Over $20,000 Raised to Support the Power and Promise of Literacy in Sierra LeoneThe 2017 CODE Read Africa Ball (RAB), held March 9th at Toronto’s hip 2nd Floor Events, was a great way to beat the winter blues and drum up support for CODE’s Reading Sierra Leone literacy initiative. Over a hundred-people attended the soirée jointly hosted by CODE and the Toronto Twilight Rotary Club (TTRC).
Popular host of TVO’s The Agenda in the Summer, Nam Kiwanuka, hosted the event which featured electric performances by African drum group Beyond Sound Empijah and Sierra Leoneon spoken word poet, Unblind Tibbin.
Our evening host, Nam Kiwanuka
Spoken word poet, Unblind Tibbin
The Ngoma Drum & Dance Ensemble. Photo: Tom Sandler, freelance for the Toronto Star
Guests were also invited to mingle with the newly returned participants of CODE’s 2017 Seeing in Believing-Ghana trip led by CODE’s Allen LeBlanc – Director of Fund Development Integrated Marketing Communications.
(L to R) CODE's Allen Leblanc with RAB Host, Nam Kiwanuka and RAB Event Chair, Lynn Beauregard. Photo: Tom Sandler, freelance for the Toronto Star
Also at the event were CODE board members and generous donors -including CODE’s very special benefactor, William Burt, founder of CODE’s Burt Awards programs in Africa, the Caribbean and among First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
Toronto Twilight Rotary Club President, Zoey Cobb thanking everyone for their support and attendance at the event.
(L to R) William Luke, president-elect TTRC, with Zoey Cobb, president TTRC, and artist Unblind Tibbin. Photo: Tom Sandler, freelance for the Toronto Star
In addition to funds raised through event ticket sales, a silent auction, 50/50 and Joker Poker games, CODE received generous sponsorship support from Kinross Gold. Kinross’ Karen Campbell and Tina Tsoukalas attended the event with Ms. Campbell presenting CODE’s Executive Director, Scott Walter, with a cheque for $5,000.
(L to R) Tina Tsoukalas and Karen Campbell presenting a cheque from Kinross Gold to CODE Executive Director, Scott Walter.
All money raised at the 2017 Read Africa Ball will go towards helping to publish locally authored and illustrated story-books, get teachers quality training, and supply community libraries with much-needed books in Sierra Leone.
Special thanks and appreciation to our partner & lead sponsor:
It's tonight! CODE staff & @RotaryToronto volunteers @2ndfloorevents setting-up for the #ReadAfricaBall hosted by TVO’s @namshine #literacy pic.twitter.com/hz1pste8sy — CODE (@codecan_org) March 9, 2017
Some beautiful artwork of Africa up for bids at CODE's #ReadAfricaBall tonight at @2ndfloorevents - including 4 paintings by David Kigozi pic.twitter.com/C9AGRa1lcu — CODE (@codecan_org) March 9, 2017
Excited to host @codecan_org Read Africa Ball promoting literacy in Sweet Salone #NeverStopLearning pic.twitter.com/lTaIB6xrg2 — nam kiwanuka (@namshine) March 10, 2017
Coverage from CODE's #ReadAfricaBall last night via CTVToronto: Fundraiser for kid's reading programs https://t.co/4CzBhYRNqS @RotaryToronto — CODE (@codecan_org) March 10, 2017
Enjoying the rhythmic performance of @BeyondSoundEmpi tonight at the #ReadAfricaBall in support of CODE's #literacy programs in #SierraLeone pic.twitter.com/2IggTevkex — CODE (@codecan_org) March 10, 2017
Read about your Rotary career and the #ReadAfricaBall - https://t.co/hN8qwmT0Tr — Toronto Twilight RC (@RotaryToronto) March 13, 2017
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