December 7th, 2018 – Abbotsford, BC …..On October 27th, the Abbotsford Rotary Club hosted their 1st Annual Halloween Bash at the Quality Hotel & Conference Centre.
Over 200 ghosts and ghouls celebrated with creative costumes – a spooktacular buffet dinner – dancing and entertainment by DJ Dance and world-renowned chainsaw carver – Ryan Cook.
The evening proceeds are supporting the following local charities- Starfish Backpack Program, Love Guatemala Canada and Transition Foundation Guatemala Team.
“Our Halloween Bash was a great success and much fun was had by all. Many members of our club worked tirelessly to make this event a fabulous fund raiser. It has given us the opportunity to serve generously both locally and internationally. Our intent is to repeat the event next year”, says Abbotsford Rotary club President Bill Bramwell. “
The Abbotsford Starfish Pack Program is extremely grateful for the hard work the members of Abbotsford Rotary Club did to put on their very successful Halloween Bash to raise money for our program, as well as two other amazing international causes. The money we received from this event is enough to feed over 17 children on the weekends for an entire school year! Abbotsford Starfish has recently expanded to high schools for the first time, and thanks to this generous donation, will be able to continue expanding and feeding more children and teens in our city. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” –Meghan Franklin, Starfish Coordinator
“As I was driving home, still in awe and shock, I knew what we were going to build. A house for a poor family and use the rest of it for community aid (feeding families, soup kitchen, etc. Thank you Abbotsford Rotary for helping Love Guatemala Canada change lives in Guatemala”. Judy Bergen, Director
“The Transitions Foundation Guatemala is primarily staffed by wheelchair users making wheelchairs for others. The Abbotsford-Sumas RC has been working with the TFG to assist them in making wheelchairs for people who are unable to afford one. This very generous gift from the Abbotsford RC will allow for the manufacture of 19 or 20 new wheelchairs that will change the lives of needy and disabled individuals in Guatemala” states Ron Lewis – Chair.
Master carver Ryan Cooke delighted with some Halloween themed wooden and real pumpkins carved on site, but the crème de la crème was his bear – carved on site and auctioned off for $850.
Celebrity judges Rob Michaels and Jessica Banks certainly had their work cut out for them as the attendees went above and beyond. “The energy in the room was amazing and everyone was so invested into having a great time! It’s important for the local radio stations to be involved in helping people in our community and teaming up with Rotary is a great way to help.” says Michaels & Banks.
The evening would not have been possible without the amazing support of all of the sponsors: The Abbotsford News, STAR 98.3, Country 107.1, Baker Newby, Berryhill Foods, Canadian Western Bank, Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes - Main Event Productions and the Quality Hotel & Conference Centre Abbotsford.
Thank you to all the hard working members of the organizing team and the many, many volunteers.
