CultureLink’s Annual Summer Picnic was held on July 24, 2010 at High Park. More than 300 people attended the event. It was an incredible celebration of culture, diversity and friendship.

Our Executive Assistant Zarina Decambra's Thank-You note:

The Picnic Event began with brilliant sunshine equaled by a sea of brilliant neon green and gold CultureLink t-shirts worn by staff and volunteers alike

The registration table was a-buzz with activity, with newcomer families and their Host volunteers all ready to have fun and to ‘hang out’ together. Young and the not so young joined in the organized games, young and the not so young ate together, young and the not so young laughed and celebrated together. Talented musicians from the ROMA community played their guitars while others danced around. A portrayal of some of the famous children’s stories was also staged by a group of performers and this was enjoyed by all.  

The artistry of the face painters was in evidence as children skipped around, toddlers tried to walk and teenagers assisting seniors, was a joy for all to observe.  

What picnic is complete without a BBQ?! Staff and volunteers donned their food protective gear and barbecued the hamburgers and hot dogs - generously donated by various food product companies. Line ups were long and patience at a premium! But at the end, all picnickers were well fed and were very satisfied. Dessert, donuts, so generously donated. Yum! 

The rain held off but it finally ‘rained’ on our parade! Some took shelter under the trees, some in the High Park shelters and some found themselves heading for home, somewhat with ‘dampened’ clothing but not with a dampened spirit, happy to have had the opportunity to enjoy the sunny hours before the rain came down.  

To sum up the day in the words of one of CultureLink’s board members Wendy Horning “It takes more than a bit of rain to keep the CL team down”!

CultureLink would like to take this opportunity to thank first and foremost funding for special events received from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada, without which, the picnic would not have been possible.

A very grateful thank you goes out to our many volunteers without whom the picnic would not be what it was, a roaring success!  

We would also like to thank the generous in-kind/cash donation and invaluable community support from the following companies:

*      Donations of more than $500 or worth of goods: Stitchy Lizard

*      Donations of more than $300 or worth of goods: BMO Bank of Montreal

*      Other donors: Zabiha Halal Foods of Maple Lodge Farms; Starsky Foods; The Toronto-Dominion Bank; Sweet Temptations