On Friday night, February 1st, the 18th annual motionball Toronto Gala for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation took place.

The event welcomed 2,500 guests — from, celebrities, young professionals to Special Olympics athletes to the Liberty Grand to raise $300,000 net in one night for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation, the most money ever raised at a motionball Gala.

During the VIP reception, Paul Etherington took to the stage and inspired the intimate crowd to donate $36,000 in just 2 minutes by making pledges on their phones, to give Canadian children aged 2 to 6 living with an intellectual disability the chance to participate in the Special Olympics Active Start program. The money raised at the gala brought motionball’s total raised to date to over $11 million net.

Hosted by etalk’s Chloe Wilde and Entertainment City’s Devo Brown, the sold-out event featured 8 live entertainment acts across two grand ballrooms, with specialty cocktails courtesy of presenting sponsor Grand Marnier and food stations from Pita Pit and Prairie Girl Bakery, a luxury silent auction, and most importantly a chance for supporters to meet the beneficiaries of their donations, the Special Olympics athletes.