Great Valentine Gala

The Great Valentine Gala, held every February in Toronto, is the CFPDP’s No. 1 fundraising event. It has raised over $25 million and has become a glittering showcase for the unheralded achievements of physically challenged Canadians everywhere. “It’s changed the way we think about people with disabilities.” Its driving force has been Toronto businessman, philanthropist and CFPDP founder Vim Kochhar. “People with disabilities have so much to offer yet they’ve been marginalized mostly on the basis of appearance,” says Kochhar. “The Gala is a celebration of the things that really matter – things like character, compassion and community. We’ve had over 22,000 people at the Gala since it started in 1985 and active involvement from many of our leading corporations. “It’s a great way to build awareness.” Great Valentine Gala revenues have helped support many organizations, programs, services, special events and homes for many physically challenged Canadians.

Jim Cuddy: When Jim got his first guitar at the age of ten, the first song he learned was Gordon Lightfoot’s “That’s What You Get For Loving Me”. Today, twenty-five years after the formation of Blue Rodeo, Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor are widely respected as one of Canada’s best songwriting teams. In 1998, Jim released All in Time which went on to sell Gold in his native Canada. His next album, 2006’s The Light That Guides You Home, was released to critical acclaim and won the Juno for Adult Alternative Album of the Year. In 2011 Jim released Skyscraper Soul, his 3rd solo album. His voice, always a voluptuous instrument, has never sounded better and Cuddy proves once again that his songwriting ranks with the best Canada has to offer. In January 2018 Jim will release Constellation, his 4th solo album and will tour across Canada starting in February.

Blue Rodeo’s awards and honours include eleven JUNO Awards, the Governor General’s Award for Performing Arts, a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, membership in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, 15 SOCAN Classics Awards and National Achievement Award, and the keys to the City of Toronto. Jim Cuddy has received two JUNO Awards for his solo work and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2013.

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