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Dinner raises $7,000 for de-mining

11/12/04 00:00:00
Last Thursday's benefit event at the MacLaren Art Centre, in support of Adopt-a-Minefield, raised more than $7,000 for de-mining efforts around the world.

Hosted by the Barrie Women's Liberal Association, the standing-room-only event included a program of speeches, a de-mining display from Canadian Forces Borden, a silent auction and a raucous live auction. The Night of a Thousand Dinners is an annual global campaign designed to raise funds and awareness of the land mines crisis.

Individuals and organizations around the world come together on the first Thursday in November to eat, be educated and earn money for de-mining efforts and landmine survivor assistance.

Aileen Carroll, MP, minister of international co-operation, was the first speaker, praising the Barrie Liberal Women's Association for their efforts, and relating her recent experience with the effects of landmines during her visit to Sudan.

"I am so very proud of the support from our Barrie Community for the Night of a Thousand Dinners. We joined Canadians in cities across Canada to promote this vital initiative," said Carroll.

Dr. Michael Johns, professor of political science, Laurentian University at Georgian, explained that much additional work has to be done to eradicate the threat to civilians from landmines, and that Canadians have a special responsibility to this issue.

The International Convention to Ban Landmines is known around the world as the Ottawa Convention, recognizing the leadership role that Canada played in making it a reality.

Barrie native Dr. Leslie Shanks, of Médecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders), related her experiences living in countries plagued by landmines and treating landmine victims in Africa, bringing home to the audience the horror of landmines painted to look like toys.

Referring to landmines as "weapons of terror," she explained how the devices create a "culture of fear" for those least able to protect themselves.

Barrie restaurateurs donated gift certificates for the live auction, run by Barb Richards from A Touch of Class Auctions. The auction also included meals with Carroll, Barrie Mayor Rob Hamilton, players from the Barrie Colts, chef Don Woychyshyn and others.

You can find out more about the landmine issue, or discover how you can adopt a minefield, by going to the Web site www.landmines.org.

To register to Host a Night of a Thousand Dinners click here.