The Mission Zimbabwe Project’s Harvest Dinner and Auction was held on Saturday, November 2nd at Cedar Rail Camp near Chesley where 220 people attended raising more than $22,000 to support the Village of Hope and Vimbainesu Children’s Home in Zimbabwe.
“Through the generous support of the people who attended, this amount is by far the most funds that Mission Zimbabwe has ever raised through this event,” said organizers.
During the evening, a “love offering” was collected for the Mission Zimbabwe Education Fund. “Since 2007, when the Mission Zimbabwe team first went to the Village of Hope, we have had the privilege of watching the children grow up to be young adults. These children have been able to go to school because of sponsorship through Child Care Plus and they are now ready to go onto university or to a technical college. Without support through the education fund, the families of these students who have done well on their high school exams, would not be able to afford post secondary education.
The education fund will help support these students who are the future of Zimbabwe. Due to the spirit of generosity of the people, special donations of $3,800 were received that will finance the university education of several graduates from the Village of Hope.”
The evening included a roast beef buffet dinner, spirited bidding on 260 silent auction items, and a fun-filled live auction presided over by Arran-Elderslie Deputy Mayor, Mark Davis. More than forty volunteers worked to make this evening a success.
The Mission Zimbabwe Project wishes to especially thank Jonathon and Joan Nelson and their daughter Jessica from Lucknow and their dinner crew who prepared and served a wonderful harvest meal of roast beef, turnip, beets, carrots, coleslaw and mashed potatoes topped off with home-made pies donated by the local Amish community. A special thank you to the young Amish ladies who volunteered to help serve the meal and clean up afterwards. Also thanks to the guest auctioneer, Mark Davis, guest MC, John Divinski and sound and video technician, Bruce Graham for providing the excellent technical support for the evening. A heartfelt thank you is also extended to the many donors who supplied the close to 300 items for the auction. Thank you to Rick and Laura Murray, the owners of Cedar Rail Camp for donating the Westwind Hall for the evening. The level of community support is quite simply amazing!
All proceeds from the evening will go to benefit the Village of Hope and Vimbainesu Childrens’ Home in Zimbabwe. The funds will be used to support the house mother and children in Dumisani house at the Village of Hope, and to support the children at Cornelius Hope Academy Primary School. As well, monthly financial support will be provided for Vimbainesu Children’s Home. During the evening, the guests were shown a video that featured the appreciation of several of the students who will benefit from the Mission Zimbabwe Education fund.
Mission Zimbabwe “Footprints of Hope” 2020 Calendars are now on sale for $5.00 and feature scenes of Mission Zimbabwe working together with our partners at the Village of Hope as well as the beautiful children of Zimbabwe. Calendars can be purchased by calling 519-270-4461.
The Mission Zimbabwe Project’s next event is the Valentine Concert at Victoria Jubilee Hall on Saturday, February 15th. Tickets go on sale December 1st and make great Christmas presents for family and friends.
For more information about the Mission Zimbabwe Project visit: www.missionzimbabwe.org
