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Fundraising events News

Giant Garage sale raises $1,900!

On July 6, our Giant Gordon Head Garage Sale raised $1900 selling used goods and delightful snacks!

Three Gherkins hosted the event on Granada Cr., and five neighbours joined in with their own sale to make it an massive event and much bigger draw to the garage sale crowd.

We probably had the best snack sales of any neighbourhood sale — with Syrian treats provided by Hanaa and Mahmoud, Chinese noodles from Linda, and cookies for those with a sweet tooth!

Here are some photos from a busy, exhausting and exciting day (plus one from the day before!)

 

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Fundraising events News

Up next… Music bingo!

Not only did the Fernwood Inn donate an auction item to our Syrian Dinner event … they also offered to help us with our next event … music bingo!

We have limited tickets and fabulous prizes, this event will be a great casual night out

When is this amazing fun event, you ask? Wed, 24 April 2019 from 7:30 to 9:30 PM PDT

Oh, and did I mention fabulous prizes? Yes I did!

Put your music knowledge to work to win a Grand prize of a night of stargazing at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. Hum along with the tunes while compete to win restaurant gift certificates, designer jewelry, yoga classes, and movie passes.

Tickets are now available online, so grab your friends and join us April 24 at Fernwood Inn!

 

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Fundraising events News

Fundraising update…

Thanks to you — our supporters, volunteers and donors — our March 8 Syrian dinner has raised $6900!!!

We met our goal for this event by eliminating travel debt for the family we have been supporting this year, and making a great start in raising funds to sponsor a third family.

Not only was the event successful, it was enormous fun! Here are some photos of our wonderful volunteers, setting up, serving the delicious Syrian food (cooked by volunteers!), and a shot of the auction table with all the wonderful donated items.

 

 

 

 

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Fundraising events News

Thanks to our auction donors!

These greater Victoria businesses have really come through to support our SOLD OUT Syrian Dinner fundraiser on March 8.

The dinner features a Silent Auction and here are some of the donations we have received:

We have a weekend get away at the luxurious Delta Ocean Point Hotel, use of the VIP Corner  Suite for you and 20 guests at a basket ball game night nest year thanks to UVIC’s Vikes Athletics and Recreation (UVIC), a night stay for two at the beautiful Chateau Victoria, Yoga in your home, personal training sessions with Daniel Bednarski at Sweat Athletics paired with passes donated by Quadra Sports & Fitness,  Belleville’s restaurant, Fernwood Inn, Fernwood Pizza, a gift certificate from Oak Bay Seafood, a class with bon macaron, a personal tour of the HMCS Vancouver naval vessel, hand made jewelry and books!

Just look at these beautiful auction items, including a unique carved wooden box, an artistic glass bowl, a large silver bowl from Bungalow, jewelry from Mimi + Marge, and the perfect book for our event from Munro’s:

Don’t miss out, (for the auction, bring your cheque book or cash as we can’t take any plastic!)

Tickets, on the other hand, are for sale online and are $30.

 

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Fundraising events News

Syrian dinner upate: tickets selling fast, silent auction update

Tickets for the Syrian dinner on March 8 are now on sale on Eventbrite… and they are going fast. As of this moment we have sold more than half our tickets.

But wait… there’s more!

Businesses in this town are extremely generous … our silent auction donations are already looking tempting. We have a weekend get away at the luxurious Delta Ocean Point Hotel, a night stay for two at the beautiful Chateau Victoria, Yoga in your home, personal training sessions with Daniel Bednarski at Sweat Athletics, gift certificates for movies, Belleville’s restaurant, and spas, a gift certificate from Oak Bay Seafood, a class with bon macaron, a personal tour of the HMCS Vancouver naval vessel, hand made jewelry and books!

Just look at these beautiful auction items, including a unique carved wooden box, an artistic glass bowl, a large silver bowl from Bungalow, jewelry from Mimi + Marge, and the perfect book for our event from Munro’s:

Don’t miss out, (for the auction, bring your cheque book or cash as we can’t take any plastic!)

Tickets, on the other hand, are for sale online and are $30.

 

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Fundraising events News

Come and enjoy a Syrian meal and help refugees

The Gherkins are hosting another Syrian dinner fundraiser to support refugee families in Victoria, BC.

When: Friday March 8, 6:30-9:30 PM

Where: Christ Church Cathedral School, 912 Vancouver St – Entrance at the Back of the School

Come and enjoy:

  • Amazing food (lots of vegetarian options) prepared by the local Syrian community
  • A Silent Auction including: wine, chocolate, movie tickets
  • Music, and much much more….

$30 per person for the food and entertainment,
Wine, juice and pop available for purchase at the event

Tickets on sale soon!

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Fundraising events News

A second family sponsorship … and a fundraiser to help them

The Gherkins are thrilled to announce we are expecting a second family to arrive in Victoria in a few weeks! They are also originally from Syria, and we just received confirmation that their flights are booked. Thanks to your generosity, we have a good start on our supplies and funds … but we do need to raise more to support them in their first year in Victoria.

One way you can help is by coming to our Traditional Syrian Dinner fundraiser on March 9. If you haven’t had the chance to taste Syrian food before, we promise you are in for a treat!
Our Syrian Dinner is SOLD OUT!. Thank-you all for your support!

Volunteers from Victoria’s Syrian community are cooking for the event, and there will be door prizes and lots of fun. Tickets are $22 and available through Eventbrite here.

Hope to see you there!

 

 

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Donations needed News

One year in…

It’s been almost a year since the family the Gherkins have sponsored arrived. It’s been a thrill to be part of their experience joining our community.

As we moved through the year in Canada together–although really our relationship started much earlier than the family’s arrival last December–we began a long journey from sponsorship to friendship. It is a rewarding but daunting process to make this transition.

We have learned a lot from this family, and from this process. After consideration, we have decided as a group to sponsor another family, who also happen to be from Syria.

This sponsorship will be slightly different; there are family members in town who are working with us. We also have the advantage that we already have much of the furniture needed–thanks to your generosity, and the help of St. Dunstan’s Church in keeping it stored safe and dry in anticipation of their arrival.

We will still need funds, however, and we hope you will help. If you would like to continue your support of our work sponsoring refugees in Gordon Head, please visit our donation page for information about sending a cheque, or our online donation portal, where you can donate once or set up a monthly donation.

 

 

 

 

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News

Big news

The gherkins have big news! The family we are sponsoring has now arrived!

Most of the gherkins group was able to meet them at the airport, even though the arrival was delayed until late in the night. It was wonderful to finally see their big smiles in person!

Thanks to the generosity of so many people, the family is settled into a furnished home, with all their basics provided for–from furniture, to kitchen supplies, to clothing and toys. Volunteers spent several days setting up the house so the family would find it welcoming and ready for their arrival. And many people donated quilts and beautiful supplies for the brand new baby, born shortly before the family departed for Canada!

Now begins the process of learning about a new home in Canada! And about snow.

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News

What’s ours is yours: free furniture for refugees

The Gherkins have some furniture left over from our successful donation days, and we wish to offer it to other refugee sponsoring groups who may need some furnishings still.

These are good pieces, used but use able, and are left over due to the fact we received duplicates of several items.

Check out the Catalog of Items to see images of many of the larger pieces.

So, if your group is in need of a couch, easy chair, set of dining chairs, chest of drawers, shelving unit, or some items for the kitchen, please stop by. Items are offered on a first-come, first served bases. Bring your own truck if you are looking for a larger item!

Date: April 2, 2016

Time: 1-3 pm,

Location: St. Dunstan’s Church Annex, 1806 San Juan Ave, Victoria (in Gordon Head)

 

More information please contact: info@ghrscg.org