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Mid-week Luncheon yields ‘out of this world’ results for Ukraine relief fund

Cowichan Lake 50+ Activity Centre fills the house for fundraiser
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‘Would you like some sauerkraut and sour cream with that?’ Perogies, Cabbage Rolls, and Bratwurst were served at the Cowichan Lake 50+ Activity Centre during their April 7 Ukraine Relief Fund luncheon. (Sarah Simpson/Gazette)

When the folks at the Lake Cowichan 50+ activity Centre put out the call to raise money for the Victoria Ukrainian Society’s Ukrainian Relief Fund, Lakers and their friends answered with great gusto.

It didn’t take long for news to get around that the Centre would be serving hosting an April 7 noon luncheon featuring perogies, cabbage rolls, bratwurst, sauerkraut, sweets, and more for just $12 a pop and before organizers knew it, the event was at full capacity.

“We had to turn people away because we’re only allowed 125 people in the hall and that’s what we had today,” said a glowing Janene Hall of the 50+ Activity Centre.

After some welcoming remarks from her husband, Al Hall, the Centre’s president, the event continued with an emotional performance of ‘Hallelujah’ by a woman Hall knew to be named Joanne.

“She did a phenomenal job,” Hall noted. “And then we all stood up for the Ukraine national anthem sung in Ukrainian. I can tell you that when the national anthem was on there weren’t many dry eyes in the building.”

A group of four Duncan women of Ukrainian descent were invited to the meal and they brought with them a presentation for the group as well as many special Ukrainian sweets for dessert.

Hall said much of the food was donated by Freybe Gourmet Foods, Duncan Butchers, and Country Grocer and she and the other volunteers at the Centre were grateful for their support of the event.

All told, fundraising totalled roughly $3,300.

“I never in a million years thought it would do as well as it turned out to be — not for a small community like this,” said Hall. “It was absolutely out of this world. I was ecstatic.”



sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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