STUISA brings students together for Islamic Relief Canada fundraiser

Attendees play a round of Mario Kart during the Bridges of Hope fundraiser, which featured video games, crafts, and food to raise money for children and orphans worldwide. (Brianna Lyttle/AQ)

Competitive students were in for a treat on Nov. 1 when Islamic Relief Canada’s (IRC) Bridges of Hope event came to St. Thomas University.

With a variety of games ranging from Mario Kart to playing cards, shawarma donated by Osmow’s Fredericton, soda drinks, and baked goods, the IRC team created a fun environment for a Charity Week fundraiser.

Charity Week is a volunteer-led organization hosted internationally every year, taking place on the last week of October, with the purpose of individuals and organizations coming together to fundraise for children and orphans around the world. 

This was the first year of Fredericton’s participation, with IRC partnering with the St. Thomas University International Students Association (STUISA) to arrange the campus venue and garner volunteers to help.

Other activities included bracelet making, henna, a photo booth and an auction in the evening – all for the price of a pay-what-you-can donation upon entry.

“I just thought because Fredericton is a small city and especially in this part of town [where] it’s mostly students, that a game night is something that would attract students,” said Minahil Mujahid, an IRC event coordinator.

With her team entirely composed of students, collaborating with a student organization was an easy way to secure a venue, which led to STUISA getting involved.

“I wanted to collaborate with at least one student association that had some sort of experience, and we were lucky that the International Student Association was open to it and they have been a huge help in setting up everything,” said Mujahid.

Harshene Kaur, the fundraising officer for STUISA, attended the event to support the cause and represent the student association.

“At STU, diversity is something we value a lot, and obviously at STUISA, we do a lot for students, but we thought it would be a good idea to collaborate with external organizations to extend our community impact beyond,” she said.

“Islamic Relief Canada supports a lot of young children, and so this event in particular, I feel, speaks a lot to [bringing] out your inner child,” said Kaur.

Like Mujahid, event coordinator Amina Elemam thought a game night would be a fun and effective way to attract students.

Event coordinator Amina Elemam prepares a “Memory Card” game board ahead of Islamic Relief Canada’s Bridges of Hope charity night at St. Thomas University. (Brianna Lyttle/AQ)

“Right now it’s also Halloween, so people want to play and everything,” she said. “But of course, in our religion, we don’t celebrate Halloween. It would be a good thing to do for people to have fun around this time.”

Elemam was excited to watch people enjoy themselves with the games. Her personal favourite of the games was one involving two players running around and flipping papers to their opposite sides as quickly as they could, similar to the classic memory game but with more of a physical element.

“It's also a reminder for [the kids] that they could play other [games] rather than just being stuck in front of a screen.”

Along with ensuring the guests were having a good time, Elemam was most excited for the auction later in the night. The items included Arabic calligraphy art, traditional Palestinian tatreez embroidery, among others.

Attendee Shayra Feliz said she found out about the event through the IRC email newsletter.

“I love supporting Palestine and supporting Gaza, all of the charities that are meaningful not only for my religion, but also personally. And that's why I always come out, or I try to,” she said.

Feliz enjoyed talking to new people through carrying out several rounds of the card game Uno, meeting fellow attendees ranging from children to students to adults.

“I think they really nailed it this time when it comes to the concept of everything, because it takes away all of the heaviness of it and we can use this good energy to make other people want to join,” said Feliz.

Mujahid believes that being involved with charity is important and hopes to see more students follow suit. 

“I feel like students and the newer generation have the most impact in the world, they're the change makers of this generation … I think charity is one thing students definitely should be involved with, because we can do a lot more if we are to work together.”