Since working with Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, I discovered that they have a wonderful initiative called Home for Dinner, where we can celebrate the tradition of sharing a meal together while supporting a great cause. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to combine my passions for hosting and charitable giving to help benefit families that are staying at RMH BC. This idea really inspired me to gather my generous friends for a “Friendsgiving” dinner along with some amazing charitable partners like the Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub, Taffete Designs, and Riversol to create a memorable night of giving; and hopefully, motivate others to host their very own Home for Dinner fundraising event this holiday season.
If you have read my previous Blog Post about Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, you will remember that I wanted to work with RMH BC because of how they support families that must uproot themselves when their child requires urgent medical care at BC Children Hospital or Surrey Memorial Hospital. The House provides a home away from home for these families where they can stay together during these tough times. RMH BC serves up to 2000 families each year and can accommodate 73 families per night. While it costs $125 to house a family for one night, families only need to pay $12 a night (if they can) and RMH BC also helps with financial strains that come with traveling, lodging and other costs. Generous support from the community helps to ensure that no families are turned away.
Decor & Inspiration
You might remember Sarah from Taffete Designs who organized Adelina’s 1 year birthday party; I was so impressed with her work and professionalism that I wanted to reach out to her again. Since we worked so well together last time, she knew exactly what I liked and captured my vision perfectly, as always! I wanted a very intimate setting with warm and copper tones that really signals the harvest season; so a palette of burgundy, rose gold and ivory were used. Beautiful Dahlias, hypercium berries, leucadendron, chrysanthemums and ornamental pampas grass in copper vases lined the tables, along with ivory chiffon table runners and pillar LED candles that added that dreamy touch. Sarah also, like the last party, created all the stationary (except the mission cards that were provided by RMH BC) and I love the rose gold foliage accents she added. Of course a memorable night is not complete without wonderful favours provided by Riversol, my favourite skincare brand at the moment! I have been using all of their products consistently for a few months now and just absolutely love it for my sensitive skin and wanted to share that with my lovely friends. They got to go home with a custom traveling kit that included a fabulous eye repair treatment, a travel size refreshing gel cleanser and samples of their exfoliating glycolic peel and hydrating antioxidant mask.
The Culinary Experience
Before I talk about the lovely menu, I wanted to first give you a little back story about the restaurant. Previously the Fish House at Stanley Park (in case you were wondering why it looked so familiar), Stanley Park Brewing along with operating management team, The Joseph Richard Group decided to take over the iconic space because it would have been demolished if an occupant was not found. Now the Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub, JRG’s first operating management venture is the latest addition to Vancouver’s very vibrant craft beer scene. Constructed in 1930 as a sports pavilion, this revitalized heritage building is located at the Beach Avenue entrance of Stanley Park, nestled amongst the Pitch & Putt, lawn bowling and tennis courts and just steps away from the best viewpoints in Vancouver. Not just an ordinary brewpub, JRG ensures it’s all about the culinary experience and if you have ever dined at their Fraser Valley locations, you will know they take their food very seriously and it’s no exception here! The Brewpub caters to both beer and food enthusiasts with 16 beers on tap and an approachable menu thoughtfully designed by their culinary team including Executive Chef Andy Slinn and Head Chef Lee Haworth. The concept celebrates the spirit of the park while offering high-quality food and beverage options.
For the menu, my friends nibbled on nachos, their famous hero and villain wings, home-style kettle chippers and fresh popcorn to start while enjoying their signature beers. Then came the entrees and we could choose from either their signature JRG Cheeseburger or a Rose Rigatoni special to my dinner (usually it comes with seafood on the menu). Last but not least, the highlight is of course the dessert and my friends were so delighted to try out the Caramel Corn Sphere where our server would come and pour hot chocolate until the sphere melts and reveals a wealth of fresh popcorn, gelato, lady fingers and vanilla mascarpone with a caramel sauce. This sweet and salty dessert was such a big hit that I probably should have ordered another one for everyone!
Home For Dinner
Since I started working with Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon in the summer, I realized just how important this facility is to so many families and I am so lucky to have amazing partners and friends that share the same vision. This dinner came together very quickly and I just want to thank the Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub for the venue and the food and JRG’s commitment to giving back to the community! I also want to thank Sarah from Taffete designs for her beautiful work and efforts for this dinner! She even stopped by Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon with the beautiful flower arrangements from my Home for Dinner event so that families at the House could enjoy them! I also want to thank Riversol for providing the favours so all my friends can enjoy some good skincare this fall. Speaking of friends, this dinner wouldn’t be such a success without my generous and supportive friends who came out on a Sunday to support me and my husband on this initiative. Our friends whom are just about to give birth couldn’t make but still donated to the cause and it just shows what a lovely group of people I am surrounded with. But like a lot of you, especially if you are parents, you will understand but probably can’t imagine how any parent would feel to see their child so sick.
Whether it be an intimate gathering at a restaurant – like mine – or something cozy and casual at home with family and loved ones; whichever way you decide to host, it will be the perfect gathering to show your giving spirit this holiday season. So, I urge you this Thanksgiving to host a fundraiser like Home for Dinner to ensure that these families can enjoy treasured moments-like a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner- at one table, under one roof.
To find out more about hosting your very own dining event, please visit the Home for Dinner website HERE
You can also support the families staying at RMH BC by making a donation to my Home for Dinner HERE
Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving!
Details
Venue: Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brew Pub
Décor: Taffete Designs
Favours: Rviersol
Charity: Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon
