This celebration of GuluWalk, a worldwide movement in support of peace and the children of northern Uganda, raised over $60,000 this year! Click here (coming soon) to view the 2008 GuluWalk Gala Program.

The 2008 event took place on Thursday, March 27, at the historic Roundhouse at the Steam Whistle Brewery in downtown Toronto, and included an evening of fine food, great entertainment and an extensive silent and live auction. Scroll down for more information.

Host: Martine Gaillard, Sportsnet

Martine Gaillard is one of Canada's most recognized on-air sports reporters and is currently the co-anchor of the evening edition of Sportsnet Connected. Martine grew up in Saskatchewan, ventured to Toronto to attend Ryerson University, and started her journalism career with the Weather Network. Martine then moved on to work as the game host for Toronto Maple Leafs broadcasts, before joining The Score as their first-ever female anchor. Before taking her current post with Sportsnet, Martine was also part of the Hockey Night in Canada team and worked rinkside alongside CBC hockey anchor Ron MacLean.


Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Gerry Caplan, Writer/African Development Expert

Dr. Gerry Caplan is a leading Canadian authority on genocide and genocide prevention, and he continues to provide globally recognized public commentary on African and third world development issues. Dr. Caplan, who has a Ph.D. in African history from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, is a senior consultant for the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa and has just completed a report for the Africa Union and UNICEF on The State of Africa's Children. Dr. Caplan is co-author of the 300-page report Rwanda: The Preventable Genocide, and in 2008, Dr. Caplan joins his long-time colleague Stephen Lewis in the new NGO they are launching called AIDS-Free World, where he will be a full-time Senior Political Advisor.


Musical Guests: Afrafranto

Afrafranto is led by vocalist Theo Yaw Boakye and master guitarist Pa Joe, both from Ghana. Aside from recent success as members of the Juno Award winning African Guitar Summit supergroup, they also boast a long lineage within the African music community in Toronto - Theo as the bandleader of Nakupenda, which performed at the very first Afrofest almost 20 years ago, and Pa as lead guitarist for the local legend, the AfroNubians of the 1990's. The Ghanaian style of music in which these veterans excel is Palm Wine music, a West Africa genre that evolved when Portuguese guitars were introduced by sailors, and local melodies and rhythms were combined with Trinidadian calypso. Afrafranto serenades stripped-down and unplugged during the reception. To close the event, the full ensemble of five invites everyone to dance the night away.



AUCTION ITEMS:

Here's a taste of the great items and 'experiences' that were up for auction at the 2008 GuluWalk Gala.

- Signed Wayne Gretzky vintage Edmonton Oilers jersey

- Mike Weir signed and framed front page of the Augusta Chronicle, the day after he won The Masters

- Steve Nash's personal, specially-made shoes (not available in stores) signed by all of the 2008 NBA Western Conference All-Stars

- Three-day Quebec City Hockey Getaway which includes two tickets to the World Hockey Championship semi-finals and finals, return Toronto to Quebec City VIA 1 train tickets and accomodation

- Seven day waterfront cottage getaway in the Haliburton Highlands (sleeps nine)

- Avril Lavigne concert tickets and exlcusive access to the pre-show sound check, with an opportunity to meet Avril

- Full week pass for two people for the 2008 RBC Canadian Golf Open

- Signed jersey from two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash

- Signed Chelsea Football Club jersey

- Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto FC & Toronto Argos tickets & signed gear

- Team Canada jersey signed by the entire men's national soccer team

- Rogers Cup Tennis Tickets

- Photography from Uganda by Colin O'Connor & Lara Rosenoff

There will also be artwork, restaurant gift certicates, golf packages, MAC cosmetics and so much more.

Keep checking back as our list continues to grow!

THE 2008 GULUWALK GALA WAS PRESENTED BY:




EVENT SPONSORS:

I.T. Xchange --- Elementary Teacher's of Toronto --- ROI Capital

WHERE'S THE MONEY GOING?

The net proceeds from this event will go to GuluWalk, which is committed to making a difference in the lives of children in northern Uganda. Since it's inception in 2005, GuluWalk has raised over $1-million to provide primary school education, training, scholarships and youth peacebuilding opportunities for a generation being left behind. GuluWalk is committed to delivering 75 percent of our funds to children's programs in northern Uganda, with the additional 25 percent going to our continuing awareness and education initiatives to build better global citizens at home. Click here for more information on all of the GuluWalk programs in northern Uganda.



WHAT IS GULUWALK?

GuluWalk, an international campaign of Athletes for Africa, started as an attempt by two people to better understand the ordeal of the children of northern Uganda, and it has now grown into an impassioned worldwide movement for peace. Click here to learn more about how it all began and what GuluWalk has accomplished in less than three years.