Generosity at the gala

The fundraising gala organized by the Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation (OZCF) "to celebrate the ongoing construction of our consecrated atash kadeh and future atash-e-adaran…generated an impressive CAD 868,000 (Rs 5.32 crore),” noted a report by Neville Patrawala, secretary of the Place of Worship Advisory Committee (PWAC). Chasing a target of CAD 5.1million (Rs 31.26 crore), by the time of their land blessing ceremony in September 2023 they had been able to raise CAD 3.4 million (Rs 20.92 crore) and needed a balance CAD 1.7 million (Rs 10.46 crore) (see "Land blessing in Ontario,” Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, October 7-20, 2023).

Addressing the members, PWAC chair Phil Sidhwa reminded those present at the gala that the Greater Toronto Area is "the epicenter of the world’s fastest growing Zoroastrian community with over 6,000 Parsi and Iranian Zoroastrians within an 80 km radius.” Currently the OZCF membership comprises 236 family units (155 families and 81 senior couples) plus 107 individuals (53 seniors and 54 adults).

Top: Attendees at the fundraising gala in Ontario;

above: atash kadeh under construction

Appealing to each of the family units and single members to donate CAD 6,000 (Rs 3.67 lakh) or CAD 2,000 (Rs 1.22 lakh) per year over three years, fundraising chair Marzi Byramjee explained in his presentation that donors would be entitled to federal and provincial tax credits of nearly 38%. Thereby they would actually be paying only CAD 1,238 (Rs 75, 874) per year or CAD 3,714 (Rs 2.27 lakh) over three years. "Imagine having an atash kadeh built for CAD 3,714 per family! That’s only CAD 3.40 (Rs 208) /day, less than a cup of coffee each day! We tug at your heart strings to donate as much as you can so that we don’t have to borrow anything at the high interest rates we are seeing today.”

The call for donations at the gala yielded contributions from CAD 150,000 (Rs 91.93 lakh) to CAD 100 (Rs 6,129) with members across the age spectrum making passionate speeches and dedications. "It was an awesome feeling to witness contributions from younger participants donating whatever they could, instilling confidence in the future upkeep of our place of worship by the generations to come,” wrote Patrawala.

The function began with a Remembrance Day tribute followed by the national anthem sung by Shanaya Patel and the Din-no-kalmo prayer recited by young mobeds. While dinner was served, the live auction was conducted by the professional auctioneer for the many exciting artifacts donated by generous members. There was also a silent auction (using paper sheets or mobile bidding software). The young, dynamic emcees Xarius Jasavala and Aiden Silliphant, the dedicated volunteers and the live band kept the community engaged.

Following the magnanimity of the nearly 500 members of the community who attended the gala at the Mississauga Convention Centre on November 11, the amount that is now required is CAD 832,000 (Rs 5.09 crore).

The 10-acre property in Oakville "is destined to become a self-sustaining, revenue generating complex” for the OZCF, "fostering the growth of Zoroastrianism in North America.” Planned on the site are commercial and retail buildings, a retirement home for seniors, a museum, classrooms and ample parking, wrote the secretary.