Submitted by Dianna Atkinson, President, CAMAT
Each year, the Caribbean African Multicultural Association of Thunder Bay (CAMAT) hosts an international Christmas dinner for community members and families in Thunder Bay. The event highlights the diversity in our city and brings families from different parts of the world and cultures together during this very special time of year.
For this year’s dinner, CAMAT focused on raising funds and collecting food donations for one of Thunder Bay’s most vital services, Shelter House. Members of the CAMAT board prepared dishes from the Caribbean and Africa as well as Canadian favourites and invited families to attend to enjoy in the festivities. Santa’s helpers made a special appearance with gifts for each child.
CAMAT’s mission is to inspire and support the multicultural roots of Thunder Bay and seeks to make connections among the Caribbean and African community and individuals living here. CAMAT endeavours to maintain and promote diversity in Thunder Bay through volunteer activities, fundraisers, cultural activities, and events that bring Caribbean and African heritage together in celebration with other diverse cultures and communities within the city. CAMAT aims to provide a culturally diverse and welcoming presence throughout the city where multiculturalism, diversity, community and racial harmony matter.
The next event CAMAT will be hosting is the 6th annual Black History Month Dinner & Awards Gala on February 25, 2017. All proceeds from this event will go towards CAMAT’s scholarship fund.
Photo caption: Dianna Atkinson, president of CAMAT; Takwana Nhau, Shelter House; Matilda Ankrah, president of the African Caribbean Student Association at LU with food donations collected by CAMAT for Shelter House Thunder Bay.
