Fil-Canadian center sets fundraisers for its community services

KCCC Hawaiian-themed dinner dance: Time to shake off the calories that delicious buffet. PHOTOS BY MARISA ROQUE

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – A key Filipino Canadian community institution in this Toronto suburb is holding a series of fundraisers efforts to sustain its numerous projects and its day-to-day operations.

The popular Kalayaan Cultural Community Center (KCCC) already hosts bimonthly dinner-dances and a charity bingo to help fund its operational expenses and the various classes and services it offers to the community.

Kalayaan volunteers Judy Montenegro, Ginny-Sevilla and Chat Bautista staff theregistration table at dinner-dance.

Among Kalayaan’s projects is the Heritage Language Class, open to all who wish to learn Tagalog.  Sessions start again in September.

Another regular project is the Kalayaan rondalla, which has become a mainstay in annual Philippine festivals and special events.

There are ongoing fitness sessions several nights a week–zumba, tai chi and line dancing– and these are open to everybody.

On a more practical note, the center is open to Filipino Canadian newcomers needing work counseling and help with resume preparation.  New immigrants are also given assistance toward securing accommodation, even for needed furnishings and kitchen utensils.

Kalayaan’s unit itself has had its heating and air conditioning system recently replaced, and the earnings from the charity bingo events go toward utilities, housekeeping, building maintenance and staff salaries.

Last month, on July 10, the center hosted a Hawaiian-themed dinner dance that drew loyal supporters. Tickets were $25 per person and included a buffet dinner.  Tickets were limited to 100 in order to assure everyone of ample dancing space.

Aiming to be self-supporting, the center and its Board of Directors have line up the following events to assist in raising funds:

• The annual golf tournament–to be held Saturday, August 15, at Royal Ontario Golf Club in Mississauga.  Cost per person is $140 per player, including a buffet dinner.  Without dinner, cost is $100 per player.  A foursome gets two golf carts free.
• Dinner dance on Friday, September 4 at KCCC.  Cost per person is $25, and early bird is $45 per couple.
• Walkathon on Saturday, October 3.  This is a 2 km walk around KCCC environs.  Cost is $25 per person and water, t-shirt, a Filipino breakfast, and raffle prizes come with each ticket.

The charity bingo events are held at the OLG Rama Bingo Hall in Meadowvale four times a month.  Four hours per schedule are allotted to Kalayaan.

Those interested in supporting KCCC by attending any of these events can call 905-602-0923 or visit www.kalayaan.ca or for a schedule of events.

Anybody who wants to book Kalayaan’s hall for events can email [email protected].

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