The November 8th Ukrainian Evening was a roaring success. We welcomed 178 guest to dine on a Ukrainian themed dinner prepared by Kelly Bannister Catering. The roast pork for the scrumptious dinner was provided by Picton Foodland. The dessert course was augmented by homemade blintzes form the Ukrainian families that were guests of the Rotary Club of Picton for this event.
A Great Evening Raises over $39,000 for Relief Support to Ukraine
The night opened with welcome addresses by Barb Proctor, Club President and, via Zoom, Yulia Kovaliv, Ukraine Ambassador to Canada. This followed by the singing of the Ukrainian and Canadian national anthems.
The patrons were treated to live Ukrainian music by Inna Leshchuk, a recent refugee arrival to Canada, and her daughter Angelina. Inna is a Senior Voice Teacher and Vocal Coach, Faculty of Musical Arts, Kyiv Municipal Academy of Variety and Circus Arts, Ukraine and a soloist with the Orchestra of the Ukraine Armed Forces vocal coach and vocalist with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Thanks to our many sponsors, the silent auction raised over $8000. Items included a snowblower and cooler set from Picton Home Hardware, 20 assorted wine baskets for the All Canadian Wine Championships, a high end road bike from Doug's Bicycles, a night's stay and breakfast from the Royal Hotel, paintings from Sue Chambers and gift baskets from Agrarian Market and Rosalind &Don Leslie.
Funds raised by dinner ticket purchases, donations and cash sponsors (BMO Nesbitt Burns, The Rotary Club of Campbellford, Tim Horton"s Picton and Wellington, Elizabeth Crombie Real Estate Team, RR Bird IT Consulting, Richard Byers, Women, Worth and Wellness, Prinzen Ford Sales Bloomfield, Don Wakefield, Sandi & Jim Macgregor, Welch LLP, and Whisky Angels) added $18,500 to our overall total.
A special thank you to Don Chambers for your exceptional generous donation.
Our raffle for an assortment of Stillus liquors and crystal decanter raised $860. Gord Snee took home the prizes.
The Rotary Club of Picton was humbled by the generosity of our community and the enthusiasm they brought to the event. Coupled with our fundraising activities earlier this year, our goal of $100,000 has been exceeded. We could not have done this without you.