Ten thousand Swarovski crystals dazzle Toronto’s famed shopping centre.

Wishes can come true. This was the message for the holiday season as Toronto’s Eaton Centre unveiled its sparkling 35-foot Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree with a special mission: to raise funds for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

That mission was renewed with joy and elegance on Thursday with a ceremony that included award-winning singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk and hosts Cheryl Hickey and Roz Weston from Entertainment Tonight Canada. Notable blues and opera artists also performed.

But even with all the glitz and glamour of a VIP event, it was the children waiting to make a holiday wish that took centre stage.

“They may be young and they may be small, but these children are absolute pillars of strength and bravery that all of us can draw inspiration from”, said Deane Collinson, with Cadillac Fairview, owners of Eaton Centre

Brittany Brennan, a young girl whose wish of going to Disney world was granted last May by the foundation, had the honour of unveiling the tree. She was joined by a special guest, Santa Claus, who brought along a huge Swarovski diamond for the occasion. When Brittany pressed the diamond, the curtains hiding the tree lifted to reveal a giant tree towering over the mall—sparkling magically with thousands of crystals and a special 7000 crystal tree topper.

This was a particularly special moment for Brittany’s father Patrick who joined her on stage. He said that what he appreciated most was the opportunity to forget the hardships Brittany has faced in the past 6 years. Brittany suffers from a rare type of tumour of the gastrointestinal tract and is the only pediatric case in Canada.

But for the young girl, it was sharing the stage with Chantal Kreviazuk that was most special.

“You are the inspiration for all of us here”, said Kreviazuk who dedicated her song All I Can Do to her.

Now in its 4^th year, the Toronto Eaton Centre’s partnership with Swarovski has raised more than $300,000 and has granted the wishes of 36 children. This year’s goal is to help 12 more children fulfill their wishes. Since its establishment more than two decades ago, the Children’s Wish Foundation has helped more than 15,000 children with high-risk illnesses make their wishes come true.

Over the next four weeks, every Saturday morning at 10 am, children will have the opportunity to create their own personalized Swarovski ornaments as part of the Sawarovski Stars for Wishes Workshops. With celebrity hosts Caillou, Barbie, Little Bear and Mrs. Clause, children and parents can get a $20 Children’s Wish crystal ornament kit to help children fulfill their special wish. People will also have the opportunity to buy special $50 Wish Crystal ornaments at Swarovski’s locations across Canada. Proceeds go to the Children’s Wish Foundation.