Dinner and a show might seem like a thing of the past these days, but Mariposa House Hospice is making it happen.
The hospice is holding an online A-May-Zing Culinary Night In as a fundraiser.
Hosted by Carey Moran of Pure Country Radio, the event will include Eclectic Café owner Melanie Robinson, a Chopped Canada champion, who will guide participants through preparing and plating a three-course meal.
Juno Award winner Lance Anderson will then perform.
The idea came from Gini Stringer, a member of Mariposa House Hospice’s fundraising committee with Karen O’Coin and Robin Sanders.
“We just jumped on it,” said O’Coin. “Especially during COVID, it’s something wonderful to look forward to.”
Like many organizations, Mariposa House Hospice needs to be creative to ensure fundraising continues. While the capital costs of the building have been covered, “we still need to fundraise on an annual basis to operate the facility,” O’Coin explained.
The hospice on Brodie Drive in Severn Township opened in February and many have already used its services.
“It’s something that is so needed in the community,” said O’Coin, who volunteered with the organization after an experience with a friend who was in a Barrie hospice. “I didn’t realize at the time what it encompassed.”
She hopes the community supports Mariposa House Hospice by taking part in the upcoming fundraiser.
“It’s going to be good, and it’s safe,” she said, adding the dinner “will be mouthwatering because Mel is awesome.”
The virtual event will take place May 1, starting at 6 p.m. A dinner package for two costs $250 and includes locally sourced ingredients that will be used to create an appetizer, a choice of either pork or turkey piccata for the main course, dessert, wine, two wine glasses and an apron.
Dinner packages are limited, so O’Coin encourages people to place their order soon. They must be purchased by April 22.
Information about picking up the packages will be provided. Pick-up will be at Eclectic Café on April 30.
Those who want to purchase dinner packages can go to http://www.mariposahousehospice.com/tc-events/ah-may-zing-culinary-night-in, click “Culinary Night” in the drop-down menu and indicate whether they want pork or turkey piccata.
Orders can also be placed by calling 705-558-2888, ext. 802.
All proceeds will go to Mariposa House Hospice, a five-room residential hospice that offers 24-hour specialized end-of-life palliative care.
“Our team strives to provide a place where we can honour every moment of life and this special fundraising event helps to achieve that goal.”
