Interested in a little detective work? There's a mystery brewing in Burnaby, and solving it will help out a local community organization.
Burnaby Community Connections - which runs the Burnaby Christmas Bureau and Meals on Wheels - is getting ready for its first ever murder mystery dinner and dance, in support of its camping bureau program.
The event, slated for Saturday, March 17, is being called an "evening of mystery, intrigue, deception."
Stephen D'Souza, executive director of Community Connections, says they're hoping to raise $80,000 towards the camping bureau.
The camping program has seen an increase in demand in recent years, just like the Christmas bureau, as families struggle to make ends meet in a tough economy, says D'Souza.
"We provide a subsidy for low-income families to (send their child) to a summer camp of their choice," said D'Souza. "We make it possible for the kids to attend a camp that interests them - could be a sleep-away camp, or a local camp -to spend time with friends."
D'Souza told the NOW that there's a huge variety of camps out there that meet the needs and match the interest of different children, from animal programs to art camps and sports programs.
"It's about letting that child do something that they'll enjoy and learn from and have fun," he said.
In the last two years, they've had to cut off registration for the subsidy program because of the increase in demand and tighter budgets.
"But with some new ideas like this event, we're trying to overcome that challenge," he told the NOW.
People can make a donation anytime through the bureau's website, but D'Souza says they'd like to see people have fun and get involved along the way with events like the upcoming mystery night and dance.
"This is good way to come out and fun in the community - it's not your typical (fundraising) gala. It's going to be a lot of fun and a good chance to meet your neighbours," he said.
The event will be hosted at Canam Importique-Lake City Studio, at 3188 Thunderbird Cres., starting at 6 p.m. From 6 to 7 p.m., there will be cocktails and team orientation; that will be followed by a 'press conference' about the 'murder', with the murder mystery program running till 9 p.m., when a light supper will be served, and then dancing goes till midnight.
Tickets are $45 if purchased before March 1; aftewards, they'll be $50. Call 604-299-5778 for tickets, or see www.burnabycommunityconnections.com for more information.
www.twitter.com/ChristinaMyersA
