Combining local Indian food and an online event, the Vancouver Island chapters of Child Haven International are going digital for their spring fundraiser.
Child Haven assists children and women in developing countries who are in need of food, education, health care, shelter and clothing, emotional and moral support. The organization has five homes in India, one in Nepal, one in Tibet and one in Bangladesh that supports children who are disabled, parentless or from socially disadvantaged situations.
In the fall, the Comox Valley chapter organizer Heather Holm helped create a takeaway dinner, where a pre-purchased vegetarian Indian dinner was distributed in a socially-distanced manner at the Courtenay Legion.
For their spring fundraiser, Holm noted Manviros Indian Grill at 450 Ryan Road is doing a special takeout meal for $15. The meal is available for pick up (before 2:30 p.m. or after 4:30 p.m.) or delivery (with an extra fee) and must be ordered by April 1 by calling 250-338-2181.
The meal is set for April 3, which is part of their overall Zoom fundraiser for the 35th anniversary of Child Haven International.
“This is totally new (hosting an event with the Victoria and Qualicum chapters). The Zoom part is going to be managed from the office in Ontario, and each chapter will have about 10 minutes to do a short presentation,” she said.
The online event is set from 3:45 to 6 p.m., and will include interviews with Island supporters about their Child Haven experiences, local musical entertainment, live and taped performances of children from the organization, a review of Child Haven homes and a visit with Bonnie and Fred Cappuccino, the founders of Child Haven.
The Cappuccinos started the organization in 1985; operating funds for the homes are garnered by the dinners. Since then, they’ve been awarded the Order of Canada, the UNESCO Prize for Teaching of Human Rights and the Canada Volunteer Award. Supporters include Margaret Atwood, Dr. Gary Geddes, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and even V. Kalyanam, former secretary to Mahatma Gandhi. All the funds raised by Child Haven dinners across Canada go to helping the children in the homes.
While the fall event raised more than $4,200 locally, Holm noted there is no specific fundraising goal in mind.
For more information on the event, email cheryl@childhaven.ca and to participate in the Zoom event, visit zoom.us/j/99443724334.