The community has stepped up in a big way this year for a Kenyan orphanage founded by 23-year-old Jacqueline Villeneuve.
A Night in Africa is a fundraiser that brings in a huge portion of the operating budget for the Zawadi la Tumaini Children's Home, in Kenya.
This Saturday, April 1 will mark the fifth year that Villeneuve has put on the event that features traditional African cuisine, entertainment and decor at the Cambrian College Student Centre. Last year's event brought in $38,000 through corporate sponsorships and ticket sales, as well as silent auctions the night of the event.
The 2017 edition of A Night in Africa is already sold out with 270 confirmed guests, and the sponsors from around the city have stepped up huge this year.
"We have already surpassed $33,000 raised through our corporate sponsors this year," said Villeneuve. "Our goal was to raise $40,000 but I'm guessing that we will go over $45,000."
Funds raised through the event will provide children at the Zawadi la Tumaini Children's Home with two full terms of schooling and everything that comes with it. The two terms last for six months combined and will fund the facility through the remainder of this school year and the first term of next school year.
"This money allows us to employ women who serve as mothers to these children, we can provide a nutritious diet for the kids as well," said Villeneuve.
"This funding ensures that they're all well-fed and that they have medical coverage and are looked after."
Zawadi la Tumaini currently cares for children aged three to 19. The older children board at high schools, and only come back to the orphanage for school holidays.
The support of corporate sponsors is something that Villeneuve says she's extremely grateful for, and those stepping up are a mix of long-time supporters as well as some brand new ones.
"One of our platinum sponsors, Technica Mining, has been with us from the very start and they've been incredibly supportive," said Villeneuve. "New this year we have another platinum sponsor, the Chelmsford Dental Clinic. Dr. Grebe is from South Africa and when I approached him about sponsorship he was on board right away."
The event will run from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. with a dance to follow until 2 a.m.
There will be a number of items to bid on in the silent auction for those in attendance.
"I'm just really thankful for all the support we've received over the last five years," said Villeneuve. "It really does take a village to raise these kids, and Sudbury as a community has been amazing in their support."
This year's corporate sponsors include:
- Platinum Sponsors - Technica Mining, Chelmsford Dental Clinic
- Gold Sponsor - BESTECH
- Silver Sponsors - Skin MediSpa, Vitto Brand Foods
- Bronze Sponsors - Villeneuve Financial Consulting, Greg Macdonald Equipment, Bridgeforce, and Fidelity Investments.
