Watching the evening news it can often seem the strife and suffering of international conflict zones is worlds away from the relative peace of Muskoka.
Nonetheless, there are those living right here in our communities who have escaped these war-torn areas for a shot at a better life.
On March 27, the Rotary Club of Bracebridge is planning a fundraising dinner to help support a Syrian family to build a new life in Bracebridge, and to help Ukrainian children deal with the physical and emotional trauma of war.
“The Rotary Club of Bracebridge adheres to Rotary International’s important main focus on peace and conflict prevention and resolution in all that we do,” says Linda Brouillette of the Bracebridge Rotary Club. “The Rotary International presidential theme for this year is ‘Create Hope in the World’. Our club’s peace initiatives sub-committee is proud to be fulfilling one of its stated goals of holding a peace-building project in partnership with students and staff at a local high school.”
Guests attending the dinner, which will be held in the Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School (BMLSS) cafeteria, will be treated to traditional Syrian and Ukrainian foods prepared by the BMLSS culinary class. Leading up to the event the students will learn how to prepare these Syrian and Ukrainian dishes from local Syrian Chef, Berivan Alali of Flavours of Soul and Chef Aleksandr Soloviov, a newcomer from Parry Sound who fled the war in Ukraine.
The BMLSS student band has planned an arrangement of peace-themed music to play for guests as they enjoy their culinary world tour.
After dinner, Brouilette will discuss local stories of hope under the Rotary Cares program.
That will be followed by guest speaker Katie Fettes, a Rotary Global Grant Scholar, who focuses on conflict, security and development. She will share a hopeful message that is grounded in the realities of insecurity and conflict today, acknowledges the moment, and encourages action from citizens in small and big ways.
The dinner runs March 27, 2024, from 5:30 – 9 pm and costs $75. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/507864f6-4c41-4da9-98fe-e47b2747a483
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