Canara World Foundation's Magical Christmas Celebration 2023 : A Joyful Celebration Marked by Success, Honors, and Heartfelt Partnerships with Canadian Blood Services

Canar World Foundation Christmas Party 2023 - Google Photos

For the past 20 years, Canara World Foundation (CWF) has consistently organized exciting programs and events for the Mangalorean community. This time too, CWF went all out to bring the Christmas spirit to life on the evening of December 17, 2023, by hosting a Potluck Christmas party at the Canara Cultural Centre in Oakville. Over 100 guests joined the celebration, dressed in their festive best and bringing delicious potluck dishes to share.

The evening began at 5:30 pm with a warm welcome speech from Mavy Pereira, a dedicated committee member of CWF. Following that, the dynamic duo, of King & I Entertainment, Gavin (Emcee) and Anthony (DJ), stirred up the festive atmosphere with caroling and the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa, full of energy and carrying a sack full of goodies, shared an important Christmas message about spreading joy, love, and caring within the community. The children even had a delightful dance with Santa before he headed back to the North Pole.

The highlight of the evening came with the recognition by Simran Dulay, Business Development Manager at Canadian Blood Services, who honored CWF with a prestigious certificate for being proud partners. Nancy Mendes, a true champion and an active blood and plasma donor, received the certificate alongside the entire committee.

DJ Anthony kept the energy high with fantastic music mixes, getting all the guests on the dance floor, while Gavin skillfully conducted the flow of the event. Tons of great prizes were handed out to lucky winners of the raffle draw.

A special celebration marked the 45th wedding anniversary of the lovely couple Marie & Diany Louis, including a cake-cutting ceremony. Other couples celebrating milestone anniversaries were also invited to the spotlight for a cake-cutting celebration. Fr. Ranjan, the spiritual director of Canara World Foundation and the parish priest of St. Dominic Catholic Church, gave a heartfelt toast to the anniversary couple and led everyone in grace before the buffet potluck meal.

The event was vibrant, filled with joy, fun, and spirited activities like games, caroling, music, dancing, a scrumptious meal, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, and the distribution of numerous prizes.

CWF expressed deep gratitude to all the guests who brought delicious potluck dishes and recognized the valuable contributions of volunteers :- Walty & Nancy Lobo, Oreen Pereira & Edwin D'Souza, and the organizing team including Arun & Jennifer Mendes, Boniface & Sharon Viegas, Flavian & Miriam Pinto, Joyson & Reema D'Souza, Mavy & Ingrid Pereira, Max & Nancy Mendes, and Paul & Irene Mathias. Heartfelt thanks were also extended to generous donors & sponsors: Dorothy & Ronald Rego, Max Mendes, Flavian Pinto, Diany Louis, Chethan Mathda, Jerald Moraes, and Bobby Abraham.

In closing, CWF extended warm wishes to all community members for a Merry Christmas and a Bright and Prosperous New Year. The organisers requested all the community members to mark their calendars for their forthcoming events in the New Year:

January 28th, 2024 12 pm, movie "LUCKY DRAW 777" at Central Parkway Mall, Mississauga

February TBD, 2024 5 pm, Valentine's Celebration, at the Canara Cultural Centre, Oakville

May 11th, 2024 1 pm, Canara Kala Saanz, at the Meadowvale Theatre, Mississauga