In early December, 2015, our friend and supporter Michael Wekerle offered Women’s Crisis Services the use of his corporate suite for a Toronto Raptors game!
This isn’t the first time Wek (as his fans from Dragon’s Den call him) has offered his support and generosity to help women and children escaping violence in our Region. Last October he hosted a dinner for our supporters and shared his stories and admiration for the work we do.
Michael has invested not only his business skills and time into Waterloo Region, but has also invested his concern and philanthropy where he has a passion; children at risk.
Our two shelters, Haven House and Anselma House, serve over ten classrooms full of children every year. These children have experienced trauma and heartbreak. Our goal is to keep them safe and help them heal so that they break the intergenerational cycle of abuse and move beyond violence. With Michael’s support, we are moving closer to opening our rebuilt Haven House.
The tickets for his corporate suite at a Raptors game were offered to the public by a blind bid auction. All day long bidders sent in their highest bids to win a pair of tickets, there were five pairs in total available. Bids came from all over Ontario and we had a full suite of guests at the end of the day. All of the proceeds from the sale of these tickets are directed towards our campaign that is Rebuilding Haven House.
Whether they were celebrating a birthday, taking friends out, or surprising a loved one with a holiday gift, this was a very special treat for anyone to experience. 
The suite, CENTRE COURT on the 200 level, filled with energy and excitement. What a great view and a great way to experience our TORONTO RAPTORS win against the Charlotte Hornets!
The crowd was loud and the game was a nail biter, but in the end the RAPTORS won and made sure that all of us left happy. So did our suite Hostess who also has a connection to Waterloo Region!
This experience and the funds generated, would not have been possible without this thoughtful gesture from Michael Wekerle. We thank him for thinking of the children we serve and for finding new and unique ways to support our work and our community.