From left, Lisa Owen (WHSBG Executive Director), Paul Harding, Lori Harding (WHSBG Board Chair), and driving is Darryl Perrault at the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey fundraising Gala event. Submitted photo

From the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey

A lot of positive comments have been coming from those who attended this year's Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey ’60s themed fundraising Gala - it seems everyone had a groovy time. If not for the generosity of sponsors and donors and the many hours put in by numerous volunteers, it could not have been as groovy as it was. And the attendees were out of sight in so many ways.

Here at Women's House, we have an all-time high fundraising goal this year - to meet the gap between government funding and our expenses – of $137,000, and we hoped to make up one quarter of that at this event alone. We are happy to tell you that we exceeded our target for this event by almost $3,000, with our fundraising proceeds hitting an unprecedented amount of $35,000 for the ’60s Gala. We are thrilled to say that this covers almost 26% of our expense shortfall for the year with one fundraising event.

And this doesn't happen overnight, or without lots of work and generosity. It doesn't take an army, but it is amazing what can be done by a small group of dedicated 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 hats off our wonderful community of volunteers, community members, small businesses and corporations.

Our sponsors set the stage for our event, providing the basis for us to grow this Gala into the righteous evening that it was, and we can't thank them enough for supporting Women's House Serving Bruce & Grey and, in turn, supporting women and children in our area who have suffered from abuse.

Prestige Level Sponsor (over $3,000): Bruce Power, Greenfield Global; Corporate Level Sponsor ($1,200-$2999): Bruce Telecom, Matchett Finanacial Services - HollisWealth, The Cooperators, Linda & Keith Battler, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Armow Wind, Meridian Credit Union, Power Worker's Union, NWMO.

Without the support of these people, organizations and businesses, the Women's House Gala fundraiser would not be possible. A big thank you goes out to them for keeping Women’s House as part of their community-based funding priorities.

This event could not be a success without the support of the local businesses and community members who so graciously donated to support a cause near and dear to their hearts. They donated over 150 items for our silent and live auctions, resulting in almost $12,000 towards our Gala fundraising target. A huge thanks goes out to them for helping to make such a difference to abused women and children's lives. Special mention goes to Progressive Results Group (PRG) in Kincardine who has become Women's House Serving Bruce & Grey's promo sponsor and provided Women’s House with all of the graphic design expertise and printed promotional material for the Gala, and will continue to support us in this way for future events.

This community continues to be extremely generous to Women’s House, as demonstrated by this generosity and the vast array of auction items that were available for bidding.

The backbone of the event, those who were hidden behind the scenes, but absolutely essential, were the hardworking committee members, staff and volunteers who put in many hours to make this evening come together, and have been nothing short of amazing. Many thanks and good vibes to every one of the volunteers who helped out in any way, planning, gathering auction items, making phone calls, sending emails, making tissue paper flowers, preparing bid sheets and silent auction gift certificates, decorating, setting up, working at the Gala and cleaning up afterwards. Many hands make light work.

The stars of the event were the 165 attendees. Many were decked out in hippie clothes or mod outfits, enjoyed an evening filled with delicious food (served by the Queen's of Port Elgin), danced into the wee hours of the night to the tunes of Joe Carter (also our master of ceremonies and auctioneer), bidding on some really fab items during the live and silent auctions (all items donated by local businesses). Those in attendance played a funky trivia game (with an iPad Mini prize donated by Bruce Power), a Best Dressed contest and a spiffy Elimination Draw (third prize was four tickets to Bluewater Summer Playhouse's 2018 season; second prize was a $550 prize package from Surfsup in Kincardine; with the Grand Prize being a 1.5ct diamond bracelet provided by DC Taylor Jewellers in Owen Sound).

We would also like to thank the local media for all your support. You are all very kind and generous in your coverage and promotion of our events and announcements, and we wouldn't be where we are without you. Thank you for all you do.

It's sounds pretty out of sight, doesn't it? It was one righteous, cool, groovy, neato night. 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 in store for next year? Watch for sneak previews, early bird announcements and posters to announce the theme for the Gala in October of 2018.

This year was a gas, and you don't want to miss Gala 2018. Or, if you can't wait that long, come out to our International Women's Day Celebration in Port Elgin in March - it's got all the fun of a Gala, and it's only four months away.

Together, we can work towards increasing the level of awareness, and ultimately, eliminating violence.

I have to split now. Until we rap again... peace!

Rick Clarke and Marilyn Clarke dressed the part for the Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey fundraising Gala event. Submitted photo