live band Switchbeat.
Long-time supporter Vincenza Marzano-Kooner, Principal of Montessori School in Kleinburg, introduced our Founder Deborah McCracken-Nangereke, who spoke about how TOBFC builds partnerships with communities to create empowerment and possibility. When we help communities address their needs – safe water, cooking gas – families have time, health and stability to be able to send their children to school. And with education comes generational change.
Deborah also spoke about our next infrastructure project – a well for Maendeleo – that will unlock the potential for this community. Thanks to generous donors, Deborah announced that we have now raised just over $20,000 – half of the funds needed for TOBFC to drill the well. Donations to support the Maendeleo well can be made directly on our website by selecting #9 Maendeleo Well Project from the drop-down menu. Watch for more exciting news as we aim to complete this project in the fall of 2026.
Thank you to all of our gala supporters. Together we are building brighter futures. We look forward to seeing our Global Family when we return to Paradise Banquet Hall for our 2027 Annual Gala.
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Opening Musicians – Stephanie Ferracane, Megan Alexander-Lui, Mari Faraone, Anthony Feliciani, Chris Bove
Band – Switchbeat
Photo Booth – Rent a Photo Booth
Event Hall
Gala Video
$10,000 Donation
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Ellen Bellach
Richard Butin
Jack & Kim Campbell
Susan Carter-Smith
Francesca Gigliotti Chari
Klongrafiken - Emi Jiwan
Compact Mould Ltd. - Familie Petrucci
Barb Davis
Amin Dhalla
Zelia & Marc Trommel
Drumm International Group Inc.
Jane Graham
Delores Klingspon
John & Deanna Leong
Karen Letwinka
Eileen Linfield
Pat & Tom McCabe
Ginette McCracken
Wayne McCracken
Michael Neffe
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Ellen Bellach
Richard Butin
Jack & Kim Campbell
Susan Carter-Smith
Francesca Gigliotti Chari
Klongrafiken - Emi Jiwan
Compact Mould Ltd. - Familie Petrucci
Barb Davis
Amin Dhalla
Zelia & Marc Trommel
Drumm International Group Inc.
Jane Graham
Delores Klingspon
John & Deanna Leong
Karen Letwinka
Eileen Linfield
Pat & Tom McCabe
Ginette McCracken
Wayne McCracken
Michael Neffe
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Ellen Bellach
Richard Butin
Jack & Kim Campbell
Susan Carter-Smith
Francesca Gigliotti Chari
Klongrafiken - Emi Jiwan
Compact Mould Ltd. - Familie Petrucci
Barb Davis
Amin Dhalla
Zelia & Marc Trommel
Drumm International Group Inc.
Jane Graham
Delores Klingspon
John & Deanna Leong
Karen Letwinka
Eileen Linfield
Pat & Tom McCabe
Ginette McCracken
Wayne McCracken
Michael Neffe
Tom Popielarczyk
Jamie Rossiter
Janice Seidelin
Angela Simpson-Cormier
Erica Sirdevan
Jeff Smith
Rebecca Smith
Gwen Sugiyama
Joan Teri
Brenda Undiri
Anonymous - 44
Gold-Level-Spender - 500 $ und mehr
Ellen Bellach
Richard Butin
Jack & Kim Campbell
Susan Carter-Smith
Francesca Gigliotti Chari
Klongrafiken - Emi Jiwan
Compact Mould Ltd. - Familie Petrucci
Barb Davis
Amin Dhalla
Zelia & Marc Trommel
Muhamed (Moe) Hamir
Holiday inn Express
Helga Hyde
Nasim Kanji
Dr. John and Deanna Leong
Deborah McCracken-Nangereke and Putiyei Nangereke
MetroFleet
Mid Valley Gardens
Allan Moore
Myth Estiatopio Restaurant
Al Nanji
National Ballet of Canada
Miguel and Cristina Petrucci
Pizzaville
ReNewYou
Repurposed with Panache
Ri-Go Lift Truck Ltd
Laura Rosati
Robbie and Daniela Rotin
Hon. Deb Schulte
Zeinul Somani
Ruby Stoffregen
Tom’s Place
Eileen Tsoumaris
Jim Varlas
WeBalloonz
White Lotus Breathwork
Wonderland Food & Equipment
Nicole Zeni
Anonymous
Our Global Family is very important to us and we want to acknowledge every individual who has made a donation. We need your consent to recognize you on our website, so if you don't see your name please contact us at info@theolivebranchforchildren.org. Let us celebrate you!