AMAR Karma’s annual Give A Heart event is taking place on the evening of February 1 at Speranza Banquet Hall in Brampton. Organized solely by a group of volunteers, the annual Give A Heart gala is a Valentine’s Day celebration with a unique perspective.
In its tenth year, Give A Heart is an annual gala that began in 2011 when a group of youth decided that they wanted to display a more meaningful take on how they celebrated Valentine’s Day. On the first gala that took place in 2011 at Shingar Banquet Hall in Brampton, a group that was turning 16 proudly announced on stage that they had signed up to become registered organ and tissue donors. The legacy still continues each year and the segment is called Special Sixteen. Messages of expressing love towards others are portrayed in the most entertaining ways in segments such as ‘1-Min Advocate Challenge’ where youth choose a topic to depict in an amusing way they choose.
At the gala, besides dinner and dancing, couples mark this day by pledging to become donors. The youth in attendance share their stories and commit to spreading love all year. They may choose to participate by growing their hair, donating blood or advocating for one of the simplest gestures – expressing love towards others. The gala has had more than 300 guests each year, mostly families. The event is organized each year by over 70 volunteers and has received recognition from all levels of government and notable community leaders.
The theme of this year’s event is The Simplest Expressions of Love. Nine youngsters from the team have planned creatives with unique messages.
The annual Valentine’s event Give A Heart includes salsa and Bollywood dancing, henna tattoos, raffles, and awards. This year, Give A Heart will be taking place on the evening of February 1 at Speranza Banquet Hall.
WHAT: Amar Karma’s 10th annual Give A Heart Gala
WHEN: February 1, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. onwards
WHERE: Speranza Banquet Hall, 510 Deerhurst Drive, Brampton, ON L6T 5H9