Last night, I attended the Canuck House lighting ceremony. The 100 year old 16,000 foot character house was originally built for William Tait, a turn-of-the-century real estate and lumber baron. Tomorrow, this lovingly restored home will witness the 15 year anniversary of its doors opening to children with terminal illnesses and their families.
During the course of the early evening event, there was a choir singing at the entrance’s main staircase. At around 5:40 pm, the holiday lights were illuminated.
Hot chocolate, maple taffy on ice, coffee, cookies and other treats added to an already magnificent atmosphere despite the cold, rainy weather.
This year, BC Finance Minister Colin Hansen was on hand to announce a 1.5 million dollar provincial government addition towards a new Canuck Place in Abbotsford.
Several cast members of the Goh Ballet were present to help spread the word of a fundraising partnership between the ballet and Canuck House.
The upcoming limited run engagement of The Nutcracker (being presented by The Goh Ballet) will feature principal dancers from both the National Ballet of Canada and Pacific Northwest Ballet, with music performed by Vancouver Opera Orchestra musicians.
Partial proceeds from The Nutcracker’s December 16-19 performances at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts will aid the Canuck House. By purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster.ca and entering the code word: CANUCK for Adult tickets and HOSPICE for Student/Seniors, a percentage of these specific sales will be donated directly to the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.