One STEP at a Time
Danforth STEPs up in support of St. Leonard’s Society
By Amanda Kirsten Grant
On Thursday March 21st, the STEP program (Safer Tomorrows through Education and Play) of the St. Leonard’s Society will host their annual STEP into the Spotlight event at Whistler’s Grille.
St. Leonard’s Society created the program to keep kids away from gangs and drugs, as part of their crime prevention initiative. STEP is an after school program for children grades 5 to 12. At STEP, kids from all over the community get to work and play together in a safe environment, something that is especially important right now with extracurricular programs having been cancelled in most public schools. It also offers tutoring and workshops like résumé building.
This year’s event will include speakers from the community, including Toronto City Councillor Paula Fletcher. There will also be a wine-tasting game, where participants are encouraged to guess the wine for a chance to win a wine gift package. A silent auction will be held where attendees can bid on sports packages (including Leaf’s tickets) and other items donated by local Danforth businesses, like a fabulous “Night on the Danforth” package.
The focus of the event is to bring awareness to the program, but it also allows the children involved with STEP to connect with their community. Students who participate in the STEP program will be providing entertainment for the night, including a dance performance and a rap performance. STEP into the Spotlight allows the students to see that their community supports them and lets them feel involved locally.
STEP into the Spotlight is March 21st, 7–10pm, at Whistler’s Grille. Tickets are $50.00 and can be purchased here http://www.stepspotlight.ca/tickets.html or at the door.
Come on out to STEP into the Spotlight and help raise money for this worthy cause!
