Women's House 1960s Gala raises amazing $35,000

A lot of positive comments have been received from those who attended this year's 1960s-themed Gala in support of the Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey - it seems everyone had a "groovy" time! 

That's the word from Michelle Lamont, community and fund development co-ordinator, and part of the organizing team of the gala.

Held Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Davidson Centre, the event raised an unprecedented $35,000, thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors and the many hours put in by numerous volunteers.
 
"Women's House has an all-time-high fund-raising goal this year of $137,000," said Lamont. "That's the amount required to meet the gap between government funding and expenses. We hoped to make up one-quarter of that at the gala alone. And we are thrilled to say we exceeded our target by almost $3,000, with our fund-raising proceeds hitting an unprecedented amount of $35,000 for the gala! That covers almost 26 per cent of our expense shortfall for the year - on one fund-raising event!"
 
She said the hard work and dedication of a small group of people and businesses on a mission, combined with the willingness of others to help out and support where they know they’re needed most. "If you're hip to what I'm sayin', you'll know this means our wonderful community of volunteers, community members, small businesses and corporations."
 
The sponsors set the stage for the event, she said, supporting the Women's House, and the women and children in the area who have suffered from abuse:

Prestige-Level Sponsor (more than $3,000)

• Bruce Power
• Greenfield Global

Corporate-Level Sponsor ($1,200 to $2,999)

• Bruce Telecom
• Matchett Financial Services - HollisWealth
• The Co-operators
• Linda and Keith Battler
• Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
• Armow Wind
• Meridian Credit Union
• Power Workers' Union
• Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)

"Without the support of these people, organizations and businesses, the Women's House Gala fund-raiser would not be possible," said Lamont. "A big thank you goes out to them for keeping Women’s House as part of their community-based funding priorities."
 
She added that the event would not be a success without the support of the local businesses and community members who so graciously donated more than 150 items for the silent and live auctions, resulting in almost $12,000 toward the gala fund-raising.

Lamont added appreciation to the hard-working committee members, staff and volunteers who put in many hours to make this evening come together, They helped with planning, gathering silent/live auction items, making phone calls/E-mails, making tissue paper flowers, preparing bid sheets and silent auction gift certificates, decorating, setting up, working at the gala and cleaning up afterwards.
 
"But the stars of the event were the 165 attendees," said Lamont. "Many were decked out in hippie clothes or mod outfits, and enjoyed an evening filled with delicious food (served by the Queen's of Port Elgin), dancing into the wee hours of the night to the tunes of Joe Carter (also the MC and auctioneer), bidding on some really fab items during the live and silent auctions, playing a funky trivia game (with an iPad Mini prize, donated by Bruce Power), a best-dressed contest and a spiffy elimination draw."

The elimination draw featured a 1.5-carat diamond bracelet from DC Taylor Jewellers of Owen Sound as the grand prize; with a $550 prize package from Surfsup in Kincardine as second prize; and four tickets to the Bluewater Summer Playhouse's 2018 season as third prize.

"It was one righteous, cool, groovy, neato night," said Lamont. "If you missed it, that's too bad, but there's always next year. This year, there were love beads, go-go boots, bell bottoms and fringe - who knows what's up for next year! Watch for sneak previews, early bird announcements and posters to announce the theme for the gala in October, 2018."

She added that the International Women's Day celebration in Port Elgin, hosted by the Women's House, will be held in March next year. "It's got all the fun of a gala, and it's only four months away!"