JOIN US, FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE 8
THE EVENT
The 8th Annual Fight for Independence event and charity auction to benefit Nazareth House and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Emergency Department will take place at Steam Whistle Brewing on September 28th, 2011. We're looking forward to another successful event. Thank you to everyone who has attended in the past and tothose people who support the live and silent auctions. We hope you will join us for a wonderful evening, and know how much you are helping women and children in our community who are suffering in life-threatening situations.
Established as a registered not-for-profit charitable organization, Nazareth House is a home, in Toronto's Annex, for at-risk women and infants. Since 1985, Nazareth House has provided safe housing to over 1,000 women and 125 infants. These are women with special needs – fleeing from domestic abuse, or recovering from mental health or substance abuse issues - who urgently require a place to call home. Nazareth House is not a traditional shelter – it is a facility that performs a permanent service to help these women learn to live independently, rejoin the workforce and be caring mothers to their children. Nazareth House is funded, in part, by the City of Toronto's Supports to Daily Living Program, but depends on private donations and its volunteers to stay operational. It is the generous and thoughtful donations from people like you and businesses like yours that help Nazareth House remain a place of hope.
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in the country. As innovators in child health, SickKids improves the health of children by integrating care, research and teaching. The Emergency Department (ED) at SickKids provides a vital service to both the community and the hospital as last year alone, more than 48,000 children were treated and 42% of all patient admissions were conducted in the Emergency Department. The Emergency Department Trauma Program at SickKids is a leading trauma program and treats over 900 trauma patients a year.
The event promises to be full of excellent food, wonderful entertainment and outstanding auction items. We promise that you will have a memorable evening. In 2010 tickets sold out so be sure to buy your ticket now!
FOOD & DRINKS
Catered by SALT, the food you will enjoy is "Progressive Portuguese" from Chiado, named one of the top ten restaurants in Toronto, with bold flavours and beautiful presentation. Owner, Albino Silva may offer wild Atlantic salmon on the menu or tangy plump jumbo shrimp in his famous tangy marinade. Every year his tender lamb chops, roasted beef tenderloin with noodles and decadent prosciutto are crowd favourites. Served, by the finest wait staff in Toronto, in bite-sized pieces, so you'll have no trouble enjoying a cold beer from Steam Whistle Brewery, or a lovely glass of wine from Chiado, or our signature TKO-tini, provided by Iceberg Vodka! Not to be missed is the artful and decadent dessert station – a variety of delectable cheeses and tiny mouthfuls of sweet treats – irresistible!
A choice of cold Pilsner from Steam Whistle Brewery, a lovely glass of Portuguese wine from Chiado and Food & Wines of Portugal, or our signature TKO-tini, provided by Iceberg Vodka.
LIVE AUCTION
The Live Auction has historically included five star resort getaways, Top Gun Flight Training, Celebrity Golf and much more. The 2011 Auction Lineup will be unveiled shortly – check back regularly.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
We look forward to another performance by "God Made me Funky". In 2010 the crowd danced until the wee hours out on the patio.
Toronto based God Made ME Funky is a funky live ensemble, comprised of a diverse array of musicians ranging from a classically trained Jazz artist to street schooled Hip-Hop and R&B vocalists. With a commonbond of moving crowds with their infectious energy, the band consists of many well known performers. GMMF won the Toronto Independent Music Award for Best R&B Band. They have produced four successful albums.
THE BOXERS
| Rico Mancini | Coach (Ringfit Boxing) |
|---|---|
| Lee Danes | Assistant Coach |
| TKMT | Boxer Training Gym |
Fight Card (Subject to Change)
- Michelle Grech (Vlaad and Co.) vs.
Elitsa Hristova (TD) - Josh Raskin (Mackie Research Capital Corporation) vs.
Jeremy Kaliel (BLT) - Patrick Miller (BELL) vs.
Gaston Bogusz (RBC) - Mike Easson (TriAct Canada) vs.
Brian Fernandez (Fidelity Clearing Canada ULC / IRESS) - A womens' fight from Savoy's club
Boxers Currently Training
| Andrew Covato | eBay / Kijiji |
|---|---|
| Andrew Eaton | TD |
| Bill Vlaad | Vlaad & Co. |
| Brian Fernandes | Fidelity Clearing Canada ULC / IRESS |
| Don Soegiarto | HSBC |
| Doug Tanner | CIBC |
| Elitsa Hristova | TD |
| Gaston Bogusz | RBC Dexia |
| Gerri Holowachuk | IPCC |
| Jake Mandrow | - |
| Jeannine Gopaul | Manulife Asset Management |
| Jeremy Kaliel | BLT |
| Jesse Ahlan | CIBC |
| Jessica Olsson | Barclays Capital |
| Jim Beattie | CIBC |
| Jodi Bryson | CIBC |
| Josh Raskin | Mackie Research Capital Corporation |
| Kevin Ong | Korpnet |
| Kevin Tam | Barclays Capital |
| Lou Mouaket | CIBC |
| Luke Nixon-Janssen | Ritz Carlton |
| Mariana Josan | Manulife Asset Management |
| Michelle Grech | Vlaad & Co. |
| Mike Easson | TriAct Canada |
| Natalie Nazar | Air Transat |
| Niall Henry | CIBC |
| Patrick Miller | BELL |
| Rob Pulkys | OTPP |
| Sam Trotta | Striation 6 |
| Stephen Pynn | CIBC |
| Steve Mantzouranis | Canaccord Genuity |
| Tom Hayes | Sionna Investment Managers |
UFC
The following UFC Fighters will be attending the 8th Annual Fight For Independence.
Claude Patrick
| Record: | 14-1 |
|---|---|
| Class: | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Age: | 31 years old |
| Height: | 5'11'' |
| Reach: | 75'' |
| Style: | Bushido |
| Fighting out of: | Toronto, ON |
Claude was born and raised in Toronto, Ont. Claude is the owner Elite Training Centre in Mississauga where he instructs Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and boxing. Claude only started his formal training in 1997, but spent his twenties getting a traveling education in MMA living and training in Montreal and Vegas before settling down back in Toronto. Claude is a multiple time Canadian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion, and TFC Canadian MMA Welterweight Champ. His only ever loss was his second professional fight, since then he has gone on a 13-fight win streak, and is 3-0 in the UFC. Claude's next opponent or date has not been set yet, but he looks forward to continue his six-year winning streak.
Mark Bocek
| Record: | 9-4 |
|---|---|
| Class: | Lightweight (155 lbs) |
| Age: | 29 years old |
| Height: | 5'8'' |
| Reach: | 75'' |
| Style: | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Fighting out of: | Woodbridge, ON |
Mark was born in Toronto, and currently lives in Woodbridge, Ont. with his girlfriend. Like many fighters in the UFC his passion for the sport started when he first saw one of the early UFC video tapes. Mark has been a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts practitioner ever since. Before Mark started competing in the UFC he was a Jiu-jitsu instructor, and prior to Mark turning pro he achieved many accomplishments in his amateur career; World Cup BJJ Champ, 3x Pan Am Medalist, North American Abu Dhabi trials Champ, 2x Grapplers Quest US National Champ, 5x Canadian Grappling Champ. Bocek has been fighting in the UFC since 2007 and his record is 5-4, with most of his victories coming via submission. He is also a two-time submission of the night winner.
Sean Pierson
| Record: | 11-5 |
|---|---|
| Class: | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Age: | 35 years old |
| Height: | 6'0'' |
| Reach: | 76'' |
| Style: | Wrestler |
| Fighting out of: | Toronto, ON |
Sean was born in Scarborough and now lives in Stouffville, Ont. with his wife Julia and son, Logan. After watching UFC 1 as a kid with friends, Sean discovered his passion and he started down the path of achieving his lifelong goal to compete in the UFC. Sean joined the wrestling team in grade 4 and competed all the way through university. While completing his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration at Brock University, he was multiple time Canadian National Greco Champion, Canadian University National Freestyle Champion. Sean began his professional MMA career in October 1999; he won, UCC World Welterweight Champion and IFC Canadian Middle Weight Champion. In December 2010, Sean was finally given the opportunity to achieve his goal and compete in the UFC. Sean put on a show during his victorious debut performance with an unofficial Fight of the Night performance against Matt Riddle. In his second matchup Sean took on top-10 Welterweight Jake Ellenberger on late notice and took his first UFC loss. Back into his training again, Sean looks forward to his next fight scheduled for UFC 140 in Toronto.
VENUE & DIRECTIONS
Steam Whistle Brewing's historic Roundhouse is an architectural gem with large multi-paned windows, 30-foot ceilings, hand-hewn support pillars and exposed red brick. Steam Whistle's renovation has kept much of its originality in place. The atmosphere is inviting and very social. Truly an extraordinary venue for the 8th Annual Fight For Independence Event & Charity Auction!
Steamwhistle Brewing
255 Bremner Blvd
Toronto Ontario
Canada
