Over $2,232 was raised in one night to help those in need during St. Mark’s Ocean Park fun-filled mystery dinners, held earlier this year.

“Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?” involved 80 members of the congregation in a fundraiser for the Primates World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF).

St. Mark's Ocean Park mystery diners are (clockwise, from left) Linda Zeal, Betty Bear, Tom Bear and Kerry Zeal (combined hosts); and guests Roberta Braddock, Gordon Monro, Margaret Evans and David Evans. Empty chair: John Braddock (photographer)
Hosts didn’t know beforehand who their guests would be. And guests didn’t know whom their hosts were—until they knocked on their door.

Only one pair of guests reported they mistook their host’s address and found themselves proclaiming “Guess who’s coming to dinner!” to a surprised stranger.

The dinners were held in 10 private homes, and another at St. Mark’s Church.

The pleasure of the evening was reflected in the generous response of those who donated to PWRDF the following Sunday, Feb 22.

The “Primate’s Fund” is still in its 50th. anniversary year. In October 1958, Anglicans and other Canadians were moved by the tragedy of 167 coal miners who died after an underground explosion in Springhill, Nova Scotia.

Today, PWRDF works with local partners in various parts of the world, as well as in Canada, to help relieve specific cases of distress caused by natural disasters or other factors. PWRDF is also active in justice, human rights, and community development