Crystal Ball Gala

Mentorships: Enriching, Inspiring, Empowering
Crystal Ball Gala BallroomThe Crystal Ball Gala is a star-studded event designed to spotlight the many talents of students within the Limestone District School Board while raising funds for the Foundation. These black-tie evenings were held from 2011-2015.

The 2015 Crystal Ball offered 62 students from 20 different schools mentorships with 45 accomplished professionals: life-enriching experiences in the fields of Music, Visual Arts, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Jewelry Design, Set Design, Journalism, Web, TV and Radio Broadcasting, Architectural Design and Construction. The gala was held October 24, 2015 at the Rogers K-Rock Centre, and for the first-time, an encore presentation of the musical mentorships was performed at Stages Nightclub the following day.

The 2015 Crystal Ball raised $170,000 for future learning opportunities funded by the Limestone Learning Foundation. An unprecedented $68,000 achieved from the evening’s spontaneous Gala Giving along with $102,000 raised through the event itself. The $68,000 pledged through Gala Giving will establish the Tyler Ellison Memorial Fund. Tyler was a Crystal Ball Visual Arts mentee in 2013, and sadly passed away this Fall from cancer. This memorial fund will honour his courage and talent by supporting LLF projects in the general area of the Arts.

In its inaugural year of 2011, The Crystal Ball brought together a sold-out crowd of 700 people to the first event of its kind at the Rogers/K-ROCK Centre.  With the Rogers/K-ROCK Centre completely transformed by cutting-edge décor, guests were completely in awe as they dined on a four course meal, and watched an evening of first class entertainment on the main stage. The 2011 event raised over $110,000 for the Limestone Learning Foundation. In 2013, a capacity audience of 750 witnessed the ability of more students and mentors unleash their passion for the Arts in a number of disciplines - vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, culinary, photography, media production and design. The 2013 Crystal Ball Gala raised a record-breaking $150,000 for future learning opportunities funded by the Limestone Learning Foundation. Of the $150,000 raised, a stunning $57,000 was pledged that night during the first-ever gala giving opportunity. The $57,000 established a new Arts Endowment Fund.