On Saturday, November 26th - East Coast Connected (ECC) and presenting sponsor Alexander Keith's hosted 125+ people at the John Labatt Room Pub in downtown Toronto. Founded in 2007, East Coast Connected believes that Atlantic Canadians who have moved away are still, at heart, Atlantic Canadians. More than that, we believe that they are still a valuable resource for their home provinces - whether you're talking about investment opportunities or fundraising for your former local charity, this diverse group of people is full of passion and goodwill.

In all, ECC raised $7,500 for the Baddeck Lions Club in Cape Breton, NS. As a critical part of the Baddeck region support structure, they have operated a local island boat for 60 years, providing swimming lessons and a supervised beach program every summer. Every year they also do a party for seniors with gifts, food and song. They have a Christmas wish program that provides 70 needy children with presents and provide 20 needy families with Christmas dinners. They run the local Terry Fox run and buy necessary equipment for some suffering folks in the community. They sponsor kids to go to camp when they don't have resources themselves and have a ramp program for the elderly.

ECC got great support from Jim & Linda Gourlay from Saltscapes, Scott MacAulay from Cape Breton Resorts and Rebecca Evans from Labatt's.

Hills Salah LLP, Wind Mobile, Clearwater Fine Foods, Scallywags, Cape Breton Resorts, Rodds Hotels and Resorts, White Point Beach Resort, Nova Scotia Crystal, Grace O'Malley's, the Irish Embassy, the Fox and Firkin, McSorley's Sports Bar, Bier Bistro, the University of Toronto, Coquine Restaurant, Gabadrine Restaurant and ECC Board Member Sarah Gilroy all supported the Silent Auction.

ECC's existing Corporate partners include Innovacorp, McInnes Cooper, the Insurance Bureau of Canada and Alexander Keith's.

To see more photos of the event, please visit our Facebook page. For more information about ECC, contact us.