Community Building Event Success Story
report compiled by the art group volunteers:
Our recent community-building event in Port Moody was a resounding success, bringing families together for an afternoon of creativity, connection, and fun. The journey to this achievement was filled with careful planning, flexibility, and collaboration, making the experience even more rewarding.
We initially planned to host the event at Rocky Point Park, a central and popular location. We envisioned a lively atmosphere where families could gather, children could participate in a Story drama led by local actress and arts educator Crystal Koskinen, and everyone could enjoy a picnic in the park. However, as the date approached, we discovered that hosting the event at Rocky Point Park required permits we did not have time to secure.
Undeterred, we adapted by shifting the event to the Klahanie Neighbourhood Canoe Club, with the generous support of the Klahanie Community Association. We updated our promotional materials and notified registered families of the new location.
Despite the smooth transition of venues, we faced additional challenges. We attempted to secure local sponsors to contribute to the event but did not receive the expected support. Nonetheless, we remained determined to make the event a success.
Our coordinator played a crucial role in gathering snacks, collecting registrations, and purchasing drinks for the event. The day before the event, she tested positive for COVID-19. In response, her daughter stepped in to help, and Crystal and Anthea graciously took on additional responsibilities. Their commitment and teamwork ensured that everything ran smoothly on the day of the event.
The event began with a welcome and hour-long Story drama session led by Crystal Koskinen. Children engaged their imaginations, becoming characters in an improvised story and created maps to help with their adventure. Their group was filled with excitement and creativity throughout and the session was a highlight for many families.
Following the Story drama, families enjoyed some snacks and refreshments in the centre. This was a zero waste event so families all brought cups and utensils as instructed. This time allowed parents and children to connect, share stories, and build new friendships within the community.
Organizing this event taught us the importance of flexibility and the power of community support. Shifting venues at the last minute and dealing with unforeseen health issues could have derailed our plans, but the willingness of volunteers to step in and take on extra duties made all the difference. We also learned that while local sponsorships are valuable, a successful event relies on the dedication and collaboration of community members.
We are grateful to everyone who participated and contributed to the event’s success. This experience has strengthened our resolve to continue fostering community connections and organizing similar events in the future. The success of this event has inspired us to plan more gatherings that bring our community closer together.
