Capturing moments from the March 3rd event 2024.
Capturing moments from the November 4th event 2023.
from left to right - Terence, Doug, Tysh, Sasha, Nancy MS.
From David - November 4th Fundraiser event.
From a plain and simple room at the Fernwood community centre, and out of Sasha's hope at bringing her brother and his family to Canada, you and your team at "Victoria Shows Love" lived up to the name.
The whole event came together seamlessly. The room was as full as to make it comfortable, the speaking parts and music were superbly coordinated, and Sasha's own testimony as to her experience as a new Canadian and her brother's family's desire to leave that refugee camp in Lebanon were soulfully eloquent. The food, silent auction, and the 50-50 draw punctuated the flow of the event just enough to create some space for everyone to talk, take a break from listening, and then enjoy the next musician.
I think my favourite moment was the Syrian couple, with the gentleman playing the stringed instrument and the woman singing beautifully in Arabic.
And last, the decorations transformed that space. They were not overdone, but the lights and the ribbons added colour and character to the room. Someone knew what they were doing with that design.
I hope you and your team were happy with the fundraising totals. I know with these events that a dollar figure goal can define "success." But whatever the monetary yield, there was undeniably a great deal of love in the room, as people came together to support a family who has fled from a vicious and seemingly endless war, and only want a safe place to live and raise their children. That's an act of solidarity, half-way across the world, that is really rather priceless.
Thanks for inviting us, and for all you do -- which, as ever, is so much.
David Black
The whole event came together seamlessly. The room was as full as to make it comfortable, the speaking parts and music were superbly coordinated, and Sasha's own testimony as to her experience as a new Canadian and her brother's family's desire to leave that refugee camp in Lebanon were soulfully eloquent. The food, silent auction, and the 50-50 draw punctuated the flow of the event just enough to create some space for everyone to talk, take a break from listening, and then enjoy the next musician.
I think my favourite moment was the Syrian couple, with the gentleman playing the stringed instrument and the woman singing beautifully in Arabic.
And last, the decorations transformed that space. They were not overdone, but the lights and the ribbons added colour and character to the room. Someone knew what they were doing with that design.
I hope you and your team were happy with the fundraising totals. I know with these events that a dollar figure goal can define "success." But whatever the monetary yield, there was undeniably a great deal of love in the room, as people came together to support a family who has fled from a vicious and seemingly endless war, and only want a safe place to live and raise their children. That's an act of solidarity, half-way across the world, that is really rather priceless.
Thanks for inviting us, and for all you do -- which, as ever, is so much.
David Black
From Hazel - November 4th Fundraiser event.
I completely concur with David’s reflections on the Saturday night event. Wonderful to be engaged with so many caring and supportive people especially at such a difficult time being faced by so many in the world at this time. The event was fabulous and definitely a success for all of those who worked so hard to bring this about. The entertainment, the food and Sasha’s own story helped connect everyone so meaningfully. Terence’s sharing of Kahlil Gibran’s beautiful poem on ‘Love’ was a perfect choice.
Hazel
Hazel
From Nathalie - November 4th Fundraiser event.
It is such an honour to be at the Victoria Shows Love fundraiser, beautiful food and auction items. Raising funds to assist Sasha to re-unite with her brother Alex in Lebanon.
Nathalie
Nathalie