It was an international feast inside Ecole Alain St. Cyr on Saturday evening as the Commission scolaire francophone Territories du Nord-Ouest (CSFTNO) held a fundraiser to help with the cost of construction on the school's new community spaces.
Close to 100 people came out to support the cause by indulging in a five-course meal that featured different dishes from across the francophone world. Canada, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, France and the Ukraine were all represented at the feast.
“We wanted to give it an international flair. We're celebrating the francophone and we chose countries that are... represented by students or staff at the school,” said Sylvie Francoeur, a coordinator with the commission.
Patrons at the dinner paid $100 a ticket for the Souper Gala Dinner to enjoy the meal prepared by local chef Etienne Croteau. All of the money will go towards the construction of the school's new gymnasium and equipment that will stock that gym.
“We are helping to raise funds for the new community spaces that we are building, so there's the new gym, the stage and kitchens and these will be available to the community so it's not just for the school,” said Francoeur. “We're really looking at raising more funds to get better quality equipment so that it's not only usable for elementary school and high school but also by community groups.”
While Francoeur coordinated the event, it was student volunteers that helped make the night run smoothly by greeting guests, serving food and even providing the recipes for Chef Croteau. While the school has been actively fundraising throughout the construction process via crowdsourcing and a walk-a-thon at the school, Saturday's dinner is the first major community fundraising event that the school has undertaken.