For the past five years, PranaShanti has celebrated the Winter Solstice with a special fundraising event to help those in need in our community. This year, the event takes place on Friday December 20 from 7 pm to 9:30 pm and all the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Ottawa Food Bank. The Food Bank serves monthly 40,000 Ottawa residents, 40% of which are children, who are struggling with hunger.
The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year and one that is honoured by many as a sacred and rich time. Often it is thought as the dying of one year and the promise of a new beginning. Since ancient times, to counteract the season’s reminder of mortality, communities have come together at Winter Solstice to celebrate, have fun, and call back the Sun by gathering around a fire or setting out candles.
Along this theme, I have hired a professional cast of actors from Eddie May Mysteries to put on a hilarious interactive show filled with mystery, intrigue, laughter, and murder! There will be hot mulled apple cider and festive holiday desserts after the show.
And you won’t need a child sitter for the evening, because at the same time as the event, a separate Children’s Party for children 12 and under.
The cost of the event is $28 per person and $10.00 per child under 12 years of age who will be participating in the separate Children’s Party. Tickets can be purchased at the front reception. All the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Ottawa Food Bank.
I know it’s a busy time of year and some of you may not be available to come to the event or away, but I hope you will consider making a donation to the Food Bank anyway. We have a box set up in the lobby for your contributions. Besides non-perishable food items, the Food Bank also accepts old ink cartridges and cell phones, which they recycle and use the money to buy food. Or why not buy a ticket, or extra ticket, and give it to someone you love as a gift? As all the proceeds from the ticket sales go to the Ottawa Food Bank, you are giving two gifts in one!
Winter Solstice is a time associated with light – string lights, sparklers, candles. The lights are reminders of the inner light and hope for the return of sunny days. I hope you can join us on December 20 to bring more light and playfulness to your life through a hilarious murder mystery with your family and friends. And through your donation, you will be bringing love and light, and sunnier days, to others less fortunate in our community who need our help. Let’s get on with the show and make a difference in our community!
Devinder Kaur, Director