St. Paul’s Canada Day Celebration held on June 29 celebrated our nation’s 140th birthday. There was a large turn out for the event held on two floors of Bridlewood Mall.
The event began with the opening ceremonies featuring Larry Burke, Executive Director of St. Paul’s and Jim Kaufman, Chairman; and representatives from Scarborough’s political arena: Councilor Norm Kelly, Gerry Phillips (MPP), and Kathy Gooch, Executive Assistant for Jim Karygiannis (MP).
The speakers touched on how Canada is an example of multiculturalism, with particular emphasis on the culturally rich area of Scarborough. Illustrating the point of a community consisting of increasingly diverse cultures, St. Paul’s continues to meet the needs of multicultural seniors in providing programs and services.
Events included multicultural entertainment, music and displays from Ireland, Armenia, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Asian cultures introducing people to the various ethnicities that make up our unique community. There was also a crafts sale on the lower level of the mall.
The occasion was truly a combined effort involving Bridlewood Mall, St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre staff and volunteers and the Volunteering Association of U of T. Burger Palace and Bridlewood Mall provided attendees a BBQ with hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, soft drinks and birthday cake were available on the very hot day to grateful participants. The popular St. Paul’s annual event would not have been possible without the support from Canadian Heritage.
Hundreds of seniors not only attended the annual event but also participated as volunteers and provided entertainment. This year was much more of a community event with more visible involvement of young people who also attended with family and volunteered to make the event another great success.
