Toronto – To paraphrase Beyonce, single ladies: put a bid on it! Toronto Argonauts nose tackle Adriano Belli is so committed to raising money for SickKids Foundation, he is even willing to sell himself and his friends. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Belli has organized a dinner on Wednesday, February 11 at Trane Studio in downtown Toronto where ladies can bid to have a romantic dinner that night with various CFL players and sports figures in a special silent auction.
Those up for bid include Toronto Argonauts Adriano Belli, OT Jerome Davis, LB Kevin Eiben, RB Jeff Johnson, LB Richard Seigler and DB Jason Shivers. Joining the Argos in this unique fundraiser are former Bachelor and CTV/TSN personality Jesse Palmer, Hamilton Tiger-Cats RB Jesse Lumsden, Canadian Football Hall of Famer and TSN panelist Matt Dunigan, CFL on TSN host Dave Randorf and TSN reporter James Cybulski, as well as other special guests.
Commented Belli, “I’m looking forward to seeing the ladies of Toronto come out and help us raise money for the Big Kiss Fund. We got a bunch of good looking and sexy young men to bid on and I’m curious to see which of the gentlemen can get the highest bid. But unlike Palmer on The Bachelor, for this event, every lady gets a rose.”
The evening will feature a 3-course dinner and the music of the Norman Marshall Villeneuve Jazz Quartet. With enough incentive, there is no doubt that Adriano himself may take to the stage. Here are the details of this special event:
EVENT: Big Kiss Valentine’s Dinner
DATE: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
LOCATION: Trane Studio Jazz Lounge
964 Bathurst St. (north of Bloor)
Toronto, Ontario
DOORS: 6:30 p.m.
COST: $20 cover charge (includes glass of wine and a rose) OR
$50 dinner charge (includes 3 course dinner, a glass of wine and a rose)
Net proceeds to benefit SickKids Foundation
ABOUT THE BIG KISS FUND
The Big Kiss Fund was created by Adriano Belli in an effort to support SickKids Foundation to enrich the lives of sick kids in a variety of ways. Nicknamed the ‘Kissing Bandit’, Belli endeavours to enlist the assistance of not only his fellow teammates, but other local professional athletes, so that kids have an opportunity to meet and interact with their sports role models. Belli approaches companies to make donations to SickKids Foundation for every sack or tackle he makes during the season. As well, Belli arranges for patients and their families to attend every Argos home game. Belli committed fully to his cause by singing a classic rendition of the national anthem at the Argos SickKids Game Day on October 3, 2008. The gregarious defensive tackle also auditioned for the 2008 version of CTV’s Canadian Idol. For his efforts, Canadian Idol made a donation in Belli’s honour to SickKids Foundation. Donations can be made at www.sickkidsfoundation.com/fundraise and clicking on Adriano’s Big Kiss Fund.