Annual Turkey Dinner and Bazaar held at Holy Name

by Adam Gault

Holy Name of Jesus Church’s Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) held its annual Turkey Dinner and Bazaar fundraiser at the local parish this past Sunday afternoon. The festivity brought together members of the church and community to enjoy a positive event that’s been going strong for more than 30 years.

Featuring homemade crafts and baked goods, a raffle, games for the kids, and of course, piping hot turkey dinners, the ever-popular event proved to be a successful fundraiser for the wide-range of CWL initiatives.

“The money raised helps us for the year to support our youth, different local community activities that go on. This is our major fundraiser each year,” President of the Holy Name CWL, Pat Kozak, said.

Explaining there’s a need to be there for other people, Kozak explained events like the Turkey Dinner and Bazaar are crucial in supporting local outreach programs, such as area food banks and other assistance programs.

“There’s a need to be there, so we’re going to be there for them,” said Kozak. “But we’re there for each other, too. We make sure that our own community is taken care of as well.”

Every year, members of the Holy Name congregation anticipate the dinner with bated breath, usually selling out the hundreds of turkey dinners made in a large team effort, in anticipation of the large crowds.

“Last year, we sold 500 turkey dinners,” Kozak explained. “It’s not only the ladies that help out with this event. We have out Knights of Columbus men helping in the kitchen, helping set up, take down. Our youth are involved, they’re helping [by] serving, they’re helping clean-up, so it’s very much a full community participation for this event. It’s supporting each other, so we can look out for the greater good.”

This Friday, November 2, Holy Name of Jesus Church will present a chili cook off, which the Knights of Columbus will host, between 5 and 7pm.

Tickets are available at the door. All proceeds will go to support the St. Vincent de Paul Camp.