Onkar Kaur, a 17-year-old artist from Surrey, welcomed the guests with her guitar and melodic voice. Master of Ceremonies RCMP Sgt. Baltej Singh Dhillon captured the audience’s attention by narrating 3HO’s history in Vancouver and told the attendees about the next step for Camp Raj Yog which includes building more permanent infrastructure on the land that can support more programs all year long.

"Imagine a family Akhand Paath weekend at Camp Raj Yog where families can come together at this beautiful sacred centre only 2 hours from Vancouver, spend 1-3 days in nature and experience the sacred sound current of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib" says Sgt. Baltej Dhillon at the event. The $2 million fundraising goal was set last year as the target to establish the required infrastructure and buildings to sustain the growth in the programs.

Guru Raj Kaur Khalsa, a founder and director of 3HO Vancouver stated that the land is to be a home for camps and retreats where a spiritual lifestyle based on Sikh and yogic values are shared with all as well as a place for other organisations who wish to use it for their retreats / camps. Furthermore, Guru Raj Kaur and Baltej Singh pronounced that the site will be open to organizations of all faiths, ethnicities, and genders. Some of the uses they mentioned were Khalsa Ladies’ Camp (in its 18th year), Khalsa Men’s Camp (in its 5th) year, Sikh Youth Camps, Gurbani Kirtan Camps, Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Retreats, Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, Gatka Camps, Family Akhand Paath Weekends, and for other groups interested in a spiritual venue.

During the evening, Rama Singh Khalsa, the camp's fundraising coordinator shared the previous year's achievements which included establishing facilities such as several large tent halls, a temporary kitchen, on-site electricity and an outdoor shower complex. In 2008, several donors including Rick Doman of Doman Lumber stepped forward to provide materials to build all the facilities which were completed entirely by volunteer contribution.

Some of the highlights of the evening for all was the exhilarating exhibition of Gatka skills presented by the Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Gatka Akhaara troupe from Surrey, complete with clashing swords, axes and a display of various weapons used by traditional Sikh warriors.

The angelic voices and harp performed by Mirabai Ceiba and Nirinjan Kaur soothed and captivated the guests and made them melt with meditative music. The event was a tremendous success due to the overwhelming support of sponsors and community members.

Following the fundraising dinner, the fundraising drive continued. Sgt. Baltej Singh Dhillon and Guru Raj Kaur Khalsa and others travelled over 1500 kilometers to Prince George, Quesnel, and Williams Lake to visit Sikh Gurdwaras and play kirtan, share the vision of Camp Raj Yog and seek support. They returned raising more funds and energy for the project which included a $12,000 contribution by Gurnek Singh Sull of Quesnel, for the purchase of a high efficiency heating system that will provide comfort to the future 8000 sq ft main teaching centre and existing shower complex which will provide hot showers to attendees. Read more about the tour HERE.