Kelowna Diwali dinner raises $30,000 for orphans in India

KELOWNA – A Kelowna fundraising Diwali dinner and dance over the weekend raised roughly $30,000 for a local orphan’s foundation that helps kids in India.

The first ever East Meets West Orphans Foundation event at Rutland Centennial Hall included traditional Indian food, a live dance performance, an auction and a lively dance to Bhagra music afterward.

Kelowna mayor Colin Basran spoke at the event that drew around 350 people, including provincial politicians and many of the candidates running in the federal election.

Funds raised will be used to help pay for medical treatment for abandoned children in Kolkata, India.

East meets West was established in 2008 and according to a media release has saved the lives of close to 180 children. Many of those children have been adopted by families in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.