Parya Foundation's Gala dinner a huge success

Parya Foundation?s fundraising dinner featured stars, laughs, eclectic sounds .. and a big update

By Azim Ahmed

With hundreds of thousands of dollars raised, and with over 1,000 people in attendance at the beautiful and sprawling International Centre in Mississauga on June 5th, by all accounts the Parya Foundation's "Building a Home to Call Our Own" fundraising dinner was already a success about an hour into the evening.

But when CBC Radio's popular host, Jian Ghomeshi, an Iranian-Canadian, was called to the stage to deliver a special announcement, excitement levels rose to new heights. Ghomeshi unleashed an update that Parya was on the verge of purchasing a building and property in Thornhill-Markham which would be the new permanent community centre for Iranians in the Greater Toronto Area. 

The 9,600 square foot building is on a 1.33 acre property at 344 John Street in Markham (just east of Bayview Avenue, roughly halfway between Steeles Avenue to the south and Highway 407 to the north).

The crowd, including dignitaries, were all impressed.

"You know, as big as the Iranian community is in southern California, where I live, we don't even have a community centre," says renowned comedian-actor Maz Jobrani, who was also the MC for the event. "This speaks to the unity and togetherness of the community here, it?s a huge achievement!"

"The fact that it?s the only one in all of the (Iranian) Diaspora is really neat," remarks Martha Hall Findlay, MP for Willowdale. "A community centre is hugely important."

While Parya has been using a good location on Yonge Street for over two years now, it was always known to be a temporary stay, almost like a transitional location. But now, they have a permanent home.

The rest of Saturday's evening was also extremely well put-together by the organizers. Jobrani kept the crowd engaged and entertained with his comedic bits and anecdotes, while interacting with the crowd. He particularly was having fun with a Caucasian-Canadian named 'Bob' sitting near the front, as well as a jab-fest with Ghomeshi about his long-flowing hair, which Jobrani's head is lacking.

Musical guest Darya Dadvar came in from France and performed a stirring rendition of both the Canadian and Iranian national anthems. Along with her musical partner and composer Sujin Nam, her powerful operatic voice in both traditional and modern pieces captivated the hall. 

Bringing in a contrasting musical style towards the end of the night was the Shanbehzadeh Ensemble, featuring the always amiable lead Saeid Shanbehzadeh. Their melodious beats and hypnotic instruments brought forth music from the south-western region of Iran known as Boushehr. 

The crowd, including many non-Iranians, was clearly having a wonderful time.

With over 1,000 people at the sold-out dinner, reports that more than $400,000 was raised from this dinner and the campaign itself is not hard to believe. The organizing committee also secured many sponsors, and had a silent auction with a great number of high-quality art work and memorabilia that raised a lot of money. Ticket-raffle prizes were also given away, with Jobrani using his mass appeal and comedic timing during the give-away that left the audience in stitches. 

But what did really bring Jobrani and other renowned artists to travel from around the world to participate in this dinner?

Explains Jobrani: "You know, Trillum (foundation) got in touch with me, and asked me to host it, and it was something I couldn't refuse. It?s such an important cause." 

Other dignitaries included: Jason Kenney, MP and Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism; Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of Markham; Peter Kent, MP Thornhill; David Barrow, Mayor of Richmond Hill, Dr. Lorna Marsden, former York University President; Lisa de Wilde, President of TVO; as well as a handful of Councillors and other diginitaries. 

While the event fit the bill for its entertainment value, for its purpose of raising a lot of funds for a vital cause, and also featured the announcement of some very positive news with a new community centre, perhaps what it most tellingly signified was a celebration of a thriving community. 

"Somebody asked me the other day as to what it means to define a Canadian," Hall Findlay relates. "I have come to believe that the identifying characteristics of a Canadian you can't actually define, because there are people from all over the world here. And that we all come here and become Canadian, but we also do it in a way that appreciates our backgrounds, our cultures, and our religious and ethnic diversity. But you can only do that by appreciating."

And this was truly an evening of mutual appreciation. This was also a culmination of success after years of hard work and obstacles for a still-young Iranian-Canadian community; it was an exclamation point statement to Canada that it has arrived. While a lot of work is yet to be done, and really, this is only the beginning, it clearly marks a big milestone for Iranian-Canadians. 

As the title of the event says, the Iranian community finally has a place to call home. 

Our New Home

344 John Street, Markham (just east of Bayview, halfway between 407 and Steeles)

9,600 square feet

1.33 acres property

Building: $1,000,000

Theatre/Auditorium: $500,000

Multipurpose Room/Gym: $500,000

Computer Lab: $200,000

Class Rooms (4 opportunities each): $100,000

Meeting Rooms (2 opportunities each): $100,000

Dance and Aerobic Room: $100,000

Library: $100,000

Boardroom: $100,000

Elevator: $100,000

Cafeteria: $100,000

Games Room: $50,000

Bricks (1000 opportunities each): $1,000

Trees (200 opportunities each): $500

Theatre/Auditorium seats (300 opportunities): $500