Miklat Recovery House Society, a nonprofit charity organization providing affordable treatment for people who live in the qathet region and beyond, will be hosting a community fundraiser dinner on Saturday, December 17.
“This event is a celebration of the clients’ accomplishments most of all; recovery should be celebrated,” says Miklat director of operations Robert Fitzpatrick. “Battling addiction is a difficult road to travel, and each person who comes into recovery takes a courageous leap into the unknown. The result of overcoming that fear is that they’re embraced by a recovery community, reunited with family, reconnected with society and the workplace, and leading amazing lives.”
Fitzpatrick says Miklat began in March 2020, just after COVID-19 hit. Although the society has managed to pay its bills every month, like many nonprofit organizations, funding has been tight. Not to mention the expansions and projects to come, he adds.
The idea for the Christmas fundraiser gala dinner came from Steve Macleod, a Miklat employee and red seal chef, who saw the need for extra funding.
“I originally started as a client and went through the 90-day treatment program, which led to volunteer work,” explains Macleod. “Now I work for them as a full-time employee.”
He says he wanted to bring everyone together for a gala dinner around Christmas time while doing something he loves: feeding people.
The event is being held at Evangel Pentecostal Church at 5139 Manson Avenue, which was offered to Miklat after discussing the gala during a bible study meeting. After the location was secured, the event really started to fall into place, according to Fitzpatrick.
“Now is our chance to give back to the community, by showing them what we do and asking our clients to give speeches and talk about their recovery,” he adds.
In addition to the gala being a fundraiser, Macleod says it’s an opportunity to get involved and say thanks to the qathet community.
“It allows the guys in second-stage living areas and primary care to volunteer and help out with the event,” he adds, “and feel like they’re taking an active role in their recovery process.”
People attending the 2022 Miklat Recovery Society Christmas Fundraiser Dinner will enjoy prime rib, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, salads, apple pie and a mocktail bar. Tickets are $60.
So far, 64 tickets have been sold for the 200-seat dinner, with 100 per cent of proceeds going toward operations and expansion of the society.
“It’s going to be fun,” says Macleod. “It’s going to be delicious, too, and it’s for an excellent cause. There are going to be good people there. It’s a heartwarming thing.”
Fitzpatrick hopes the event will help fight the stigma against addiction and recovery.
“We want to show everyone that recovery is possible and our clients are leading productive lives now,” says Fitzpatrick. “It’s great for them to see that because all they hear are stories of tragedy and misery, stealing and everything that goes with active addiction. But they don’t see what happens when people get into recovery.”
Anyone interested in tickets can call John Boutilier at the church (604.223.0314), go to Eventbrite online and search for 2022 Miklat Recovery Society Christmas Fundraiser Dinner, or make a purchase in person at Miklat Recovery House Society (5298 McGuffie Avenue).
“This is a good way to see the other side,” says Macleod. “We can recover when we do the work.”
Miklat society manager Lola Amundsen is collecting silent auction items for the event. Anyone who would like to donate can contact her at 604.483.8027.
