Last week in Toronto’s Distillery District we attended Drawn to Develop, a gala fundraiser that benefits Street Kids International, a non-profit agency based in Canada and the UK, leading the way in helping youth develop business skills and health knowledge through innovative and interactive training and tools.

The evening featured original prints created by celebrated Canadian photographers, inspired by the drawings and stories of street youth from around the world. The prints were up for silent auction, and I wish I could have bid on almost everything. As an art lover who is keenly interested in photography, I was so happy to see that these original works created for the event were done so with so much unique thought, and true intention.

The Fermenting Cellar was packed, and the crowd was incredibly good-looking (I think I may have gone catatonic for at least twenty minutes realizing all of Toronto’s hottest guys were all in one room). The dudes from The Stills were spinning the music while lots of fresh and familiar TO faces were enjoying Steamwhistle and talking photography.

After spending some very delicious time at the poutine buffet and sushi bar, I chatted with Lindsay Ames, actress/comedian/artist (multi talented babe) who acted as emcee of the evening, “I was so excited to work with such passionate people over such a worthwhile cause. When you read the stories of the Street Survivors, it is so heartbreaking – but it’s also so amazing to see how they inspired photographers to create such powerful and original pieces.” Lindsay did a great job of hosting the event.

The evening was truly lovely. From the passion of the event planners, and the generosity between the artists, sponsors and attendees – Drawn to Develop is really a great example of how artistic, non-profit, and corporate organizations can all lean on one another to create wonderful and progressive happenings.

If you want to learn more about Drawn to Develop, or the artists and organizations involved please goto: http://www.drawntodevelop.com/