There is a buzz around the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre (SSAC) these days – a fundraising buzz. The organization is about to present a murder mystery dinner theatre, Set Sail for Disaster, on Sept. 23, for one night only, in hopes of raising funds necessary to sponsor a Syrian refugee family to the Coast. Everyone is chipping in, including some of the Funtastics, an active performing group, and some members of a former dinner theatre group, the Peninsula Players.
“They got back together just for us,” said SSAC director Linda Stroud. “We’re grateful for that.”
Stroud describes the murder mystery as “a bit of a farce – it should be lots of fun.”
The play is set aboard a yacht where someone will be the victim of foul play and the cast of performers will move through the seated dinner guests dropping clues or perhaps leading guests astray with red herrings. During the buffet dinner, guests will turn detective to puzzle over the mystery, but they won’t find out who-done-it until dessert.
The seniors’ organization has been waiting to welcome the Syrian family for over a year now since the membership first voted to be a sponsor.
“We’re in touch with them,” said SSAC president Joanne Rykers. “We Skype and one SSAC member visited them.”
Currently the family of five are in a refugee camp in Jordan and have been there for the past five years. The father is a doctor and the mother is a teacher who isn’t allowed to teach in Jordan. They have three sons who are learning English and are excited about the transition to Canada. The Canadian government requires that sponsors must raise a minimum of $36,000 and so far the Centre is close at $22,000. Selling all 150 tickets to the theatre evening will help.
SSAC also raises funds through raffles for a quilt and a garden bench, but one of their most unusual items for sale is a children’s book, Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey (Orca Books) by Margriet Ruurs. It is told in English and Arabic from the point of view of little Rama who will be forced to go on her refugee journey. The pages show unique artwork by Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr in which each illustration is composed from pebbles arranged to form figures. The scenes depict life in Syria but when the war threatens Rama’s family, they must leave their home, and walk to their new future. The book is sold at SSAC for $20 and through an arrangement with the author and Orca Publishing, half of that amount is directed to the Centre for their refugee fundraising.
The murder mystery dinner theatre is on Saturday, Sept. 23 with doors opening at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. Tables booked for eight people will allow that group to be recognized as sponsors. Tickets are $75 at SSAC (in advance), Swish in Gibsons and Strait Coffee in Wilson Creek.
