Ambiya and Fartun enjoyed spending time with their friends and neighbours as they celebrated together.
Neighbours surrounding Sunnydale Community Centre gathered for a lively Eid al-Fitr celebration this past Saturday. Nearly 300 community members enjoyed the sunshine as they shared a barbecue, with halal meats provided by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Almost a third of these attendees were young children, who enjoyed gifts that were prepared for them on this special occasion.
Fartun is a community member and one of the women who worked with House of Friendship staff to organize the event. Her daughter volunteers at the community centre, tutoring younger students.
Fartun says that the Sunnydale Community Centre has brought their community together. With events like this, neighbours build a sense of belonging instead of feeling isolated from each other. Staff at the community centre work with community leaders to meet any needs that arise in the neighbourhood – including the need to celebrate together!
Fartun encouraged each person who attended their local Neighbourhood Food Distribution to join the day of festivities. Whether or not they observed the religious holiday, all neighbours were welcome to laugh and share a meal together.
A special thank you to the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation for their generous support of this impactful event through the Neighbourhood Action Grant!
