For the first time, the Providence community celebrated our annual Harvest Festival in a virtual format. The online event took place on Thursday, October 29th at 7pm. Those who attended were encouraged to grab a treat, settle in and enjoy a unique glimpse into the story of Providence from the comfort of their own home. The video, available here online, was enjoyed by many in the days following.
A highlight of the evening was getting a look into the life of a first-year student on campus. Jesudamilola (Dami) Abiona filmed ‘a day in the life of’ segment, featuring her own campus experience and why she chose to study at Providence. Viewers were then taken on a tour led by Dr. Nicholas Greco through Muriel Taylor Hall, the brand-new facility on campus which includes residences, classrooms, lounges, kitchen space and more.
Alumnus Jason Mandryk spoke all the way from the United Kingdom about his experience as a Providence student and the impact he has been able to make on the worldwide church through Operation World.
“It was so encouraging to still feel that sense of connection with the wider community of Providence. Seeing that friends and alumni from across Canada and the world were able to join us confirmed that there was a unique opportunity in doing this event in a completely different way,” remarked Gina Turnbull, Annual Fund Development Coordinator at Providence.
President David Johnson invited participants to join in prayer for the challenges facing Providence, as well as join in giving financially to the institution as a thanksgiving gift for God’s faithfulness even during this pandemic time. The event saw more than $20,000 raised through gifts that will help Providence continue to offer a high-quality education, infused with Christian faith, to the leaders of tomorrow.
The evening concluded with a special performance by Howard and Joel Jolly, alumni and father-son duo, who warmed many hearts with their perfect harmonies in ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness.’
When asked about the decision to go virtual, Turnbull commented, “If we were to try anything new, now was the time. It was kind of exciting to be forced outside the box and to feel the support of those we spoke with, especially our sponsors, who said, ‘Hey, you can do this.’ We are so grateful for our community who joined us in a unique rendition of this annual celebration.”
