Annual Women's House Fall Gala raises $30,000

The Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey held its most successful Fall Gala ever, Oct. 17, at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, raising $30,000 for the women's shelter.
 

“1980’s Prom” was the theme for the evening, and ruffles, bows, crinolines, and shoulder pads were everywhere, along with mullets and colourful suits.
 

The evening featured the lovely Auctionista, high-quality dinner entertainment provided by “Mike, Cathy and Paul”, and evening entertainment provided by DJ Joe Carter. Dinner was plated service and catered by the Queen’s Bar & Grill in Port Elgin. A great big thank you goes out to the Kincardine District Secondary School students who helped out Pier Donnini and his team from the Queen’s.
 

The Auctionista, Linda Leja, really got her groove on when the live auction started. First was a fun item - a First in Line Ribbon. After that, came the 10 different packages to bid on. The crowd really got into it and enjoyed when there was “a bid goin’” and waited for the time they could all yell “sold”. Thank you to the businesses that made the live auction a success as this was a record-breaking night, raising almost $8,000.
 

Next came trivia! Ninety-four people got up on the dance floor to compete in the trivia game featuring everything about '80s Prom. The prize was an Apple IPad Mini donated by Bruce Power. Competition was fun and fierce!
 

The elimination draw was once again the highlight of the evening. The winners were:
 

• Third prize - Tasty Trio-Munch and Sip in style for two at Chateau Des Charmes - Heather Shewfelt
• Second prize - VIP Wine Tour for 10 people at Flat Rock Cellars - Chris Conley
• First prize - a 14 KT White Gold Diamond Solitaire Pendant Necklace - donated by DC Taylor’s and Women’s House - Janice Matchett.

The silent auction was again a great success, raising almost $6,000. Appreciation goes to all of the great businesses in our communities who believe in, and support, this great event!

Along with the excitement generated by the draws and the anticipation of final bidding efforts, was a sense of charity. Women’s House is gratefully supported by residents of Grey and Bruce counties and could not provide services without fund-raised dollars.

“We certainly could not have obtained these successes without the support from our Prestige Sponsor: Bruce Power; and our Corporate Sponsors: Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Telecom, Greenfield Ethanol, Miller Insurance, Armow Wind, Meridian Credit Union, the Co-operators, Power Workers’ Union and, Matchett Financial Services,” said Tiffany Love. “Both the silent and live auctions were huge successes this year due to the continued support of local businesses.”

Women’s House was proud to host such a successful event and anticipates the upcoming International Women’s Day, March 8, 2016.