The 22nd annual Child Haven Fundraising Dinner takes place at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre on Friday, Oct. 20.
This fundraiser features a delicious vegetarian meal where people can savour the flavours of India with the cooking skills of chef Rikhi Datt.
Listen to the sounds of Kumbana Marimba, and other local entertainers, browse the Indian marketplace and meet humanitarians Bonnie and Fred Cappuccino, founders of Child Haven.
Together, they’ve helped some of the poorest children of the world during a journey that now spans over 60 years of marriage and an adopted family of 21 children.
Child Haven International is a non-profit Canadian charity that has a total of nine homes located in India, Nepal, Tibet and Bangladesh and relies solely on private donations without any corporate or government funding.
Child Haven is based on the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi which does not recognize caste (social standing), promotes equality of the sexes, non-violence, vegetarian meals, respect for cultural/religious background and simple living.
In addition to nurturing more than a thousand destitute children that become highly functioning members of their communities, Child Haven also actively fosters a deep sense of community right across the country. Each year, hundreds of volunteers in cities stretching from Victoria to Halifax put on fundraisers just like the one coming up in Parksville to raise money for Child Haven’s overseas kids.
Many more adventurous people, young and old, bring back to Canada their stories of volunteering at Child Haven homes as interns. Still others donate professional services such as the design and marketing of media materials, donating air miles, and a long list of other in-kind contributions to ensure that all of the money raised goes directly to the children.
The Child Haven fundraising dinner takes place Friday, Oct. 20 at Parksville Community and Conference Centre, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for kids ages 12 and under. Tickets are available at Amrikko’s Grill and Fireside Books in Parksville, and Arbutus Fashions in Qualicum Beach. Tickets can also be purchased online. For more information, go to childhaven.ca.
For full table reservations, please call 250-752-0968.
— Submitted by Cilla Lewenhaupt